Cossack Hosts in Russian Empire

y the end of the 19th century the number of Cossack groups had expanded to 11, including the Don (Donskie kazaki), Kuban (Kubanskie kazaki), Terek (Terskie kazaki), Astrakhan (Astrahanskie kazaki), Ural (Ural'skie kazaki), Orenburg (Orenburgskie kazaki), Semirechen (Semirechenskie kazaki), Siberian (Sibirskie kazaki), Transbaikal (Zabaikal'skie kazaki), Amur (Amurskie kazaki) and Ussuri (Ussurijskie kazaki).

In tsarist Russia the Cossacks usually lived in special settlements near the country's borders, in Cossack villages/towns (stanitsa) and garrisons. Cossacks had to be ready for war at any time, and in case of enemy invasion, Cossack lands would naturally become a first line of defense.

In the figure below you can see on the map of the Russian Empire (1914) where the major Cossack Hosts were located geographically. Click on the image map to read more on the specific Cossack Host. The numbers on the map refer to:

1. The Don Host
2. The Kuban Host
3. The Terek Host
4. The Astrakhan Host
5. The Ural Host
6. The Orenburg Host
7. The Semirechen Host
8. The Siberian Host
9. The Transbaikal Host
10. The Amur Host
11. The Ussuri Host

spm111@yandex.ru

Copyright В© 1996-2002 Cossack Web. All rights reserved.