Vitebsk Governorate
Nevel was founded in the 16th century and first mentioned in 1580. The region was changing hands multiple times between Russia and Poland; eventually it went to Poland and stayed there until Poland's First Partition in 1772, when it was included into newly established Pskov Governorate, a giant administrative unit comprising what is currently Pskov Oblast and a considerable part of Belarus. In 1773, Nevel was chartered, and the territory was organized as Nevesky Uyezd of Pskov Governorate. In 1777, it was transferred to Polotsk Viceroyalty. In 1796, the viceroyalty was abolished and the territory was transferred to Belarus Governorate; since 1802 to Vitebsk Governorate. After 1919, Vitebsk Governorate was a part of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. In 1924, Vitebsk Governorate was abolished and Nevelsky Uyezd was transferred to Pskov Governorate.