# Orstkhoy

The Orstkhoy, historically commonly known under their exonyms: Karabulaks, Balsu, Baloy, are a historical ethnoterritorial society among the Chechen and Ingush peoples. Their homeland is in the upper reaches of the Assa and Fortanga rivers in the historical region of Orstkhoy-Mokhk (the Sernovodsky District and the border part of the Achkhoy-Martanovsky District of the Chechen Republic, Russia, as well as most of the Sunzhensky District of Ingushetia). In the tradition of the Chechen ethno-hierarchy, it is considered one of the nine historical Chechen tukkhums, in the Ingush tradition as one of the seven historical Ingush shahars.

## Name

The name Orstkhoy in their native language (Chechen or Ingush) is "Орстхой", written as "Orstxoj" in the old Latin writing system. Different theories exist around the origin of the word:
* 1. The theory of it coming from the word "Are" (Аре), which means plains or steppes, and respectively translating the word as the "inhabitants of the plains".
* 2. The theory of it coming from the river Arshtynka, proposed by Ya. Z. Ahmadov. According to this theory, the etymology of the river Arshtynka itself goes back to the Proto-Iranian word arashan, which according to Ya. Z. Akhmadov translates as "tasty/clean water".
* 3. The theory of the word Ershtkhoy coming from the three components – härashachu, khithepa and khoi. This theory proposed by A. S. Suleymanov, is explained by him as translating as "Black (from) the river of patrol (guard)". According to the researcher, the evolution of the change in this ethnonym could proceed approximately in the following way: Härzhachu khi thera khoi → Härsh hithera khoi → Harshtkhoy → Ershtkhoy.
* 4. The theory of it coming from the word ors (орс; other variants: арс, урс, ерс), whose root means "wooded mountain", less commonly "forest". This theory proposed by Ya. S. Vagapov [ru], was almost in the same way explained by another Chechen scientist A. D. Vagapov, however, the morpheme was in the form of arts (Chechen), oarts (Ingush) and ars (dialect). A. D. Vagapov translated the word as "wooded mountain" or "foothills". The pre-revolutionary publicist K. M. Tumanov [ru] erected ars/artsto the prehistoric period and found in Armenian and Georgian toponyms. In addition to the root, in the ethnonym Orstkhoy, Ya. S. Vagapov singled out suffixes -t- (toponymic), -x- (persons), -o- (nominal), as well as the plural ending -y. The researcher associated this ethnonym, for example, with the Orsoi [ru], raising these names close to the meaning of "forest-mountain people" or "forest people".
There's some other variants of the name such as Arshte, Arshtkhoy, Arstkhoy, Oarshtkhoy, Oarstkhoy, Ärshtkhoy or Ershtkhoy:
Variants of the name :
| Name | Romanization | Language | Author | Date |
| Arschte | Arschte | Ingush | Georg Hassel | 1821 |
| Арште Ариш-Тояй | Arshte Arish-Toyai | Ingush Chechen | S. M. Bronevsky [ru] | 1823 |
| Арштхой | Arshtkhoy | Ingush | F. I. Gorepekin [ru] | 2006 (c. 1900s) |
| Ærštxuoj | Arshtkhuoj | Ingush | A. N. Genko [ru] | 1930 |
| Арштхой Оарштахой | Arshtkhoy Oarshtakhoy | Ingush | Z. K. Malsagov [ru] | 1963 |
| Арстах Орстхой Арстхой Аьрстхой Эрштхой Арштхой | Arstakh Orstkhoy Arstkhoy Ärstkhoy Ershtkhoy Arshtkhoy | Chechen, Ingush | A. S. Suleymanov [ru] | 1978 |
| Оарштхой Оарстхой | Oarshtkhoy Oarstkhoy | Ingush | N. D. Kodzoev [inh] | 2021 |

## General information
### Ethnicity
#### Ingush origins

The first descriptions of the Orstkhoys by European authors in the second half of the 18th century identified them with the Ingush. The first author was J. A. Güldenstädt, who mentions the majority of Orstkhoy villages among other Ingush proper and opposes all of them together to the Chechens. Ten years later, L. L. Shteder, making notes about Karabulaks, gives an almost textbook description of the unique details of typical Ingush vestments, cited by travelers and authors of the late 18th-19th centuries, often replicated on the images of that era. The German scientist Professor Johann Gottlieb Georgi, in his fundamental encyclopedic Description of all the peoples living in the Russian state wrote about Karabulaks stating that, "Before anything they were called Yugush (Ingush), but they call themselves Arshtas", while another German scientist, P. S. Pallas, also states that the Karabulaks specifically come from the Ingush (Ghalghaï).
The German geographer and statistician Georg Hassel, in his geographical description of the Russian Empire and Dshagatai mentioned Orstkhoy as an Ingush tribe and also some of Orstkhoy ancestral villages as Ingush when enlisting the territorial division of the Ingush. Subsequently, S.M. Bronevsky confirmed the identity of the Orstkhoy with the Ingush. Just like Güldenstädt, S. M. Bronevsky also mentioned many Orstkhoy ancestral villages as Ingush in 1823. General Staff I.I. Nordenstamm in his "Brief Military statistical description" compiled from information collected during the expedition in 1832 stated that "the Kara-Bulakh language is similar to the Galash dialect, and the latter is similar to the Galgai and Kist dialects." Platon Zubov and Nikolay Danilevsky stated that the Kists, Ingush and Karabulaks all speak the same language. Nikolay Danilevsky also noted that the Chechen dialect differed from the root language.
In 1842, Nazranians and part of Karabulaks made an appeal to the Russian administration where they called themselves "Ingush people".
In the Russian Empire, on the basis of scientific, statistical and ethnographic data, the Orstkhoy were officially classified as Ingush alongside Galashians, Nazranians and other Ingush societies. In "Overview of the political state of the Caucasus" in 1840 as well as in the "Military Statistical Review of the Russian Empire" in 1851, the Orstkhoy are indicated as Ingush. The Orstkhoy were perceived as Ingush by Imperial Russia, as well as in the Imamate of Imam Shamil.
I. Ivanov, in his article "Chechnya" published in the Moskvityanin magazine, wrote that Chechnya borders on the west with the Ingush tribes Tsori, Galgai, Galash and Karabulak. The Czech-German biologist and botanist Friedrich Kolenati in his work about the Caucasians, wrote about the Orstkhoy as an Ingush tribe alongside Galashians, Kists and others. Adolf Berge in his work "Chechnya and Chechens" gave the following nomenclature of the Ingush: Nazranians, Karabulaks, Galashians, Dzherakh, Kists Galgai, Tsorins and Akkins. V. A. Volkonsky stated that the Ingush people consist of societies to which he added Orstkhoy and one of the subgroups of Orstkhoy – Merzhoy [ru]. A. Rzhevusky in his work "Tertsy" wrote about Karabulaks and Galashians as the restless and militant Ingush societies. According to V. Chudinov, the Karabulaks, Galashians and Alkhons are Ingush who belong to the Arshtkhoy tribe. According to Vasily Potto, Nazranians and Orstkhoy are Ingush societies who once formed one rather a significant and powerful tribe. Russian Count and Minister of War Dmitry Milyutin wrote in his memorials that the Orstkhoy are Ingush who made up part of the Ingush population of the Vladikavkazsky okrug.
Later in the 20th-21th centuries, the Orstkhoy as one of the Ingush societies were indicated by I. Pantyukhov, John F. Baddeley, G. K. Martirosian, E. I. Krupnov, N. A. Sotavov, M. S. Meyer and O. S. Pavlova.
In Soviet times, Orstkhoy were also officially included in the Ingush, as reflected on their passports. In Great Soviet Encyclopedia, Orstkhoy are indicated as Ingush. In the scientific community in the second half of the 20th to the early 21st century, the ethnicity of the Orstkhoy is defined as one of the Ingush societies. The Soviet historian and ethnographer E.I Krupnov in 1971 wrote in his book "Medieval Ingushetia" that the remaining Karabulaks (Orstkhoy) who don't consider themselves Chechens live in Ingushetia in villages such as Arshty, Dattykh, Bamut, Sagopshi.
In the censuses conducted before the Deportation, the vast majority of population of the tribal villages Sagopshi, Dattykh, Alkun, Sarali Opiev, Bamut, Gandalbos was Ingush.

#### Chechen origins
##### 18th century

The first descriptions of the Orstkhoys by European authors in the second half of the 18th century identified them with the Chechens. The first author was the German cartographer and printmaker Jacob von Staehlin [de] who in his work "Geographical menology for 1772" included the Karabulaks (Orstkhoy), Chechens, Atakhizs and also Tavlins in the territory of "Kumytskaya or Sandy land", also referred by him as the "Chechen land". J. A. Güldenstädt mentions that Karabulaks speak in a Chechen or Midzheg dialect of the Kistin language and that Chechens are often understood as the whole Kistin nation (in this case Nakh Peoples). In 1781, L.L. Städer, while making notes about the Karabulaks, mentions that the Chechens share with them one origin and language. Johann Gottlieb Georgi also mentions that the Karabulak language consists of Kistin and Chechen dialects."

##### 19th century

Many Russian and European authors noted during the early and late 19th century that the Orstkhoy tribe was part of the Chechen nation, among them Baron R. F. Rozen who in 1830 believed that the Chechens are divided … into societies under the name of Chechens themselves or Mechigiz, Kachkalyks, Mechikovites, Aukhites and Karabulaks (Orstkhoy) …" Nordenstam also remarked in 1834 that "Karabulaki (Orstkhoy), Aukhites and Kachkalyk people speak dialects of the Chechen language". Also of note is Nikolay Danilevsky who in 1846 noted that the Karabulaks are a subgroup of the Chechen nation. Ivanov connected a part of Karabulaks with the "Peaceful Chechens" and Kolenati referred to the land Karabulaks inhabit on as Chechnya. Russian colonels such as Baron Stahl mentioned the Orstkhoy by the Chechen self name "Nakhche" in 1849. The Russian-German general A.P. Berger in 1859 also connected the Chechen self name "Nakhche" to the Orstkhoy:
   “Here is the calculation of all the tribes into which it is customary to divide the Chechens. In the strict sense, however, this division has no basis. It is completely unknown to the Chechens themselves. They call themselves Nakhche, i.e. "people" and this refers to the entire people who speak the Chechen language and its dialects. The mentioned names were given to them either from auls, like Tsori, Galgaï, Shatoi, etc., or from rivers and mountains, like Michikovtsy and Kachkalyks. It is very likely that sooner or later all or most of the names we have given will disappear and the Chechens will retain one common name.
The military historian A. L. Zisserman, who served 25 years in the Caucasus, also mentions the Karabulaks in his book, stating "All this valley up to the right bank of the Terek River is inhabited…. Karabulaks and Chechens, etc., belonging by language and customs, with insignificant differences and shades, to one Chechen tribe (Nachkhė)." In the Bulletin of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society for 1859, Karabulaki-Orstkhois are noted as Chechens. 19th Century Caucasian military historian V. A. Potto also attributed the Karabulaks to the Chechen people. Historian N. F. Dubrovin in 1871 in his historical work History of war and dominion of Russians in the Caucasus states the following: in addition to these societies, the Chechen tribe is divided into many generations, which are named by Russians by the names of auls, or mountains, or rivers, in the direction of which their auls were located. For example, Karabulaki (Orstkhoevtsy), on a plain irrigated by the rivers Assa, Sunzha, and Fortanga, etc. Several encyclopedias of the late 19th and early 20th centuries attribute the Karabulaks (Orstkhoys) to the Chechen people
In 1862 after the Caucasus war several Orstkhoy villages (Meredzhi, Yalkharoy, Galai and the villages surrounding them) were put into the Ingushskiy Okrug until 1866 when they were ceded to the Argunskiy Okrug [ru] due to them belonging to the same nation as the locals (Chechen) and geographically closer to the central governance of the Okrug.

##### 20th century

The Soviet historian and ethnographer E.I Krupnov in 1971 noted in his book "Medieval Ingushetia" that at present time, the Karabulaks (Orstkhoy) are classified more as Chechens than Ingush in the scientific circles, without denying their proximity to the Ingush.
Soviet ethnographers like the famous N.G Volkova who interviewed Vainakh people noted that from her interviews in 1973 the Chechen highlanders identify Orstkhoy as "Nokhchi" (self-name of Chechens) but that Chechens living on the Martan river brought them closer to Ingush people. The Ingush however identified Orstkhoy as a separate nation whose language was closer to Chechen. The Orstkhoy themselves according to Volkova identified closer to "Nokhchi" (self-name of Chechens) and saw themselves as one nation with Chechens. The Orstkhoy also said that no one considers them Ingush but that they were written down as Ingush on their passports.

##### National census

The inhabitants of over 20 native highland villages of Orstkhoy: Tsecha-Akhke, Meredzhi, Gerite, Muzhgan, Yalkharoy, Galai etc. were all ethnic Chechens according to 5 censuses conducted before the deportation (1874-1926).

## History
### Formation of the society

The Orstkhoy formed from settlers that came from the mountain region, with the date of the formation ranging from second half of the 16th to beginning of 18th century. They are said to be the first ones to master the plains in the region.

### First mentions

The Orstkhoy first become known under the name Karabulaks in the document of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs signed by M. I. Vorontsov and A. M. Golitsyn dated 1763 in connection with the resettlement of a part of the Orstkhoys to the plain in the region of Aukh, modern day Dagestan. Later on, in the 70-90s of the same century, Orstkhoy are mentioned in the works of famous Western European and Russian authors such as J. A. Güldenstädt, L. L. Shteder, P. S. Pallas and others. Although the Orstkhoy were first mentioned in 1762 as Karabulaks, one of the sub-group of Orstkhoy, the Merzhoy [ru] clan (teip), is connected by some authors to the toponym Merezi mentioned in the documents of Russian Empire in the 1600s. The ethnonym Mereſchey mentioned in 1705 by Nicolaes Witsen is connected by some authors to Merzhoy as well.

### Contacts with Russian Empire

In the document of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs signed by M. I. Vorontsov and A. M. Golitsyn dated 1763, it is recorded how half of the Orstkhoy took an act of oath to the Endirey Kumyk prince Adji-Murtazali, and under the conditions they would accept Islam, settled in the plain area under Endirey (modern day Aukh region, Dagestan). Accordingly, since the Endirey Ullubii was already vassal of Russia, it was believed that the Orstkhoy were passing under the protection of Russia.
In 1771, Orstkhoy took act of oath to Russian Empire. However it is worth saying that even after the oath of individual Caucasian society or clans, their relations remained the same. In fact, both sides took these type of oaths as a conclusion union treaties.
In 1782, due to a request of Ossetians and Orstkhoy, the Russian Empire built a fortress near Tatartup [ru] to protect the Ossetians and Orstkhoy from the raids conducted by Kabardians and mountain Chechens.
In the 1780s, Sheikh Mansur tried to fully convert the semi-pagan Orstkhoy to Islam and bring them to his side against the Russians, he had some successes as the Orstkhoy at times joined his movement and promised to fulfill his demands. In the end Sheikh Mansur failed to fully bring the Orstkhoy to his side and due to that there were often clashes and raids. In mid-June, having gathered 1,000 fighters, Mansur moved to Orstkhoy-Mokhk, with the goal of converting the remaining pagan Orstkhoy. He was forced to leave after the arrival of Russian detachments, however.

### Caucasian War

During the Caucasian War, Orstkhoy bitterly resisted the Russian expansion in the region and were commonly referred as "un-ruly" or "half-conquered" by the Russian Empire, as they never really did bow under the Russian rule and continued on making raids on Russian royal fortifications and settlements.
In 1822, Ingush and Karabulaks together with Chechens participated in two Uprisings of Chechnya, which happened in the same year, against the Russian Empire.
During the beginning of 19th century, there was number of punitive expeditions made against Orstkhoy by the Russian Empire:
* In 1807, by Russian troops led by Major General P. G. Likhachev [ru]. Military historian V. A. Potto called this act "the last feat of Likhachev's fifteen years of service in the Caucasus".
* In 1825, by Russian troops to the Orstkhoy settlements along the rivers of Assa and Fortanga.
In 1827, Orstkhoy swore allegiance to Russia (i. e. recognized Russian citizenship) along with some other North Caucasian peoples, thanks to the actions of the commander of the troops on the Caucasian Line, in the Black Sea and Astrakhan (as well as the head of the Caucasus Governorate) – General G. A. Emmanuel. Emmanuel was rewarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky for this accession because accordingly, it was "made not by force of arms, but smart orders".
In March 1840, the Galashian and Orstkhoy societies participated in the uprising of Chechnya and with their deputies together with Chechens solemnly swore allegiance to Imam Shamil in the large center village of Lesser Chechnya, Urus-Martan, thus becoming part of the Caucasian Imamate. The Orstkhoy district (naibstvo) of Imamate was known as Vilayet Arshtkhoy and it existed up until 1851, when it was disestablished after being conquered by Russian Empire.
As the letter of Muhammad Amin Asiyalav dating back to October 1848 states, the Naib of Vilayet Arshtkhoy (Arshtinskoe Naibstvo) was selected Muhammad-Mirza Anzorov, a Kabardian naib, who also at the time ruled Minor Chechnya as the district of Imamate:
   "From the knowledgeable mudir, adherent of Islam Muhammadamin to his generous brothers and glorious friends, the valiant, zealous, brave inhabitants of Kalai and Arashdi – salam is constant.
   And then – obedience to the imam is the duty of every person, and helping Islam is the duty of men.
   You should obey the one who is placed over you, and he is our faithful brother Muhammadmirza."
In 1858, Orstkhoy, together with the Nazranians, the Galashians and the inhabitants of the Tarskaya Valley, took part in one of the episodes of the Great Caucasian War, the Nazran uprising, which was suppressed by Russia and its leaders executed or exiled.

### As part of the Russian Empire

After the end of Caucasian War, Orstkhoy were part of the Ingushskiy Okrug as part of the Karabulakskiy Uchastok. In 1865, several thousand Orstkhoys were evicted/resettled in Turkey, in particular 1366 families, in fact, the majority of them. The Karabulakskiy Uchastok itself was abolished due to the mass eviction of its inhabitants. In the ESBE it was even reported that the Orstkhoy are a tribe that "completely moved to Turkey". John F. Baddeley noted in his work The Russian Conquest of the Caucasus:
   "After Shamil's fall, a large numbers of the Ingoushee, and notably the clan known as the Karaboulaks, who have left their names to the Cossack stanitsa, took part in the emigration of the Muhammadan tribes to Turkey, while those who remained have since acquired an evil reputation as the most daring highway robbers and assassins in the Caucasus."

## Notable people

* Astemir, abrek, naib of Caucasian Imamate.
* Batal Hajji Belkhoroev (1824 – 1911), sheikh, imam, the founder of Batal Hajji wird.
* Dzhokhar Dudaev (1944 – 1996), Soviet Major General, leader of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.
* Isa Munayev (1965 – 2015), Brigadier General of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and commander of the Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion.
* Akhmed Khuchbarov (1894 - 1956), abrek, guerilla fighter and warlord who led an vainakh resistance against the Soviet regime for 27 years up until his death in 1956.
* Maksharip Muzhukhoev (1942 – 2015), archeologist, historian (doctor of historical sciences).
* Tamerlan Gorchkhanov (1932 – 1994), Minister of Health and Social Protection of Ingushetia.
* Tarko Hajji Gardanov (1850 – 1920), imam, political and military figure, participant of Russian Civil War.
* Sulumbek of Sagopshi (1878 – 1911), abrek.