Cossacks are a class of Eastern Slavic people that numbered over 4 million by the start of the 20th century. They emerged in the 14th-15th centuries, forming democratic communities in the great river basins of what is now southern Russia and Ukraine.
Since their early days they had maintained the traditions of military training in their families, were excellent horse riders and brave and skilful soldiers.
The Cossacks had the coolest traditional-costume: a long coat known as a chokha with integrated cartridge pouches and lots of silver braid. This costume was widespread in that part of Russia, being worn by Georgians, Chechens and Azeris since 900 AD
Cossacks themselves called themselves the villagers, and the word “Cossack”, meaning both “Runaway” and “free man”,
The Kazbegi family
1925
He looks a bit like Robert De Niro, this guy! (I love him!)
1877, Bulgaria. Two Cossacks of His Majesty’s Own Escort.
Nicholas II and his children with the Cossacks of the Guard.
Ivan Rostomashvili with his family. December 31, 1888.
Imam Shamil with his children, January 1, 1871.
David Gamkrelidze taken before 1899.
Kondrate Sokhadze. He was a priest, who took off his robe and voluntarily moved to Racha. The photo was taken in Kutaisi.
Abkhazia.
Tsitsishvili and his wife, Gogutsa Chichua.
Mako Saparova, Abashidze, Valerian, Gunia.
1905, Vasil Roinashvili with his wife, self portrait.
Prince Ovalyani from the Caucasus mountains.
Niko Dadiani.
Andrew David Dadiani.
Most photographs by Alexander Roinashvili, Dmitri Ermakov, Vasil Roinashvili, and Augustus Francis Sherman via the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, Wikimedia Commons, and Flickr Commons.
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