Russian Conquest of the Caucasus

In this episode, we focus on the Russian Conquest of the Caucasus, tracing the 19th-century military expansion that brought the region between the Black and Caspian Seas under imperial control. We explore Russia’s prolonged conflicts with local mountain communities and rival empires such as the Ottomans and Qajar Iran, alongside the annexation of Georgia and key khanates that shaped the borders of modern Armenia and Azerbaijan. The discussion also highlights the cultural ripple effects of conquest, including the rise of the “Literary Caucasus,” where writers like Pushkin and Tolstoy grappled with themes of empire, identity, and freedom. While the campaign culminated in Russia’s decisive victory by 1864, we examine its lasting human impact, including displacement, cultural transformation, and the strategic importance of mountain passes and coastal ports in defining the modern Caucasus.