1S2
of Anika StrogonofF. Yermac, inftead of ftorming the
place, and pillaging the inhabitants, afled with a degree
of moderation unufual in a chief of banditti. Being
hofpitably received by StrogonofF, and fupplied with
every thing that was neceflary for the fubfiftence of his
troops, he fixed his winter quarters at that fettlement.
His reftlefs genius however did not fufFer him to continue
for any length of time in a ftate of inactivity ; and from
the intelligence he procured concerning the fituation of
Determines w neighbouring Tartars of Siberia, he turned his arms invade-Siberia. . <-> o
toward that quarter.
state of Siberia was at that time partly divided among a num-
Siberia.
ber of feparate princes ; and partly inhabited by the
various tribes of independent Tartars. Of the former
Kutchum Chan was the moft powerful Sovereign. His
dominions coniifted of that tradl of country which now
forms the South Weftern part of the province of Tobolfk;
and flretched from the banks of the Irtifli and Oby to
thofe of the Tobol and Tura. His principal refidence
was at Sibir % a fmall fortrefs upon the river Irifh, not
far
* Several authors have luppofed the name o f Siberia to derive its
origin from this fortrefs, foon after it was firft taken by the Ruffians
under Yermac. But this opinion is adyanced. without fufficient foundation
; for the name o f Sibir was unknown to the Tartars, that fort being
by them called Ilker. Befides, the Southern part o f the province of
TohoUk, to which the name o f Siberia was originally applied, was thus
deno-
C O N Q J J E S T O F S I B E R I A . 1,003,
far from the prefent town of Tobolfk; and of which
fome ruins are Hill to be feen. Although his power
was very confiderable, yet there were fome circumstances
which feemed to enfure fuccefs to an enterpriz-
ing invader. He had newly acquired, a large part of
his territories by conqlicit; and had, in a great meafure,
alienated the affedlions of his idolatrous fubjects by the
intolerant zeal, with which he introduced'and difTeminated
the. Mahometan religion
StrogonofF did not fail of difplaying to Yermac this
inviting pofture of affairs, as well with a view of removing
him from his prefent flation, as becaufe he himfelf
was perfonally, exafperated againft Kutchum Chan : for
the latter had fecretly inftigated a large body of Tartars
to invade the Ruffian fettlements upon the river Tchuflb-
vaia; and had afterwards ' commenced open hoflilities ■
againft them with a body of forces under the command
o f his coufin Mehemet Kuh. And although both thefe
attempts had failed of fuccefs, yet the troops engaged in
them had left behind traces of havock and devaftation too >
lafting to be eafily effaced t.
1 ! "•; ■■ ' ': 7 ’ l'lk';
denominated by the Ruffians before the invafion o f Yermac. Thih
denomination probably firft came from the Permians and Sirjanians, ,
who brought the, firft accounts o f Siberia to the Ruffians. -
S. R. G. VI. p. 18d* •
* S. R. G . V I . p. 180. .
sh Fif. Sib. Gef. I, p. 187.
All