О состоянии Каспийско-Волжского судоходства в первой половине XVIII века
About the State of the Caspian-Volga Shipping in the First Half of the 18th Century

Summary/Abstract: The article is based on primary sources and examines the state of maritime and waterway shipping via the Volga-Caspian route, which held a prominent place in the economy of Russia and other Caspian littoral states, including Azerbaijan. It shows that in the second half of the 18th century, maritime and waterway shipping via the route was in a poor state. Russia’s vessels were either old or damaged. Azerbaijan’s and other Middle-Eastern countries’ seafarers used rowing vessels or boats. Peter I attached great importance to trade with the Caspian littoral countries and undertook measures to develop maritime and waterway shipping via the Volga-Caspian route. After his death, the attention to the matter faded. Nader Shah Afshar, who came to power in the Sephevid Empire in the 1730s, took measures to develop maritime trade and made an effort to build his own naval ships. However, Russia’s government tried to variously counter the effort and conspirators burnt down the fleet after the assassination of Nader Shah.

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