Russian Tzar’s Peace Trick    

       Whole Tzardom tresures and outstanding Caucasian sources were laid under Shamil’s foot. For all these worldly treasures, all Tzar wanted Shamil be loyal and friend of him. After the General’s speech he said, “my praying time” and went near his guards turn his back to him enemy and his face to Allah, he prayed namaz there. After a while, Shamil turns to that delegation and said, “General! Go and tell Nicola, if he were here instead of you and dared to make this pitiful proposal, my whip would give my first and only answer to him.”

       Reveiving a severe answer to his immoral proposal, Tzar did not give up and required Shamil second time to discuss peace conditions through his generals. Shamil sent him this letter which are kept in Caucasian Archives in Petersburg:

      “Being a  worthless of all the warriors fighting for the independence of Caucasia, I am a true and honest Muslim who does not sacrifice Allah’s protection against Tzar’s sovereign. I told before to General Klugenav many times that I do not recognize Tzar Nicola I, and claim that his power will not be effective on these mountains. 

      You are inviting me to Tiflis to meet with Tzar even if these words had not been uttered. I announce you with this letter that I will not accept this invitation. I will not change my decision even if I knew that my mortal body would be put in thousands pieces and my home land would be destroyed wholly. My answer is that all. Be told to Tzar Nicola and his slaves. (Gimri, September 28th, 1838)." Tzar could not reach his aim by politics and tried to use his all power. According to Tzar, “This was a Crusade. Cross should defeat Crescent. Russia laying from China to Turkey should win the war.” In the spring of 1839 three revenge armies move to the region under the coordination of General Golovin. Shamil wanted to expand this independence war in Daghestan all over the Caucasia against Tzar’s imperial policies. For this aim, he made speeches in every mosque and called the public for form a union. General Golovin wanted reserve troops for his strong army of 30,000 soldiers, and he attacked on Ahulgoh. Mahutili Ahmed Han made an agreement with Tzar and fought for Russia with his 3 thousand men. Shamil was surrounded in Ahulgoh with his 3 thousand loyal men.

      Apart from lack of warriors, they also had unsufficient armory, water and food. On the other hand, women and children were in poor situation. These were all the facts that weakened power of Imam. Tzar Nicola I, whom he gave his son as hostage, wanted  Shamil as prisoner in Petersburg more than Caucasia from his generals. They could not got Ahulgoh despite they surrounded the city with an army of 40 thousand soldiers and heavy artillery shooting for months. At last, General of Tzar sent messengers to Shamil for convince him to yield. They received the following answer; “It is worthless to propose slavery to such people who embrace death as beloved and longing to die for Allah. Go to General Grabe say that if he has humanity a bit, we will armistice for a fortnight in order to take poor women and innocent children out of the castle and burry thousands of our dead soldiers. We will think of the rest after it.” The officer brought Shamil’s proposal to the General and came back after a couple of hours. The general would accept an armistice for a fortnight but he wanted one of his sons as a hostage. Imam gave at once his difficult decision; “Take Cemaleddin.”

      While Cemaleddin were being brought to Russian headquarters on 10 August, Shamil immediately ordered to take heavily injured soldiers, women and children out of the castle through mountain passages and also to burry the dead soldiers. He had no confidence in Russians. Really, Russian commander did not keep his promise of an armistice for a fortnight and turned all his weapons toward Ahulgoh. Imam Shamil gave his last order to men ready for death, “You, Ahulgoh guards, peerless honor of these mountains, leave this liar and coward enemy get close until this city walls which has become a pile. Let them walk freely come to this range and let them think that we have all died. Should I tell what you will do when they are in range of your swords?” According to General Grabe's plan Shamil would yield on 28 August 1839. He thought to give Ahulgoh to Tzar Nicola I as present for his name day. Siege ended on 29 August. Half of the Russian forces were destroyed in this siege lasted in 80 days; three thousand Russian soldiers were killed. On the other hand, Shamil’s losses were only 300 soldiers. Russians missed Shamil. Imam Shamil colud take only his guns while escaping from Ahulgoh   and had to leave his other personal belongings and books there.

      After Ahulgoh war, this landless people moved to Chechenia. After this severe fight and a long walk, Imam arrived in Chechen country, leaving behind Grabe’s plans, who was Tzar’s great hope. Carrying on his organization in Chechen country, Imam also watched Russian activities in the region. Imam sent this letter to General Grabe when he learnt that big prizes were put on his head: “I am very proud of gaining importance and worth that you had given for my mortal head. But unfortunately, I will not give a single kepik (a penny) not only for your head, but also for Tzar’s crowned head.”

      On the other hand, Tzar Nicola I sent this answer for General Grabe's report as if he won a victory; “It’s pity that Shamil had escaped. Although he had lost most of his armory and many of his loyal and brave men, I am afraid that this man would be problem for as again. I confess my anxiety here.” General Grabe tried every method in order to intimidate Shamil. And once he sent this message: "Don’t forget that His Excellency Tzar has so much gunpowder that can exploits the whole Caucasia.” Shamil gave his famous anwer to this threat: "Believe in Nicola if he tells you that he can take the moon to the earth, but do not believe him if he tells you that he can touch the crescent on the minaret of Dargo Mosque.”