Government policy of Russia on the development of the Transcaucasian Steppes in 1894–1917 (on the Example of the Mugan Steppe)

The article examines the main stages of the Russian colonization of the desert spaces of the Transcaucasus in 1894–1917 (on the example of the Mugan steppe). The measures of the central government for the development of this colonization region are shown. The emphasis is made on the consideration of hydraulic engi-neering works in the region aimed at irrigating arid desert spaces for their Russian colonization. The opinions and suggestions of the resettlement policy in Transcaucasia, expressed by both the St. Petersburg administrators and the local authorities, are presented. The resettlement policy of St. Petersburg administrators
in the Tran-scaucasus in 1894–1917 are considered in close relations with the socio-economic situation in the region, as well as the the Russian Empire’s policy in the Caucasus. The colonization of new lands at the edge of empire was a state building priority not only economic policy ones. It is concluded that there are contradictory assessments of the results of the resettlement policy of the
Russian Empire in this region.