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Ilya ArapovParticipant of the Pugachev Rebellion, ataman of the detachment
Date of Birth: 01.01.1738
Country:  Dive |
Content:
Origins and Early Life
Ilya Fyodorov, later known as Arap, was born as a serf peasant in the Orenburg province. His exact date and place of birth are unknown. Prior to the Pugachev Uprising, he had been a fugitive from his master, Orenburg landowner Arapov, who later gave him his surname.
Joining the Pugachev Uprising
In October 1773, with the arrival of Pugachev's army in Berdskaya Slobodia, Arap joined the rebels. His energy and peasant acumen caught Pugachev's attention, and he was given the task of organizing supplies for the rebel army in the Samara district.
Conquests and Defeats
Arap surpassed his assignment by leading his peasant detachment to capture the fortresses of Buzuluk, Krasnosamarskaya, and Alekseevskaya. On December 25th, he seized Samara without a fight. However, his success was short-lived. On December 29th, a government force led by Premier Major K.I. Muyfel defeated Arap's detachment in the Battle of Samara, forcing him to abandon the city.
Despite these setbacks, Arap's detachment fought tenaciously, defending the fortresses they had captured and inflicting losses on government troops at Alekseevsk (January 7, 1774), Buzuluk (February 14), and Sorichinsk (March 6).
Final Stand and Death
On March 20th, Arap's reinforced detachment joined Pugachev's army at Tatishcheva Fortress, preparing for a decisive battle against the combined forces of Generals Golitsyn, Mansurov, and Freiman. In the Battle of Tatishcheva Fortress on March 22nd, Arap met his end along with many of his comrades.
