His Imperial Majesty's Own Escort

One of the most unusual Caucasian national formations, whose duties included the protection of the Emperor and the members of his family, was His Imperial Majesty's Own Escort. Its base was the Life Guards Caucasus-Gorsky Platoon, formed on May 1, 1828, from the noble inhabitants of the North Caucasus; subsequently, it was replenished with divisions of the Caucasian Cossacks, Lezgins, Transcaucasian Muslims (Azerbaijanis), Georgians and Crimean Tatars. However, since 1890, only specially selected Kuban and Terek Cossacks served in this elite formation.

This section of the exhibition displays rare pieces of sculpture, painting and graphics, samples of uniforms and equipment, as well as unique weapons of escorts. Many of the exhibits are on display for the first time.