A parcel-gilt and niello-mounted flint-lock pistol

1818 was the year that the Groznaia Fortress was erected and when the forest around the fortress was cut down. It was also during the pacification of the Caucasus, developed by General Ermolov who was Commander of the region from 1816. The main guidelines were a methodical pacification by the sword, followed by an internal pacification acheived by subjugation, firm and at the same time kind.
The pacified parts of the Caucasus were unified with the building of fortresses such as Grosnaia and Vnezapnaia which constituted the 'Line.'