Grozny

Quick Facts: Who was Grozny?

Subject:

Grozny

Known for:

Capital of Chechnya, Russia; a city with a complex history marked by oil and conflict.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Grozny (Russian: Грозный, IPA: [ˈgroznɨj]; Chechen: Соьлжа-ГӀала, romanised: Sölƶa-Ġala) is the capital city of Chechnya, Russia. The city lies on the Sunzha River. According to the 2021 census, it had a population of 328,533, up from 210,720 recorded in the 2002 census, but still less than the 399,688 recorded in the 1989 census prior to destruction of the city in two wars in Chechnya. It was previously known as Groznaya (until 1870). In Russian, "Grozny" means "fearsome", "menacing", or "redoubtable", the same word as in Ivan Grozny (Ivan the Terrible).

Career & Major Achievements

While the official name in Chechen is the same, informally the city is known as "Соьлжа-Гӏала" ("Sölƶa-Ġala"), which literally means "the city (гӏала) on the Sunzha River (Соьлжа)". In 1997, the authorities of the Chechen republic of Ichkeria renamed the city Dzhokhar-Ghala (Chechen: Джохар-ГӀала, romanised: Dƶoxar-Ġala), literally Dzhokhar City, or Dzhokhar/Djohar for short, after Dzhokhar Dudayev, the first president of the republic, who was killed in the First Chechen War. In December 2005, the Chechen parliament voted to rename the city Akhmad-Ghala (Chechen: Ахмад-ГIала, romanised: Axmad-Ġala), after Akhmad Kadyrov) – a proposition which was rejected by his son Ramzan Kadyrov, the prime minister at the time and later president of the republic. The fortress of Groznaya (Гро́зная; lit. fearsome – a feminine form of Grozny, as the word fortress, "крепость", is feminine in Russian) was founded in 1818 as a Russian military outpost on the Sunzha River by general Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

As the fort was being built, the workers were fired upon by the Chechens. The Russians found a solution by strategically positioning a cannon outside the city walls. When night fell and the Chechens came out of their hiding places to drag the gun away, all the other guns opened up with grapeshot. When the Chechens recovered their senses and began to carry away the bodies, the guns fired again. When it was over, 200 dead were counted.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1818: 1818 Milestone — fearsome – a feminine form of Grozny, as the word fortress, "крепость", is feminine in Russian) was founded in 1818 as a Russian military outpost on the Sunzha River by general Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov.
2. 1870: 1870 Milestone — It was previously known as Groznaya (until 1870).
3. 1997: 1997 Milestone — In 1997, the authorities of the Chechen republic of Ichkeria renamed the city Dzhokhar-Ghala (Chechen: Джохар-ГӀала, romanised: Dƶoxar-Ġala), literally Dzhokhar City, or Dzhokhar/Djohar for short, after Dzhokhar Dudayev, the first president of the republic, who was killed in the First Chechen War.
4. 2005: 2005 Milestone — In December 2005, the Chechen parliament voted to rename the city Akhmad-Ghala (Chechen: Ахмад-ГIала, romanised: Axmad-Ġala), after Akhmad Kadyrov) – a proposition which was rejected by his son Ramzan Kadyrov, the prime minister at the time and later president of the republic.
5. 2021: 2021 Milestone — According to the 2021 census, it had a population of 328,533, up from 210,720 recorded in the 2002 census, but still less than the 399,688 recorded in the 1989 census prior to destruction of the city in two wars in Chechnya.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Grozny

True or False: “The initial Russian military outpost was established in Grozny before the year 1818.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The fortress of Groznaya was founded in 1818 by general Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Grozny