Construction of wells on the territory of non-native steppes of the Stavropol province in the late 19th–early 20th centuries: historical analysis and socio-economic significance

This study, based on archival data, examines the situation with water supply in the territory of the nomadic peoples of the Stavropol province in the late 19th — early 20th centuries. During the period under study, water supply was mainly associated with the construction of wells, including artesian wells. The article describes in detail the possibilities and conditions for the creation of such wells, as well as the specific circumstances and difficulties that the steppe dwellers encountered during their construction. A study of water supply in the nomadic steppes of the Stavropol province shows that the creation of artesian wells was a difficult, complex and expensive process. To successfully complete such complex tasks, not only knowledge and experience were required, but also a certain determination on the part of the authorities and society. Public judgments of nomadic societies emphasized the importance and urgency of solving the water supply in foreign territories. The local administration helped in every way in finding specialized firms and specialists who could, if possible, accurately find water veins in the steppes, quickly and efficiently drill artesian wells. Thanks to the work carried out, not only did the water supply of the population improve, but problems with watering for livestock were also solved. The presence of man-made water resources in the form of artesian wells and natural reservoirs also contributed to the development of gardens and forests. The use of artesian wells contributed to the implementation of measures aimed at preventing desertification in the steppe regions where tribes roamed. In addition, high-quality water supply stimulated the transition of nomads to a sedentary lifestyle. In general, the development of water resources of the steppes of the Stavropol province, of course, was of great importance for the region as a whole and the steppe arid regions in particular in terms of socio-economic development, in economic and everyday life.

1. Ageyev, V.N. (1909). Artesian wells and information about boreholes of the Stavropol province, compiled by mining engineers V.N. Ageyev and A.D. Stopnevich. Stavropol: Printing house of the provincial government 1909.

2. Amaeva, D.V., Komandzhaev, A.N., Matsakova, N.P., Okonova, L.V. (2019). Water supply of the Kalmyk steppe of the Astrakhan province in the 19th — early 20th centuries: problems and solutions. Bylye Gody. 3. 53. 1017-1024.

3. Badmaeva, E.N. (2020). The problem of water supply in the conditions of nomadic economy (on the example of the Kalmyk steppe in the late 19th — early 20th centuries) Bulletin of Tomsk State University. № 457. 85–93.

4. Badmaeva, E. N., Kidirniyazov, D. S., Magomayev V. Kh. (2021) Natural and climatic factors in the economic activity of nomadic peoples of the Caspian region. Questions of history. 10–2. 223–234.

5. Bentkovsky, I. V. (1868). Do the waters and steppes of the Bolshederbetovsky ulus correspond to the conditions for the colonization of the Kalmyks? Collection of statistical information on the Stavropol province. 1.1. 105–112.

6. State Archives of the Stavropol Territory (hereinafter GASK)

7. Komanjaev, A. N. (1999). Economy and social relations in Kalmykia in the late 19th — early 20th centuries: historical experience and modernity. Elista: APP “Dzhangar”.

8. Kochekaev, B. B. (1973) Socio-economic and political development of the Nogai society in the XIX — early XX centuries. Alma-Ata; [Cherkessk]: Stavropol book publishing house. Karachay-Cherkess branch.

9. Lebedinsky, A. A. (1925). Bolshe-Derbetovsky Ulus in the second half of the XIX century: a socio-economic essay. Kalmyk region. 2. 99-123.

10. Lebedinsky, A. A. (1925). Bolshe-Derbetovsky Ulus in the second half of the XIX century: a socio-economic essay. Kalmyk region. 3. 52-69.

11. Lidzhieva, I. V. (2016). The problem of water supply in the Kalmyk steppe at the beginning of the XX century (based on the materials of aimak and khoton verdicts). Magna Adsurgit: Historia Studiorum. 1. 61-70.

12. Lidzhieva, I. V. (2022). Imperial policy on irrigation of the Kalmyk steppe in the second half of the 19th — early 20th centuries. News of the Chechen State University. 4(28). 113–118.

13. National Archives of the Republic of Kalmykia (hereinafter NARK)

14. Memorandum book of the Stavropol province for 1909 (1908). Stavropol: Printing house of the provincial government.

15. Farforovsky, S. V. (1911). Trukhmens (Turkmens) of the Stavropol province. Kazan: Typo-lithography of the Imperial University.

16. Fostikov, L. (1870). On the methods of water supply in the Trukhmyasnk steppes. Collection of statistical information on the Stavropol province. 3. 1. 85–94.

17. Shcheglov, I. L. (1910). Trukhmens and Nogais of the Stavropol province. 1. Stavropol: Printing house of the provincial government.