The Battle of Djemptlokh, also known as the Ambush at the Sacred Grove, took place in 1841 during the Russo-Circassian War between the forces of the Russian Empire and the Abadzekh tribe of the Circassians.
Background
In 1841, during the Russo-Circassian War, General G. X. Zass led a Russian military expedition between the Belaya (Shaguash) and Pshikh rivers in the Caucasus region, aiming to subdue the Circassian tribes and assert Russian dominance over the area.[1]
This area included the Jemtlokh Forest, a sacred site for the Circassians, who revered it as dedicated to the god Tkhagalegu. The local tribes fiercely protected this holy land and held annual rituals, including sacrifices, at this site.[2] The Circassians believed that violating the sacred grove would bring divine retribution.[3]
Battle
Zass' forces were ambushed by the Circassians, who used their knowledge of the terrain and guerrilla tactics to inflict heavy casualties on the Russian troops. Zass himself was wounded in the engagement.[4]
The Circassians believed that their god had punished Zass for violating the sacred grounds of the forest.[5] The attack resulted in heavy Russian losses and forced the troops to retreat.[6]
Aftermath
The Russian defeat in this raid was a temporary setback, but it did not significantly hinder the overall Russian expansion. Nevertheless, the Circassians' successful defense of their sacred forest boosted their morale.[7]
References
- ^ Шортанов, А. (1993). Во время покорения Кавказа. Набег генерала Засса на Джемтлохский лес. Военно-историческое обозрение.
- ^ "Джемтлохский лес – священное место адыгов". Галерея-РА. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ Сталь, К. (1848). Этнографический очерк черкесского народа. Санкт-Петербург.
- ^ Дубровин, Н. Ф. (1871). История войны и владычества русских на Кавказе. Том I. Книга I. Очерк Кавказа и народов его населяющих. Черкесы (Адыге). Санкт-Петербург.
- ^ Белл, Джеймс (1840). Дневник пребывания в Черкесии в течение 1837, 1838, 1839 гг. Edward Moxon.
- ^ "Джемтлохский лес: священное место адыгов". Галерея-РА. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ Дубровин, Н. Ф. (1871). История войны и владычества русских на Кавказе. Санкт-Петербург.