Sheikh Mansur

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Sheikh Al Mansur

Sheikh Al Mansur ("The Leader") was a Chechen leader who lead the resistance against Catherine the Great's imperialist expansion into the Caucasus during the late 18th century. He remains a legendary national hero of the Chechen people.

Early life

1732:A Chechen named Ushurma was born in the aul of Aldy near the Sunja River. Ushurma would become one of the first resistance leaders in the name of freedom and Islam. He became known as Sheikh Mansur. A legend holds that Mansur was actually an Italian monk.

Chechen leader

1784:Ushurma, now imam and called Sheikh Mansur, becomes upset with Russian encroachment in the North Caucasus.Proclaims holy war, called Ghazawat(offensive), against the Russians to the north. Having been trained in Daghestan under strict Islamic law, he returned to the land of the Noxche. He ordered the Noxche to stop practicing many of their old pagan traditions with the cult of the dead, to stop smoking tobacco, to replace the customary laws (adats) with Islamic law (shariat) and to attempt Islamic unity. This was not easy in a land where people had lived under ancient traditions, customs and religions. Islamic tradition in the land of the Noxche, especially in the mountains, was not as strong as it was in Daghestan. But the holy war that he declared was an attempt at unity. 1785: Sheikh Mansur's destroyed Russian forces in the Battle of the Sunja River. Historical documents show that Russian Colonel Pieri and more than 600 Russians were killed in this battle. Sheikh Mansur rallies resistance fighters from Daghestan through Kabarda. Most of the forces are Daghestani and Chechen, numbering more than 12,000 by December 1785. However, Mansur suffers a defeat when he tries to enter Russian territory and fails to take over the fort in Kizlyar. And subsequently loses a battle in Kabarda. After this, the Russians refortified their settlements, but Catherine the Great withdrew forces from Georgia to the Terek River Line. 1786: Catherine the Great abandons the new fort of Vladikavkaz, and would not occupy it again until 1803. 1787-1791: Russian-Turkish War. Sheikh Mansur moves to northwestern Caucasus region of Adygei, strengthening Islamic tradition there. Led Adygei and Nogai people in assaults against the Russians, but was defeated many times. In June 1791, Sheikh Mansur was captured at the Turkish fortress of Anapa on the Black Sea. He was brought to St. Petersburg and imprisoned for life. Russia 1789: Hamza Bek ibn Ali Iskandar Bek al-Hutsali (Gamzat Bek) born in one of the largest Avar villages in Daghestan. 1794: Sheikh Mansur dies in prison. He becomes a legend and hero to the Chechen people. His military victories and defeats were written throughout Europe. 1796 or 1797: Shamil is born, first as Ali, but then his name was changed to Shamil when he was born sickly. Born in Daghestan near Ashilta. Grows up to be strong and athletic and tall.

Cultural references

• Leo Tolstoy's Hadji Murat describes Mansur as a great and revered imam.