Kainsky Pass (Outpost): History, Localization and Layout Plan

Purpose. This work is a continuation of the series of articles by the author devoted to the localization, architecture and layout plan of the defensive structures, the purpose of which was to ensure safe and uninterrupted traffic along the segment of the Moscow-Siberian Route from Tara to Tomsk: Ust-Tartassky, Ubinsky passes (outposts), Bergamak, Chausky and Umrevinsky ostrogs, Abakhan winter hut. Without a holistic view of the origin of these objects it is impossible to get a sufficiently complete picture of the functioning of the most important land transport communication in the Ob-Irtysh interfluve during the period of its formation in the first half of the 18th Century. The purpose of this study is to localize the Kainsky Pass and reconstruct its layout plan based on written sources.Results. The etymology of the word “pass” is established. Based on the original meaning of the word, the purpose of the construction of the Baraba outposts was identified. A text fragment from travel diary of J. G. Gmelin, dedicated to the Kainsky Pass (1741) was translated into Russian. Based on this source, the exact location of the Kainsky Pass (outpost) on the territory of the modern town of Kuybyshev (Novosibirsk Region) was determined (Str. Agafonov on the segment between Str. Kopiev and St. Saraynaya). A graphic and descriptive reconstruction of the layout plan of the Kainsky Pass was completed. It was established that the outpost had a sub-rectangular shape, “zaplot” constructed walls, two entrance towers, the yard contained the commander’s house, a barn, armoury room and 12 barracks. Outside the walls was a bathhouse. The Pass was surrounded by a ditch, Dragon’s teeth fortifications and cheval de frise.Conclusion. The analysis of J. G. Gmelin’s travel diary showed that this source is the main one on the early history of the Kainsky Pass. Without its careful study the first decades of this defensive structure can only be reconstructed hypothetically.