Russian Tatars and Bashkirs of the Napoleonic Wars

The history of the Tatars begins with the Mongolian Golden Horde of the 13th Century. The Tatars were the main population group of the Khanats Kasan, Astrakhan, Kasimov and Sibir, which belonged to Russia as early as the 16th Century. Tatars are primarily muslims or decendents of muslims. Teptar Tatars share lingual and cultural similarities with the Bashkirs. Tatars and Bashkirs were nomadic horsemen who served as irregular cavalry of the Russian army. They carried more antiquated weapons and equipment than the Cossacks, including the composite bow. Regiments were nominally organized into five "Sotnia" of 100 Lancers each, although this strength could not be maintained on campaign.

Available Miniatures

Mongol Golden Horde 12th–13th Century, 1:72 Italeri 6020
Mongols under Timur Leng 13th–14th Century, 1:72 ZVEZDA 8003
Bashkirs, 15 mm Old Glory RIC-04
Tatars, 15 mm Minifigs 68XC

There are no dedicated models of Napoleonic Tatars or Bashkirs, but modellers and wargamers may well use Mongolian Tatar figures of earlier periods. Tatar and Bashkir regiments served alongside the Russian Cossacks.

Bibliography

Knötel-Sieg: Handbuch der Uniformkunde, p. 180
Cassin-Scott, Jack: Uniforms of the Napoleonic Wars in Colour 1796–1814, Plate 63
Haythornthwaite, Philip: Uniforms of 1812, Plates 55-56
Allevi, Piersergio: Miniatures, p. 151

Frequently Asked Questions

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Russian Napoleonic Miniatures