is an Old Russian term used by the Russian Tsardom to denote a Chechen feudal state, which they encountered in the 16th century. Okotsk was one of the biggest and most influential states in the North Caucasus, and had a rivalry with the other polities of Dagestan, particularly the Kumyk controlled Shamkalate of Tarki. It distinguished itself by being in opposition to Persian, Ottoman and Crimean hegemony over the North Caucasus, allying itself with the Russian Tsardom instead. The Knyaz Shikh Okotsky commanded at some point a host of 500 Cossacks and 500 Chechens, although the 500 Aukhovites were part of a larger immobilized Chechen force of 1000 infantry and 100 mounted cavalry. In the year 1583 Shikh Murza's joint Chechen-Cossack force would attack an Ottoman force traveling from Derbent to the Sea of Azov to the aid of the Crimean Khanate, the Ottoman force took significant damage which hampered their transit from Derbent to the Sea of Azov.
Aukh Naibstvo
In the 19th century, Aukh was incorporated into the Caucasian Imamate as one of many Chechen Naibstvo's. In 1843 the Aukh Naib district was one of the most important Naibstva, it had up to 1500 families and could equally supply 1500 soldiers to the Caucasian Imamate. In another report from 1857 Aukh under Naib Hatu had in total 530 warriors or which 200 were cavalry and 330 infantry.
Administrative Dispute
In 1921, Aukh was included in the Dagestan ASSR, despite the desire of Aukhovites to join the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. According to another explanation, the reason was the entering Aukhovites fear of losing their winter pastures in the territory of the Khasavyurtovsky District. In 1943, the territory was incorporated into the Aukh district, which only lasted til February 1944, when Aukhovite Chechens were ethnically cleansed from their homeland along with the rest of the Chechen nation. Part of Aukh was incorporated into the new Novolaksy district and the property and houses of the ethnically cleansed Chechens, were given to Laksfree of charge. The villages Shircha-Aukh and Aukh-Aktash were transferred to the Kazbekovski District and the property there was given to Avars. In 1956, the Chechens began to return to their historical homeland, widespread ethnic conflict ensued.
Ethnic cleansing
With the permission of the authorities of the Soviet Dagestan, on October 5, 1943, the Aukhovites formed their national Aukhov district with the center in Yaryksu-Aukh. But at the end of February 1944, the Aukhovites, sharing a similar fate with other Vainakhs, were ethnically cleansed from their homeland. The authorities disbanded the Aukh district, giving the land of Aukhovites to other ethnic groups of Dagestan. In the period from 1957 to 1960, the majority of Aukhovites returned to the Soviet Dagestan, however, the leadership of the republic forbade them to resettle the land of their ancestors, especially in the Novolaksky and Kazbekovsky districts. Due to restrictions, Aukhovites began to settle in other settlements of the republic, which the authorities indicated to them. Until 1961, Aukhovites fought for their return to their native places of residence after which under the threat of a new ethnic cleansing, they had to temporarily abandon their claims. Aukhovites never abandoned attempts to return their former dwellings occupied by Avars and Laks. The resulting interethnic tension led to clashes, sometimes with tragic consequences. In 1964, Aukhovites made another attempt to return to their native homeland, acting in an organized manner and emphasizing the peaceful nature of their action. The leadership of the Soviet Dagestan was confused and declared these actions “riots”, although no repressive measures were taken against the participants in the events then. Once again, Aukhovites tried to return to their homes in 1976 and 1985 in the village of Chapaevo, and in 1989 in many native Aukh villages. In response to these actions, the local party leadership began to turn the Avars and Laks against the Aukhovites. On July 3, 1989, a rally was organized demanding the renewed cleansing of Aukhovites from Dagestan.
Saritov, Albert — Olympic wrestler, 2016 Olympics bronze medalist
Şahin, Ramazan — Olympic wrestler, 2008 Olympics gold medalist
Teips living in Aukh
Aukh is home to many teips, with some of them being native to the area, while others settled there later on. The following is a list of teips that live in Aukh today:
