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Vasiliy PerovskiyOrenburg military governor.
Country:
 Russia |
Biography of Vasily Perovsky
Vasily Alexeyevich Perovsky was a military governor in Orenburg from 1833 to 1842 and a general governor in Orenburg and Samara from 1851 to 1857. Historians refer to this period as the "Time of Perovsky" or the "Golden Age of the Orenburg Region" because of the significant changes that occurred under his leadership. Perovsky's main goal was to improve and develop the Orenburg region so that it could serve as an example for the rest of Russia.
Perovsky was an extraordinary individual, highly educated and talented in various fields. He spoke several foreign languages and had a passion for music, poetry, and painting. Despite his artistic inclinations, Perovsky possessed a strong will, an independent character, and a clear understanding of his goals and how to achieve them. These qualities allowed him to become not just a good administrator but an outstanding statesman.
Throughout his career, Perovsky gained the favor of the rulers despite spending most of his life away from the royal court and the glamour of the capital. He earned his titles and positions through his own intelligence and hard work, even though he was not entitled to inherit his father's title. Perovsky's mother, Maria Mikhailovna Sobolevskaya, was a commoner who worked in various positions for Count Razumovsky. Perovsky and his siblings were named after the Razumovsky estate, Perovo, and were considered "wards" of the count. All of the Perovsky brothers received excellent education and made a notable impact on Russian history.
Vasily Alexeyevich Perovsky, the youngest of his brothers, was born on February 9, 1795, in the village of Pochep in the Chernigov Governorate. He received his education in Moscow, graduating from Moscow University in 1811. After graduation, he joined the Muravyovskaya School of Column Carriers and became an ensign in 1811.
During the war of 1812, Perovsky served in the rearguard of the 2nd army commanded by Bagration. He even participated in the Battle of Borodino, where he lost his index finger on his left hand. He carried a silver fingertip as a reminder of the battle, sparking various rumors about how he lost his finger. Perovsky continued to serve in the military and was captured by the French in September 1812 when he was accidentally invited for a conversation with the Neapolitan King Murat. He experienced the horrors and humiliations of captivity until he was finally liberated by the Russian army in 1814.
After the war, Perovsky served as an adjutant to General Golitsyn-Kutuzov and accompanied Grand Duke Nicholas Pavlovich (later Emperor Nicholas I) on his travels throughout Russia and other countries. In 1818, he became Nicholas's adjutant and played a role during the "Decembrist uprising" on December 14, 1825, where he was injured by a blow to his back.
In 1827, Emperor Nicholas I sent Perovsky to investigate the causes of disorder in the Black Sea region. During his mission, he discovered the misconduct of the Black Sea Cossack Ataman Vlasov and exposed his abuses. Perovsky then participated in the Russo-Turkish War, taking part in the storming and capture of Anapa and later Varna. However, he was wounded in the chest during the siege of Varna, which affected his health, particularly his lungs.
On June 28, 1828, Perovsky was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed to the suite of His Imperial Highness. He also received the Order of St. Anna and was sent to Italy to visit his dying niece, the relative of his close friend Zhukovsky. After his return, he served as the director of the Navy Staff Office and joined the Fleet Navigators Corps.
In 1833, Perovsky unexpectedly received the important position of military governor of Orenburg and the commander of the Orenburg Corps. He was the youngest governor the region had ever seen, as previous governors were older and more experienced. Perovsky immediately surrounded himself with talented and educated individuals who were passionate about improving the region. He recruited people like V.I. Dahl, F.K. Zan, N.V. and Ya.V. Khandykov, and I.V. Vitkevich.
During his tenure, Perovsky focused on protecting the Russian population from the raids of nomadic tribes by establishing a chain of fortifications and pickets along the border. He also implemented various measures to boost trade and increase revenue for the treasury. However, he faced challenges and occasional uprisings from the nomadic tribes, which required military intervention.
In 1839, Perovsky led an expedition against the Khanate of Khiva, which aimed to remove the troublesome Khan and replace him with a more compliant Sultan. The campaign faced numerous difficulties and ultimately ended in failure, causing Perovsky to feel a heavy burden of guilt. Despite his disappointment, Perovsky continued to serve in various government positions until his death.
Vasily Perovsky returned from his campaign on the night of April 14, 1840, exhausted and burdened with the guilt of his failure. He had endured numerous hardships and faced significant challenges during his military and administrative career. Despite the setbacks, Perovsky's dedication to his country and his vision for the Orenburg region left a lasting legacy and made him an outstanding statesman in Russian history.
