Alexandrovskoye

Alexandrovskoye grew from a Russian fortress between the Bolshoy and Maly Tomuzlov streams on the North Caucasian steppe. Founded in 1777, the stronghold formed part of the Azov–Mozdok line, a chain of forts intended to secure Russia's southern frontier. Cossack families settled beside the garrison. In 1785 the fortress became the town of Alexandrov and the centre of a district. Its place on the line linked the Kuma country with the forts farther west and the passes toward the Caucasus.