What did Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky discover in geography. H

Local residents from the windows of their adobe dwellings watched the people passing by them. travelers. And they walked in silence, their route among the hostile and restless local population. From time to time, people came to the travelers: hundreds of them were kneeling on both sides of the road, there were seriously ill people who came to ask for healing, old and young - everyone wanted to receive the blessings of the great white khubilgan (saint), that's what they called Przhevalsky. As if the steppe wind was blowing across Central Asia unusual rumors and myths about Przhevalsky and his companions: the Russian chief is a sorcerer or a saint, he needs to pray, because he knows everything in advance. A happy fate ... made it possible to make a feasible study of the least known and most inaccessible countries of inner Asia. N. M. Przhevalsky.

Indeed, the famous Russian geographer-traveler Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky was an amazing fate, did he know, while still a small rural boy, that such an extraordinary life, full of adventures and great discoveries, awaited him?

Was born N.M. Przhevalsky April 12, 1839 in the village of Kimbory, Smolensk province, in the family of a small landowner. From childhood he was fascinated by the mysterious natural world, the boy's favorite pastime was reading books about travel and animals. Being an idealist, at the age of 16 he decides to join the Belevsky regiment, but military affairs did not live up to the expectations of the young seeker: the endless revelry and unbridled officers turned his views on life and humanity upside down. All his free time from service, he is engaged in hunting, ornithology, and collects herbariums. After five years in the regiment, Przhevalsky enters the Academy of the General Staff, the end of which would give him the opportunity to finally do what he loves - travel. Enrolling in school, Przhevalsky is increasingly engaged in creativity, rather than military affairs, his course work"Military Statistical Review of the Amur Territory" brings him membership in the Russian Geographical Society. It was the first step towards the life he dreamed of.

After graduating from the Academy Przhevalsky teaches at the Warsaw Junker School, while simultaneously doing science, writes a textbook on general geography for the Junkers. Africa at that time interested him most. However, he soon becomes attracted to central Asia: “I am sure that sooner or later, but I will fulfill my cherished dream of travel- writes N.M. Przhevalsky- intensively studied botany, zoology, physical geography, etc., and in the summer he went to his village, where he continued the same studies, collected a herbarium "1

In 1867 Przhevalsky appeals to the Russian Geographical Society with a request to help in organizing an expedition to Central Asia, but, having no name in scientific circles, he, unfortunately, could not count on the support of the Council of the society, which rejected his request. On the advice of P.P. Semyonov - Tien-Shansky he decides to go to the Ussuri region, in the hope of earning upon his return the long-awaited opportunity to assemble an expedition to Central Asia. The result of a two-year trip was the essays “On the foreign population in the southern part of the Amur region” and “ Travel in the Ussuri Territory, as well as about 300 species of plants and birds, many of which were discovered in the Ussuri for the first time. For the work done, the Russian Geographical Society awarded Przhevalsky a silver medal, but the main award for the born explorer was the approval and assistance of the Geographical Society in organizing his next trip - already in Central Asia.

First trip to Central Asia (1870 - 1873), called "Mongolian" turned out to be extremely difficult and dangerous. The members of the expedition traveled a total of more than 11,000 km. through Moscow, Irkutsk, Kyakhta, Beijing and north to the Dalai-Nur lake.

Having a rest in Kalgan, Przhevalsky explored the Suma-Khodi and Yin-Shan ridges, as well as the course of the Yellow River (Huang He), showing that it does not have a branch, as previously thought on the basis of Chinese sources; passing through the Alashan desert and the Alashan the mountains, he returned to Kalgan. On March 5, 1872, the expedition set out again from Kalgan and moved through the Alashan desert to the Nanshan ranges and further to Lake Kukunor. Then Przhevalsky crossed the Qaidam Basin, overcame the Kunlun ranges and reached Tibet headwaters of the Blue River (Yangtze). Summer 1873 Przhevalsky, having replenished his equipment, he went to Urga (Ulaanbaatar), through the Middle Gobi, and from Urga in September 1873 he returned to Kyakhta. Three years of the most difficult physical tests and as a result - 4000 plant specimens, new species were discovered, which received his name: foot-and-mouth disease Przewalski, Przewalski's splinter tail, Przewalski's rhododendron. This journey brought Nikolai Mikhailovich world fame and the gold medal of the Russian Geographical Society. As a report on my travel Przhevalsky writes the book “Mongolia and the country of the Tanguts”.

THE FIRST JOURNEY OF PRZHEVALSKY

THE SECOND JOURNEY OF PRZHEVALSKY

Own second Central Asian trip Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky starts in 1876. It was conceived on a very large scale, it was supposed to explore Tibet and Lhasa, but due to the complication of the political situation (the conflict with China) and the illness of Przhevalsky himself, the route had to be shortened. Starting your journey with Kulja, overcoming Tien Shan ranges and the Tarim Basin Przhevalsky reached in February 1877 a huge reed swamp-Lake Lobnor. According to his description, the lake was 100 kilometers long and 20 to 22 kilometers wide. On the banks of the mysterious Lop Nor, in the "country of Lop", Przhevalsky was second... after Marco Polo! No obstacles prevented the researchers from making their discoveries: the lower reaches of the Tarim with a group of lakes and the Altyn-Tag ridge were described, and materials on the ethnography of the Lobnors (Karakurchins) were collected. After some time, an entry appears in the diary of Nikolai Mikhailovich: “A year will pass, misunderstandings with China will be settled, my health will improve, and then I will again take the wanderer's staff and again head to the Asian deserts” 2

Third Central Asian Journey, called "Tibetan" Przhevalsky commits in 1879 - 1880 with a detachment of 13 people. The path lay through the Khami desert and nan shan range on the plateau Tibet. This expedition turned out to be surprisingly rich in discoveries. Its participants explored the Huang He River, the northern part Tibet, two ridges named Przhevalsky in honor of Humboldt and Ritter; "Przewalski's Horses": “The newly discovered horse,” writes Nikolai Mikhailovich, is called by the Kirghiz kertag, and by the Mongols it lives only in the wildest parts of the Dzungarian desert. Here kertags are kept in small herds, grazing under the supervision of an experienced old stallion. After receiving this trips several honorary titles and titles and many recognitions and degrees, Przhevalsky, perhaps because of his natural modesty and rejection of the noisy, bustling city life, retires to the village, where he begins to process the collected material. Your observations and research findings Przhevalsky stated in the book "From Zaysan through Hami in Tibet and the headwaters of the Yellow River.

THE THIRD JOURNEY OF PRZHEVALSKY

THE FOURTH JOURNEY OF PRZHEVALSKY

Fourth Central Asian Expedition was also known as the Second tibetan travel” and lasted from 1883 to 1885. And again Tibet! The Huang He River, dotted with spring lakes that shone brightly in the rays of the setting sun, the swampy Yellow River, the sands of Alashan and Tarim; and new adventure and discovery: lakes Orin-Nur, Dzharin-Nur, ridges Moscow, Russian, Columbus ridge, the sources of the Huang He were investigated. New species of birds, mammals and reptiles, as well as fish appeared in the collection, and new species of plants appeared in the herbarium. The outcome of this trips becomes another, written in the village silence of the Sloboda estate, the book “From Kyakhta to the origins of the Yellow River, exploration of the northern outskirts Tibet and the route through Lop Nor along the Tarim Basin. For those who knew the character of the tireless Nikolai Mikhailovich, there was nothing surprising in the fact that, in his incomplete 50 years, he decides to go to his fifth trip to Central Asia , which, alas, became the last for an outstanding scientist and researcher.

Before leaving, Nikolai Mikhailovich went out onto the terrace of his estate and wrote in red pencil on one of the columns: “August 5, 1888 Goodbye, Sloboda! N. Przhevalsky. Then he called his companions and asked them all to sign: V. Roborovsky, P. Kozlov, Teleshev, Nefedov.

On August 18, accompanied by his closest friends, Nikolai Mikhailovich last time left Petersburg. As soon as the train started, he shouted through the open window to F.D. Plesk, ornithologist: “If I am gone, then I entrust the processing of birds to you!”.

On the train Przhevalsky continued to speak prophetic words, as if foreseeing imminent death: “We are going to free, pleasant, glorious labor. Now we are well armed and our life will not come cheap: it is pleasant to die for a glorious cause.

This time the path ran along the Volga, the Caspian Sea to Krasnovodsk (now Turkmenbashi?), from there to Samarkand and Pishpek (Bishkek). From Pishpek to Alma-Ata. On the way to the Russian-Chinese border, while hunting in the valley of the Kara-Balta river, Przhevalsky being already slightly cold, he drank river water and contracted typhoid fever.

AT last days of his life, Nikolai Mikhailovich was surprisingly courageous, did not lose heart and openly, consciously spoke about death, as about an old acquaintance: “I am not afraid of death, I am ready to die, I have been face to face with death more than once ...”

Having made several orders about his property, he bequeathed to bury himself on the shore Issyk-Kul.

October 20, 1888 great traveler and a talented naturalist Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky did not. So his ashes forever remained in Asia about which he dreamed all his life. In 1889, a monument was erected at his grave. A bronze eagle with an olive branch in its beak rises on a block of granite, ready to break skyward, as a symbol of glory and greatness of a tireless brave explorer, who always went forward towards his dream, becoming an example for many, many generations of scientists and scientists. travelers all over the world.

Article prepared by SVETLANA SHCHEGLOVA

1. The great Russian traveler Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky, Knigoizdat, 1948.
2. Wikipedia

(1839-1888)

The famous Russian traveler Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky was the first explorer of the nature of Central Asia. He possessed an amazing ability to observe, was able to collect a large and diverse geographical and natural scientific material and linked it together using the comparative method. He was the largest representative of comparative physical geography, which originated in the first half of the 19th century.

Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky was born on April 12, 1839 in the village of Kimborovo, Smolensk province, into a poor family. He lost his father at the age of six. He was raised by his mother, a smart and strict woman. She gave her son wide freedom, allowed him to leave the house in any weather, wander through the forest and swamps. Her influence on her son was very great. To her, as well as to the nanny Olga Makarievna, Nikolai Mikhailovich forever retained a tender affection.

From childhood, N. M. Przhevalsky became addicted to hunting. He retained this passion for the rest of his life. The hunt hardened him already healthy body, developed in him a love of nature, observation, patience and endurance. His favorite books were descriptions of travels, stories about the customs of animals and birds, and various geographical books. He read a lot and memorized everything he read to the smallest detail. Often, comrades, testing his memory, took a book familiar to him, read one or two lines to any page, and then Przhevalsky spoke whole pages by heart.

After graduating from the Smolensk gymnasium, a sixteen-year-old youth entered the army during the Crimean War. In 1861, he began to study at the Military Academy, after which he was sent back to the Polotsk regiment, where he served earlier. At the Academy, N. M. Przhevalsky compiled the “Military Statistical Review of the Amur Territory”, which was highly appreciated in the Russian Geographical Society and served as the basis for his election in 1864 as a member of the Society. All his life and activities were later connected with this Society.

With early years N. M. Przhevalsky dreamed of traveling. When he became a teacher at a military school in Warsaw, he used all his strength and means to prepare for travel. For himself, he set the most strict regime: he worked a lot in the university zoological museum, the botanical garden and in the library. Desk books his at that time were: the works of K. Ritter about Asia, "Pictures of Nature" by A. Humboldt, different descriptions Russian travelers in Asia, publications of the Russian Geographical Society, books on zoology, especially on ornithology.

N. M. Przhevalsky took his teaching duties very seriously, he thoroughly prepared for classes, he presented the subject in an interesting and fascinating way. He wrote a textbook on general geography. His book, scientifically and vividly written, at one time enjoyed great success in military and civilian educational institutions and appeared in several editions.

At the beginning of 1867, N. M. Przhevalsky moved from Warsaw to St. Petersburg and presented his plan for a trip to Central Asia to the Russian Geographical Society. The plan did not receive support. He was given only letters of recommendation to the authorities of Eastern Siberia. Here he managed to get a business trip to the Ussuri region, shortly before annexed to Russia. In the instruction, N. M. Przhevalsky was instructed to inspect the location of the troops, collect information on the number and condition of Russian, Manchurian and Korean settlements, explore the paths leading to the borders, correct and supplement the route map. In addition, it was allowed to "make any kind of scientific research." Going on this expedition in the spring of 1867, he wrote to his friend: “... I am going to the Amur, from there to the river. Ussuri, Lake Khanka and on the shores of the Great Ocean, to the borders of Korea. Yes! An enviable share and a difficult duty fell on me - to explore areas in most of which the foot of an educated European had not yet set foot. Moreover, this will be my first statement about myself to the scientific world, therefore, you need to work hard.”

As a result of his Ussuri expedition, N. M. Przhevalsky gave good geographical description the edges. In the economy of Primorye, he emphasized the discrepancy between the richest natural resources and their insignificant use. He was especially attracted by the Khanki steppes with their fertile soils, extensive pastures and the enormous wealth of fish and poultry.

N. M. Przhevalsky colorfully, in all its charm and originality, showed geographical features Ussuri region. He remarked among other things feature nature Far East: "junction" of southern and northern plant and animal forms. N M. Przhevalsky writes:

“It is somehow strange for an unaccustomed eye to see such a mixture of forms of north and south, which collide here both in the plant and in the animal world. Particularly striking is the sight of a spruce entwined with grapes, or a cork tree and a walnut growing next to a cedar and a fir. A hunting dog looks for you a bear or a sable, but right next to it you can meet a tiger that is not inferior in size and strength to the inhabitant of the Bengal jungle.

N. M. Przhevalsky considered the Ussuri journey as a preliminary reconnaissance before his difficult expeditions to Central Asia. It cemented his reputation as an experienced traveler-explorer. Soon after that, he began to petition for permission to travel to the northern outskirts of China and to the eastern parts of southern Mongolia.

N. M. Przhevalsky himself defined the main tasks of his first trip through China - to Mongolia and the country of the Tanguts as follows: “Physical-geographical, as well as special zoological studies on mammals and birds were the main subject of our studies; ethnographic research was carried out as far as possible. During this expedition (1870-1873) 11,800 kilometers were covered. Based on the visual survey of the distance traveled, a map was compiled on 22 sheets at a scale of 1: 420,000. Meteorological and magnetic observations were made daily, rich zoological and botanical collections were collected. The diary of N. M. Przhevalsky contained valuable records of physical-geographical and ethnographic observations. Science for the first time received accurate information about the hydrographic system of Kuku-nor, the northern heights of the Tibetan Plateau. Based on the materials of N. M. Przhevalsky, it was possible to significantly refine the map of Asia.

At the end of the expedition, the famous traveler wrote:

“Our journey is over! His success surpassed even those hopes that we had ... Being poor in terms of material means, we only ensured the success of our business by a series of constant successes. Many times it hung in the balance, but a happy fate rescued us and made it possible to make a feasible study of the least known and most inaccessible countries of inner Asia.

This expedition strengthened the fame of N. M. Przhevalsky as a first-class researcher. The entire scientific world quickly got acquainted with the Russian, English and German editions of the book "Mongolia and the country of the Tanguts", and this work was highly appreciated.

Long before the completion of processing the materials of the Mongolian journey, N. M. Przhevalsky began to prepare for a new expedition. In May 1876, he left Moscow to go to Gulja, and from there to the Tien Shan, to Lake Lobnor and further to the Himalayas. Having reached the Tarim River, the expedition consisting of 9 people headed down its course to Lop Nor. South of Lobnor, N. M. Przhevalsky discovered the huge Altyn-Tag ridge and explored it under difficult conditions. He notes that the discovery of this ridge sheds light on many historical events, since the ancient road from Khotan to China went “along the wells” to Lop Nor. During a long stop at Lop Nor, astronomical determinations of the main points and a topographical survey of the lake were made. In addition, ornithological observations were made. The discovery of Altyn-Tag by N. M. Przhevalsky was recognized by all geographers of the world as the largest geographical discovery. It established exactly the northern border of the Tibetan Plateau: Tibet turned out to be 300 kilometers further north than previously thought.

The expedition failed to get into Tibet. This was prevented by the illness of the leader and a number of members of the expedition, and especially by the aggravation of Russian-Chinese relations.

About his second trip to Central Asia, N. M. Przhevalsky compiled a very brief report. Part of the materials of this expedition was subsequently included in the description of the fourth trip.

At the beginning of 1879, N. M. Przhevalsky set off on a new, third journey to Central Asia. The expedition went from Zaisan to the Khami oasis. From here, through the inhospitable desert and the ridges of the Nan Shan, which lay along the way, the travelers climbed the Tibetan plateau. Nikolai Mikhailovich described his first impressions as follows: “We were entering, as it were, into another world, in which, first of all, we were struck by the abundance of large animals, which had little or almost no fear of man. Not far from our camp, herds of kulans grazed, wild yaks lay and paced alone, orongo males stood in a graceful pose; like rubber balls, jumped little antelopes - hells. After the most difficult transitions, in November 1879, the travelers reached the pass through the Tan-la ridge. 250 kilometers from the capital of Tibet, Lhasa, near the village of Naichu, travelers were detained by Tibetan officials. Despite lengthy negotiations with representatives of the Tibetan authorities, N. M. Przhevalsky had to turn back. After that, the expedition until July 1880 explored the upper reaches of the Yellow River, Lake. Kukunor and eastern Nan Shan.

“The success of my three previous travels in Central Asia, the vast areas that remained unknown there, the desire to continue, as far as I could, my cherished task, and finally, the temptation of a free wandering life - all this pushed me, at the end of the report on my third expedition, to embark on a new journey,” writes N. M. Przhevalsky in a book about the fourth journey through Central Asia.

This expedition was more crowded and equipped better than all the previous ones. The expedition explored the sources of the Huang He and the watershed between the Huang He and the Yangtze. These areas, from a geographical point of view, were completely unknown at that time, not only in Europe, but also in China, and were indicated on maps only approximately. The achievement and study of the origins of the Huang He N. M. Przhevalsky rightly considered the solution of an "important geographical problem." Then N. M. Przhevalsky discovered some ranges unknown to Europeans and not having local names. He gave them names: Columbus Ridge, Moscow Ridge, Russian Ridge. N. M. Przhevalsky gave the name “Kremlin” to the top of the Moskovsky ridge. To the south of the Columbus and Russian ridges, N. M. Przhevalsky noticed a “vast snow ridge” and called it “Mysterious”. Subsequently, this ridge was named after N. M. Przhevalsky by the decision of the Council of the Russian Geographical Society.

Having explored the northern part of the Tibetan plateau, the expedition came to Lop Nor and Tarim. Then the travelers went to Cherchen and further to Keriya, from here through Khotan and Aksu to Karakol to Lake Issyk-Kul. Geographically, this was Przhevalsky's most fruitful journey.

Neither honors, nor fame, nor well-known material security could keep the passionate traveler in place. In March 1888 he completed the description of the fourth trip, and the next month he already had permission and money for a new expedition to Lhasa. In October he arrived in Karakol. Here the entire composition of the expedition was completed and the caravan was prepared for the journey.

Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky demanded from his employees not to spare "neither strength, nor health, nor life itself, if necessary, in order to fulfill ... a high-profile task and serve both for science and for the glory of the dear fatherland." He himself has always served as an example of selfless devotion to duty. Before his death, Nikolai Mikhailovich said: “I ask you not to forget about one thing, so that they will certainly bury me on the shore of Issyk-Kul, in a marching expedition uniform ...”.

His companions chose a flat, beautiful place for the grave on the shore of Issyk-Kul, on a cliff, overlooking the lake and the surrounding area. A monument was later erected on the grave from large blocks of local marble with the inscription: “Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky, born on March 31, 1839, died on October 20, 1888. The first explorer of the nature of Central Asia” [dates are indicated according to the old style].

The results of Przewalski's travels

The space of Central Asia, in which N. M. Przhevalsky traveled, is located between 32 and 48 ° north latitude and 78 and 117 ° east longitude. It stretches more than 1000 kilometers from north to south and about 4000 kilometers from west to east. The directions of the routes of the expedition of N. M. Przhevalsky in this vast space constitute a real network. His caravans traveled over 30,000 km.

N. M. Przhevalsky considered the most important part of the program of all his travels to be physical and geographical descriptions and route-eye survey. He paved and mapped many thousands of kilometers of new, unknown routes to anyone before him. To do this, he surveyed, determined astronomically 63 points, made several hundred determinations of heights above sea level.

Shooting N. M. Przhevalsky produced himself. He always rode in front of the caravan with a small notebook in his hands, where he entered everything that interested him. Upon arrival at the bivouac, N. M. Przhevalsky transferred what he had written down to a blank tablet. He had a rare ability to accurately describe the terrain he passed.

Thanks to N. M. Przhevalsky, the map of Central Asia has changed significantly in all its parts. Science has been enriched with concepts about the orography of Mongolia, northern Tibet, the region of the sources of the Yellow River, East Turkestan. After the hypsometric observations of N. M. Przhevalsky, the relief of the vast country began to emerge. The map has new mountain ranges instead of many mythical mountains marked on ancient Chinese maps.

N. M. Przhevalsky in three places crossed the northern border of Tibet - Kun-Lun. Before him, these mountains were drawn on the maps in a straight line. He showed that they are divided into a number of separate ridges. On the maps of Asia before the travels of N. M. Przhevalsky, there were no mountains that make up the southern "fence" of Tsaidam. These mountains were first explored by N. M. Przhevalsky. The names he gave to individual ranges (for example, the Marco Polo Range, the Columbus Range) appear on all modern maps of Asia. In the western part of Tibet, he discovered and named individual ranges of the Nan Shan mountain system (Humboldt Range, Ritter Range). The geographical map firmly preserves the names associated with the activities of the first scientific researcher of Central Azin.

Before N. M. Przhevalsky's travels to Central Asia, absolutely nothing was known about its climate. He was the first to give a living, vivid description of the seasons and general characteristics climate of visited countries. Day after day, carefully, for many years he made systematic meteorological observations. They provided the most valuable material for judging the spread of the humid, rainy monsoon of Asia to the north and west and the border of its two main regions - Indian and Chinese, or East Asian. Based on the observations of N. M. Przhevalsky, for the first time, it was possible to establish general average temperatures for Central Asia. They turned out to be 17.5º lower than previously thought.

N. M. Przhevalsky carried out his scientific research, starting with the first Ussuri and including the subsequent four large trips to Central Asia, according to a single program. “In the foreground,” he writes, “of course, there should be purely geographical research, then natural history and ethnographic research. The latter ... it is very difficult to collect in passing ... In addition, there was too much work for us in other branches of scientific research, so that ethnographic observations could not be carried out with the desired completeness for this reason.

Academician V. L. Komarov, the greatest connoisseur of vegetation in Asia, emphasized that there is no such branch of natural science to which the studies of N. M. Przhevalsky would not have made an outstanding contribution. His expeditions opened completely new world animals and plants.

All the works of N. M. Przhevalsky bear the seal of exceptional scientific conscientiousness. He writes only about what he saw himself. His travel diaries are striking in their pedantry and accuracy of entries. On a fresh memory, regularly, according to a certain system, he writes down everything he sees. The travel diary of N. M. Przhevalsky includes: a general diary, meteorological observations, lists of collected birds, mammal eggs, mollusks, plants, rocks, etc., general notes, ethnographic, zoological and astronomical observations. The thoroughness and accuracy of the travel records made it possible for their author to complete the complete processing of the materials in a short time.

The merits of N. M. Przhevalsky were recognized during his lifetime in Russia and abroad. Twenty-four scientific institutions in Russia and Western Europe have elected him as their honorary member. N. M. Przhevalsky was an honorary member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Moscow University awarded him an honorary doctorate in zoology. The city of Smolensk elected him an honorary citizen. Foreign geographical societies awarded N. M. Przhevalsky their awards: Swedish - the highest award - the Vega medal, Berlin - the Humboldt medal, Paris and London - gold medals, and the French Ministry of Education - the Academy Palm. The London Geographical Society, awarding him its highest award in 1879, noted that his journey surpasses everything that has taken place since the time of Marco Polo (XIII century). At the same time, it was noted that N. M. Przhevalsky to difficult and dangerous journey his passion for nature prompted him, and to this passion he managed to add all the virtues of a scientist-geographer and a brave explorer. N. M. Przhevalsky walked tens of thousands of kilometers in difficult conditions, did not undress or wash for weeks, and his life was repeatedly in direct danger. But all this never shook his vigorous state and efficiency. Persistently and persistently he went to his goal.

The personal qualities of N. M. Przhevalsky ensured the success of his expeditions. He selected his employees from simple, inexhaustible, enterprising people and treated people of the “noble breed” with great distrust. He himself did not shy away from any menial work. Discipline during the expedition was severe, without pomp and nobility. His assistants V. I. Roborovsky and P. K. Kozlov subsequently became famous travelers themselves. Many satellites participated in two or three expeditions, and the Buryat Dondok Irinchinov was together with N. M. Przhevalsky in four expeditions.

The scientific results of N. M. Przhevalsky's travels are enormous and versatile. With his travels, he covered vast areas, collected rich scientific collections, carried out extensive research and geographical discoveries, processed the results and summarized the results.

He handed over the various scientific collections he had collected to the scientific institutions of Russia: ornithological and zoological - to the Academy of Sciences, botanical - to the Botanical Garden.

Fascinating descriptions of the travels of N. M. Przhevalsky are at the same time strictly scientific. His books are among the best geographical writings. These are the brilliant results of the great traveler. His works contain subtle, artistic descriptions many birds and wild animals, plants, landscapes and natural phenomena of Asia. These descriptions became classics and were included in special works on zoology, botany, and geography.

Drawing up a detailed report on the expedition N. M. Przhevalsky considered the most important thing. Returning from the expedition, he took every opportunity to work on the report, even at random stops. N. M. Przhevalsky began a new expedition only after the publication of a book about the previous one. He wrote over two thousand printed pages about his travels. All his works, upon their publication in Russian, immediately appeared in translations into foreign languages.

N. M. Przhevalsky had no rivals in enterprise, energy, determination, resourcefulness. He literally yearned for unknown countries. Central Asia attracted him with its unexplored nature. No difficulties frightened him. According to the general results of his work, N. M. Przhevalsky took one of the most honorable places among the famous travelers of all times and peoples. His work is an exceptional example of a steady pursuit of his goal and the talented fulfillment of his task.

Bibliography

1. Kadek M. G. Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky / M. G. Kadek // People of Russian Science. Essays on outstanding figures of natural science and technology. Geology and geography. - Moscow: State publishing house of physical and mathematical literature, 1962. - P. 479-487.

The Russian land has always been rich in people who sought to understand and study nature and the world around us all well. One of the most prominent naturalists and travelers in Russia for several centuries has been Przhevalsky Nikolai Mikhailovich, short biography which will be presented in this article.

basic information

The future scientist was born on April 12, 1839 in the village of Kimborovo. His father, Mikhail Kuzmich, was a retired lieutenant, and his mother, Elena Alekseevna, led household. Nowadays in locality, where Przhevalsky Nikolai Mikhailovich was born, whose brief biography is of interest to many people, a memorial sign has been erected.

It is also worth noting that the hero of the article was a hereditary gentry. His ancestors selflessly fought with the army and for this they received the right to wear their personal coat of arms.

Education and service

Przhevalsky Nikolai Mikhailovich (his brief biography can serve as an example to follow) in 1855 graduated from the Smolensk gymnasium, after which he was appointed to the rank of non-commissioned officer in an infantry unit in Ryazan. After that, the military officer became an officer and soon ended up in the 28th Polotsk Infantry Regiment. But the energetic young man did not stop there, and he became a cadet of the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff.

Raise

It was during his life in Nikolaev that he wrote his first creations, including "Memoirs of a Hunter" and others. Thanks to these works, Przhevalsky Nikolai Mikhailovich (biography, photos are given in this article) found himself in the ranks of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society. After graduating from the walls of the Academy, the educated husband went on a voluntary basis to Poland, where he suppressed the uprising that had arisen there. In the summer of 1863, the military was awarded the rank of lieutenant.

Exploration and travel

In 1867, Przhevalsky Nikolai Mikhailovich, whose brief biography and discoveries still provide valuable information for his followers, was seconded to the harsh Ussuri region. Together with two Cossacks and a preparator named Nikolai Yagunov, he reached the Cossack village of Busse, located on the island. After that, the travelers ended up on Lake Khanka, a place where many migratory birds gathered. Here Przhevalsky was able to obtain a lot of materials for ornithological research. In winter, the retired military man traveled about 1,100 kilometers and in parallel studied the South Ussuri region.

What else did Przhevalsky Nikolai Mikhailovich do? His biography says that at the beginning of 1868 he advanced to a lake called Khanka, and a little later in Manchuria he severely pacified the robbers from China, for which he was granted the position of senior adjutant of the headquarters of the Amur troops. The first trip gave the soldier the opportunity to write essays about what he saw and heard.

The year 1870 was marked for Nikolai Mikhailovich by his first trip to the Central Asian region. In early November, he ended up in Kyakhta, and from there he moved to Beijing. From the capital of the Celestial Empire, Przhevalsky went to the northern shore of Lake Dalai-Nur, where he stopped to rest. After that, the naturalist conducted research on the Yin-Shan and Suma-Khodi ranges. Also, the military proved that it does not have branches, as previously thought. And then he walked through the Ala Shan desert and the Alshan mountains. The final destination was again Kalgan. In total, during the ten-month journey, the brave man covered about 3,700 kilometers.

In the period from 1872 to 1875 Przhevalsky Nikolai Mikhailovich (a brief biography of the geographer is stored in many archives) walked along the coast of Lake Kuku-Nor, the Tsaidam desert and the upper Mur-Usu. For three years, the scientist covered almost 12 thousand kilometers and wrote an essay entitled "Mongolia and the country of the Tanguts."

In 1876, Nikolai Mikhailovich went from Kulja to the Ili River for the second time. In 1877 he ended up in Lop Nor, where he observed migratory birds and carried out other ornithological research. Due to illness, Przhevalsky was forced to stay longer in Russia.

The third journey of an energetic explorer started in 1879. His detachment of 13 people left the city of Zaisan, proceeded along the Urungu River, the Sa-Cheu desert and the mountain ranges of Tibet. As a result, the team ended up in the Blue River Valley. The Tibetan rulers did not want to let Przhevalsky into Lhasa. The scientist was forced to return to Urga. The group returned home in 1881. It was during the period of the third wandering that the naturalist discovered a new kind of horse, which was named after him.

From 1883 to 1886, Nikolai Mikhailovich spent his fourth trip, during which he studied the watershed between the Blue and Yellow rivers.

Death

Przhevalsky Nikolai Mikhailovich, whose short biography will be of particular interest to children, in 1888 went towards the Russian-Chinese border through the city of Samarkand. Along the way, the scientist was engaged in hunting and, contrary to his own instructions, he drank water from the river. As a result, he contracted typhoid fever. Due to illness, the naturalist died and was interred on one of the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. The traveler was buried in accordance with his requirements. They dug his grave for two days - the ground was so hard. The body of the deceased was placed in a double coffin.

Relatives

Przhevalsky during his lifetime was so immersed in his active research activities that he never managed to create his own family. He did not have a wife or children. Of his relatives, he had two brothers, whose names were Vladimir and Eugene.

Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky is one of the most famous and famous.

Date of Birth. Childhood

Nikolai was born in March 1839, in the village of Kimbolovo, which was located in the Smolensk province.

His parents belonged to the class of small landowners. Kolya studied at the local Smolensk gymnasium, after which he became a non-commissioned officer of the Ryazan Infantry Regiment.

Youth. Education

After serving a little, and gaining experience, he entered the Academy of the General Staff. During the period of study, Nikolai Mikhailovich wrote several geographical works, for which he was enrolled in the Russian Geographical Society.

The time of graduation from the Academy coincided with the Polish uprising. Not having time to celebrate the end of his studies, he went to suppress the Polish rebellion in Poland, where he stayed for a while.

Przhevalsky taught at the local Junker School of History and Geography. AT free time He liked to hunt and play cards. They say that he had a phenomenal memory, and therefore victory often smiled at him in the cards.

First expedition

Nikolai Mikhailovich participated in many research expeditions. The first occurred in 1867-1869, he traveled around the Ussuri region. He compiled an ornithological collection, and he also discovered a number of new geographical objects.

Second expedition

In 1876 he went to the Central Asian expedition, during which he was the Altyntag mountains. On the same journey, Przhevalsky compiled a description for Lake Lobnor (he proved that it was fresh).

Third expedition

In 1879, he again went to the same geographical area, where during this expedition (of 13 people), he discovered several mountain ranges, and gave descriptions of local rivers and lakes. Went down the Urungu river

Fourth Expedition (Tibetan)

Nikolai Przhevalsky was tormented by illnesses, but, despite the illness, he went on another expedition in 1883 (of 21 people). This was the Tibetan expedition, which lasted until 1885. Through the river Ugra reached the Tibetan Plateau. He explored the Kunlong region, and found many ridges and lakes in it. He spoke about the Yellow River, about its origins.

Fifth expedition

It took place in 1888. In the village of Karakol, he continued his research and observations. Unfortunately, Nikolai Mikhailovich fell ill. Przhevalsky died in October 1888 from an illness. He was buried Two years before his death, he received the rank of major general of the Russian army.

The value of the works of Przewalski

Nikolai Mikhailovich is an amazing and traveler, the author of many geographical works. Over the years of his activity, he managed to develop a unique methodology for research activities, and safety precautions.

It is worth noting one feature in the travels led by Przhevalsky - not a single person from his team died. It is amazing! Perhaps the fact that only soldiers and officers of the Russian army took part in his expeditions. This provided iron discipline and order.

In addition to the many discovered geographical features, this man discovered a number of new species of horses and camels. Who hasn't heard about the famous Przewalski's horse? The Tibetan bear, by the way, is also the discovery of a Russian traveler.

The British Royal Geographical Society named the Russian traveler Przhevalsky the greatest traveler in the world. Why? For 11 years of travel, he traveled huge distances, about 31,500 kilometers.

In addition, huge zoological collections were collected, many plant herbariums were compiled. Nikolay Przhevalsky is recognized all over the world. In several world institutes he was awarded the title of doctor. Nikolai Mikhailovich is an honorary citizen of St. Petersburg and Smolensk. In 1891, the Russian Geographical Society established a medal and a prize named after the traveler.

Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky (March 31, 1839, Kimborovo village, Smolensk province - October 20, 1888, Karakol) - Russian traveler and naturalist. Undertook several expeditions to Central Asia. In 1878 he was elected an honorary member of the Academy of Sciences. Major General (since 1886).

Becoming a future researcher

Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky was born on April 12, 1839 in the village of Kimborovo, Smolensk province, into a poor family. He lost his father at the age of six. He was raised by his mother, a smart and strict woman. She gave her son wide freedom, allowed him to leave the house in any weather, wander through the forest and swamps. Her influence on her son was very great. To her, as well as to the nanny Olga Makarievna, Nikolai Mikhailovich forever retained a tender affection.

From childhood, N. M. Przhevalsky became addicted to hunting. He retained this passion for the rest of his life. Hunting hardened his already healthy body, developed in him a love for nature, observation, patience and endurance. His favorite books were descriptions of travels, stories about the customs of animals and birds, and various geographical books. He read a lot and memorized everything he read to the smallest detail. Often, comrades, testing his memory, took a book familiar to him, read one or two lines on any page, and then Przhevalsky spoke whole pages by heart.

After graduating from the Smolensk gymnasium, a sixteen-year-old youth entered the army during the Crimean War. In 1861, he began to study at the Military Academy, after which he was sent back to the Polotsk regiment, where he served earlier. At the Academy, N. M. Przhevalsky compiled the “Military Statistical Review of the Amur Territory”, which was highly appreciated in the Russian Geographical Society and served as the basis for his election in 1864 as a member of the Society. All his life and activities were later connected with this Society.

From an early age, N. M. Przhevalsky dreamed of traveling. When he managed to escape from the regiment in Big city- Warsaw and become a teacher at a military school, he used all his strength and means to prepare for travel. For himself, he set the most strict regime: he worked a lot in the university zoological museum, the botanical garden and in the library. His desk books at that time were: the works of K. Ritter about Asia, "Pictures of Nature" by A. Humboldt, various descriptions of Russian travelers in Asia, publications of the Russian Geographical Society, books on zoology, especially on ornithology (about birds).

N. M. Przhevalsky took his teaching duties very seriously, prepared thoroughly for classes, and presented the subject in an interesting and fascinating way. He wrote a textbook on general geography. His book, scientifically and vividly written, at one time enjoyed great success in military and civilian educational institutions and was published in several editions.

Ussuri expedition

At the beginning of 1867, N. M. Przhevalsky moved from Warsaw to St. Petersburg and presented his plan for a trip to Central Asia to the Russian Geographical Society. The plan did not receive support. He was given only letters of recommendation to the authorities of Eastern Siberia. Here he managed to get a business trip to the Ussuri region, which was annexed to Russia shortly before. In the instruction, N. M. Przhevalsky was instructed to inspect the location of the troops, collect information on the number and condition of Russian, Manchurian and Korean settlements, explore the paths leading to the borders, correct and supplement the route map. In addition, it was allowed to "make any kind of scientific research." Going on this expedition in the spring of 1867, he wrote to his friend: “... I am going to the Amur, from there to the river. Ussuri, Lake Khanka and on the shores of the Great Ocean, to the borders of Korea. Yes! An enviable share and a difficult duty fell on me - to explore areas in most of which the foot of an educated European had not yet set foot. Moreover, this will be my first statement about myself to the scientific world, therefore, you need to work hard.”

As a result of his Ussuri expedition, N. M. Przhevalsky gave a good geographical description of the region. In the economy of Primorye, he emphasized the discrepancy between the richest natural resources and their insignificant use. He was especially attracted by the Khanka steppes with their fertile soils, extensive pastures and the enormous wealth of fish and poultry.

N. M. Przhevalsky colorfully, in all its charm and originality, showed the geographical features of the Ussuri region. He noticed, among other things, a characteristic feature of the nature of the Far East: the "junction" of southern and northern plant and animal forms. N. M. Przhevalsky writes: “It is somehow strange for an unusual eye to see such a mixture of forms of north and south, which collide here both in the plant and animal worlds. Particularly striking is the sight of a spruce entwined with grapes, or a cork tree and a walnut growing next to a cedar and a fir. A hunting dog looks for you a bear or a sable, but right next to it you can meet a tiger that is not inferior in size and strength to the inhabitant of the Bengal jungle.

N. M. Przhevalsky considered the Ussuri journey as a preliminary reconnaissance before his difficult expeditions to Central Asia. It cemented his reputation as an experienced traveler-explorer. Soon after that, he began to petition for permission to travel to the northern outskirts of China and to the eastern parts of southern Mongolia.

In the spring of 1868, he again went to Khanka Lake, then pacified the Chinese robbers in Manchuria, for which he was appointed senior adjutant of the headquarters of the troops of the Amur Region. The results of his first trip were the essays "On the foreign population in the southern part of the Amur Region" and "Travel in the Ussuri Territory". About 300 species of plants were collected, more than 300 stuffed birds were made, and many plants and birds were discovered in Ussuri for the first time.

First trip to Central Asia

In 1870, the Russian Geographical Society organized an expedition to Central Asia. Przhevalsky was appointed its head. Together with him, Lieutenant Mikhail Alexandrovich Pyltsov participated in the expedition. Their path lay through Moscow and Irkutsk to Kyakhta, where they arrived in early November 1870, and further to Beijing, where Przhevalsky received travel permission from the Chinese government.

On February 25, 1871, Przhevalsky moved from Beijing north to Dalai-Nur Lake, then, after resting in Kalgan, he explored the Suma-Khodi and Yin-Shan ridges, as well as the course of the Yellow River (Huang He), showing that it does not have a branching, as thought before on the basis of Chinese sources; having passed through the Alashan desert and the Alashan mountains, he returned to Kalgan, having made 3,500 versts in 10 months.

On March 5, 1872, the expedition set out again from Kalgan and moved through the Alashan desert to the Nanshan ranges and further to Lake Kukunor. Then Przhevalsky crossed the Tsaidam basin, overcame the Kunlun ranges and reached the upper reaches of the Blue River (Yangtze) in Tibet.

In the summer of 1873, Przhevalsky, having replenished his equipment, went to Urga (Ulaanbaatar), through the Middle Gobi, and from Urga in September 1873 he returned to Kyakhta. Przhevalsky traveled more than 11,800 kilometers through the deserts and mountains of Mongolia and China and mapped (on a scale of 10 versts in 1 inch) about 5,700 kilometers.

The scientific results of this expedition amazed contemporaries. Przhevalsky was the first European to penetrate into the deep region of Northern Tibet, to the upper reaches of the Huang He and Yangtze (Ulan Muren). And he determined that Bayan-Khara-Ula is the watershed between these river systems. Przhevalsky gave detailed descriptions the deserts of the Gobi, Ordos and Alashani, the highlands of Northern Tibet and the Tsaidam basin discovered by him, for the first time mapped more than 20 ridges, seven large and a number of small lakes on the map of Central Asia. Przhevalsky's map was not accurate, because due to very difficult travel conditions, he could not make astronomical determinations of longitudes. This significant defect was later corrected by himself and other Russian travelers. He collected collections of plants, insects, reptiles, fish, and mammals. At the same time, new species were discovered that received his name: Przewalski's foot-and-mouth disease, Przewalski's splittail, Przewalski's rhododendron... The two-volume work "Mongolia and the Tangut Country" brought the author world fame and was translated into a number of European languages.

The Russian Geographical Society awarded Przhevalsky the Big Gold Medal and the "highest" awards - the rank of lieutenant colonel, a lifetime pension of 600 rubles annually. He received gold medal Paris Geographical Society. His name was put next to Semyonov Tyan-Shansky, Krusenstern and Bellingshausen, Livingston and Stanley.

Second expedition

My second Central Asian trip Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky starts in 1876. It was conceived on a very large scale, it was supposed to explore Tibet and Lhasa, but due to the complication of the political situation (the conflict with China) and the illness of Przhevalsky himself, the route had to be shortened.

Starting your journey with Kulja, overcoming Tien Shan ranges and the Tarim Basin Przhevalsky reached in February 1877 a huge reed swamp-Lake Lobnor. According to his description, the lake was 100 kilometers long and 20 to 22 kilometers wide. On the banks of the mysterious Lop Nor, in the "land of Lop", Przhevalsky was the second ... after Marco Polo!

No obstacles prevented the researchers from making their discoveries: the lower reaches of the Tarim with a group of lakes and the Altyn-Tag ridge were described, and materials on the ethnography of the Lobnors (Karakurchins) were collected. After some time, an entry appears in Nikolai Mikhailovich’s diary: “A year will pass, misunderstandings with China will be settled, my health will improve, and then I will again take the wanderer’s staff and again head to the Asian deserts” 2

Third expedition

In March 1879, Przhevalsky began his third journey through Central Asia, which he called the "First Tibetan". He proceeded through the Dzungarian Gobi - "a vast undulating plain" - and quite correctly determined its dimensions. Having passed Lake Barkel, Przhevalsky went to the Hami oasis. Further, he crossed the eastern outskirts of the Gashun Gobi and reached the lower reaches of the Danhe River, and to the south of it he discovered the "huge ever-snowy" Humboldt Range. Through the pass (3670 m) - at the junction of Altyntag and Humboldt - Przhevalsky went south and, having crossed three short ridges, descended to the village of Dzun. From there, Przhevalsky moved to the southwest and found out that the Kunlun here stretches in a latitudinal direction and consists of two, sometimes three parallel chains (from 64 to 96 km wide) that have different names in their various parts. According to the nomenclature adopted for maps of the late 20th century, Przhevalsky identified the western part of Burkhan-Buddha, a little to the south - Bokalyktag, which he called the Marco Polo ridge (with a peak of 5851 m), and south of Kukushili - the Bungbura-Ula ridge, which stretches along left bank of Ulan Muren (upper Yangtze). Further south, Tibet itself stretched before the traveler. Beyond the 33rd parallel, Przhevalsky discovered the watershed of the Yangtze and Salween - almost the latitudinal Tangla ridge (with peaks up to 6621 m). From a gentle, barely noticeable pass, Przhevalsky saw eastern part the Nyenchentanglha range. He found his way to forbidden Lhasa and was about 300 km from it, but was forced to turn back: a rumor spread in Lhasa that a Russian detachment was coming to kidnap the Dalai Lama. Przhevalsky followed the same route to the upper reaches of the Yangtze and somewhat to the west of the former route to the Dzung. An attempt to penetrate to the sources of the Huang He was unsuccessful due to the impossibility of crossing the river.

Fourth expedition

Despite the painful illness, Przhevalsky went on the fourth (second Tibetan) expedition of 1883-1885, during which he discovered a number of new lakes and ridges in the Kunlun, having traveled 1800 km, delineated the Tsaidam basin, almost 60 years before the discovery of Pobeda Peak (7439 m ) indicated its existence by first describing it. In 1888, going on a new journey, he wept bitterly, as if saying goodbye forever, upon arrival in Karakol he felt ill and died a few days later - according to the official version, from typhoid fever. Already today, three medical experts have come to the conclusion that Hodgkin's disease was the cause of his death.

Personality

The personal qualities of N. M. Przhevalsky ensured the success of his expedition. He selected his employees from simple, inexhaustible, enterprising people and treated people of the “noble breed” with great distrust. He himself did not disdain any menial work. Discipline during the expedition was severe, without pomp and nobility. His assistants - V. I. Roborovsky and P. K. Kozlov - later became famous independent travelers. Many satellites participated in two or three expeditions, and the Buryats Dondok Irinchinov conducted four expeditions together with N. M. Przhevalsky.

In adulthood, N. M. Przhevalsky was absolutely indifferent to ranks, titles and awards, and just as indifferent to living research work. The traveler's passion was hunting, he himself was a brilliant shooter.

Being a well-educated naturalist, Przhevalsky was at the same time a born wanderer who preferred a lonely steppe life to all the benefits of civilization. Thanks to his persistent, resolute nature, he overcame the opposition of Chinese officials and the resistance of local residents, sometimes reaching open attacks and skirmishes.

Scientific significance of the activity

The scientific results of N. M. Przhevalsky's travels are enormous and versatile. With his travels, he covered vast areas, collected rich scientific collections, made extensive research and geographical discoveries, processed the results and summed up. He handed over the various scientific collections he had collected to the scientific institutions of Russia: ornithological and zoological - to the Academy of Sciences, botanical - to the Botanical Garden.

Fascinating descriptions of the travels of N. M. Przhevalsky are at the same time strictly scientific. His books are among the best geographical writings. These are the brilliant results of the great traveler. His works contain subtle artistic descriptions of many birds and wild animals, plants, landscapes and natural phenomena of Asia. These descriptions became classics and were included in special works on zoology, botany, and geography.

N. M. Przhevalsky considered the compilation of a detailed report on the expedition carried out to be the most important thing. Returning from the expedition, he used every opportunity to work on the report, even at random stops. N. M. Przhevalsky began a new expedition only after the publication of a book about the previous one. He wrote over two thousand printed pages about his travels. All his works, upon their publication in Russian, immediately appeared in translations in foreign languages ​​abroad. It happened that editions of N. M. Przhevalsky's works abroad diverged faster than in Russia.

N. M. Przhevalsky had no rivals in enterprise, energy, determination, resourcefulness. He literally yearned for unknown countries. Central Asia attracted him with its lack of exploration. No difficulties frightened him. According to the general results of his work, N. M. Przhevalsky took one of the most honorable places among the famous travelers of all times and peoples. His activity is an exceptional example of a steady pursuit of his goal and the talented fulfillment of his task. Fearlessness, selfless love for science, fortitude, purposefulness and organization of Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky make him related to the people of our era.