The legal status of călăraşi in Bessarabia: from Moldovan traditions to the Russian imperial administrative system

In this study, based on archival and published sources, the author analyzes the status of călăraşi based on the comparative approach: from the Moldovan traditions to Russian imperial administrative system. The author ascertains that călăraşi as the guards' category were mentioned in the documentary information from the 16th century, as being recruited among free peasants and obliged to go to war on their own account at the request of the rulers, for tax exemption or the right to use royal estates. Over the centuries this social category has undergone significant changes, not only numerically but also in terms of social and legal status. In the 18th century, with the decline of military importance of the călăraşi, their secondary tasks were maintained and extended. The privileges enjoyed by this social category were confirmed by rulers, similar to the privileged classes of society. Upon annexation of Bessarabia to Russia călăraşi kept only auxiliary functions, being considered serving for local governments, persons responsible for local security; during wartime they participated in the finding of carts for the transportation of supplies, etc. Călăraşi formed indigenous militia and were at the command of ispravnic for the execution of different tasks in the counties. They were employed in the service from the free villages exempted of any drudgery and tax, but a military billeting; they immediately obeyed ispravnic's orders, receiving annual payment in money. Over time, the tsarist government, as with other social groups, tried to regulate this category of servants, limiting their activities, reducing substantially its number and fitting it into some legal rules. For this purpose there even was made up a regulation statute for călăraşi. Despite privileges enjoyed by this social category, the situation of călăraşi was not easy, as evidenced by the many complaints from them at various district and regional administrative offices.