Targim, Russia

 

Targim (Ingush. Thargam) is an ancient city in Ingushetia. Located in the Dzheyrakh region. Now abandoned village, administratively included in the rural settlement of Guli.

On the territory of the city-settlement there is an architectural complex "Targim", represented by many historical objects: ancient cyclopean dwellings of a tower type, 4 battle towers, 4 semi-combat towers and 16 dilapidated residential towers, as well as 19 crypts, 2 mausoleums and 5 sanctuaries. At present, these objects of Ingush architecture and the entire territory of the settlement are included in the Dzheyrakh-Assinsky State Historical-Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve and are under state protection.

 

Sights

Already from afar, four high towers open up, indicating that there were four castles here in ancient times. Once upon a time, Targim was a family settlement for four influential Ingush dynasties, and only they had the right to build castles for their families, known as “vouv”. Such structures included not only watchtowers and combat towers, but also residential buildings, and burial grounds were located along the perimeter of the main fortresses.

And although the Targim tower complex today is a place abandoned by people, the towers are still monitored, maintaining their condition, and interesting excursions are organized for tourists. Targim is considered the "younger brother" of two other auls, Egikal and Khamkhi. In each of them, tower settlements similar to the Targim one were found, and the locals will gladly tell you the legend of Elbred and his three sons: Egi, Khamkh and Targim, who, having left their father's house, dispersed through these territories and created three tower settlements. Historians argue that such events may indeed have taken place around the 12th century. And it was from here, from the place where Targim is located, that the resettlement of the Ingush people began in other mountainous territories of the modern Republic of Ingushetia.

Targim belongs to the castle-type complexes, which means that it was not just a fortified outpost, but also a place for housing entire families and clans. These buildings were built around the 15th-17th centuries. The towers of Targim still amaze architects with their grace. Their proportions are observed so precisely that the width of the base of each tower is 1/10 of their height (about 28 m).

Just 300 meters from the Targim tower complex is the Christian temple of Albi-Yerdy, or rather, only what remains of it today: ruins and several walls restored to a small height.
This temple was built in the 12th century, and this indicates that the settlement of these territories began even earlier than the tower complex itself was built. Today, both the temple and the towers are under the protection of the authorities. But local residents still manage to use the walls of the historical complex as cattle pens, as the surrounding areas are rich in vegetation for grazing.

Practical Information
It is not difficult to get to the Targim tower complex: the village is located about 10 km from the district center Dzheyrakh in the Guli rural settlement. Regular buses run to Dzheyrakh, and Targim can be reached by car along the R-109 road, using the services of local residents or ordering an excursion. The tower complex itself is located in the Targim basin, on the right bank of the Assa River.

Address: Republic of Ingushetia, Dzheirakhsky district, Guli rural settlement, s. Targim.

 

Geography

Located in the south of Ingushetia, near the border with Georgia, on the right bank of the Assa River in the Targim Basin. Height above sea level: 1080 m. The nearest settlements: in the north-west - Egikal, in the south-west - Khamkhi, in the south - Gureti, in the west Barkhane.

Geographically, Targim includes the villages of Gureti and Ismail-koa, located on the road to the Tkhaba-Yerdy temple.

 

History

On the territory of Targim, the remains of megalithic cyclopean dwellings dating from the II-I millennium BC are recorded.

According to one version, the name of the settlement was formed when the Ingush, leaving the plains of Dakaste ("Land of the Fathers"), went to the mountains. According to legend, the powerful castle fortresses Targim, Egikal and Khamkhi in the Gqalgqai Koashke valley ("Galgai courtyards") were founded by three brothers - the sons of the legendary Albi-erd (in other sources Ga). The youngest of them was Targim (Thargam), who settled beyond the Assa River, according to another version Thargam is translated as "shield".

The following Ingush surnames originated from Targim:
The largest in number;
Archakovs-10,100 men.
Temurzievs-9,500 men.
Bekovs - 5,600 men.
Kodzoevs-4,150 men.
Sultygovs-3,050 men.
Malsagov's -2,500 men.
Plievs-2,300 men.
Ozievs-1,050 men.
Oscanovs-740 men.

The rest of the names; Gorbakovs, Goigovs, Ugurchievs, Tutaevs, Gaisanovs, Pogorovs, Umarovs, Ganizhevs, Eldievs, Medovs, Chemkhilgovs, Ganievs, Gamkartievs, Khabrievs, Dzhugutkhanovs, Ezhievs, Arsamakovs, Aktemirovs, Naapyevs, Bazakhievs, Tcharievs, Chamatievs, Byazakhievs Chabievs, Barakovs, Gasarovs, Gatievs, Tazievs, Bakaevs, Yamievs, Vidigovs.

In the late Middle Ages, Targim was territorially part of the Khamkhin Shahar.

Koli was founded by a native of Khabr named Chamar, and Guriti by the Timurzievs, Sultygovs and Joagortkhoana.