Many believe that a coachman is a person who manages a wagon and is engaged in transporting people. In general, this definition is not far from the truth, although the concept has a broader meaning. Consider who such a coachman, what are the features of this profession? What is the "Yamskaya chase"?
Value
A coachman is a person driving horse-drawn vehicles. He is engaged in transportation of cargo, correspondence and passengers. This name appeared during the Golden Horde. The word “driver” came from the name “pit” worn by postal stations. Before the advent of railways in Russia, coachmen were involved in the majority of land transportation of commercial goods. Therefore, they were of tremendous importance for the country's economy, and at some point formed a separate estate.
Yamskaya chase
The Mongol-Tatars called pits stations where they could change horses, replenish provisions and rest. From here this name went to post stations that were at the same distance from each other. When they stopped messengers who were engaged in the delivery of mail. The postal service of Russia at that time was called the "Yamskaya chase." Initially, the Tatars used it for quick communication among themselves. After the liberation of the territories, the service was used to deliver state correspondence. To carry passengers and private correspondence, the Yamskaya race began only at the end of the 17th century.
The value of drivers in that time period is difficult to overestimate. In winter, coachmen used sledges to move, making the speed of mail delivery significantly increased. Therefore, many merchants preferred to send goods in the winter. The speed of transfer of goods by the Yamskaya chase was significantly higher than the speed of European couriers. At first, the coachmen used a whistle or postal horn to notify their arrival. Bells soon became popular. Even a decree was issued by which only the postal service, the police and officials had the right to hang bells on their crews.
Conscription
Coachmen were in the public service. From the 10th to the 18th centuries, they performed the Yamsky service, which consisted of the following duties:
- mail delivery;
- movement of goods;
- transportation of statesmen and diplomats.
Initially, coachmen were people who observed order in the pits and took care of horses, while local peasants acted as messengers. Later hired couriers appeared, who also began to be called the coachman. This is due to the fact that because of their own problems, peasants rarely agreed to such work. In Siberia, service was assigned to local Cossacks, as couriers were subject to frequent attacks by robbers. Cossacks for service received provisions and a considerable salary.
Coachmen were exempted from taxation. They often received arable land for service. In general, a separate estate of coachmen stood out. The need for them decreased significantly in the XX century, when steam locomotives and cars began to appear in the country.
Thus, the coachman is the person managing the crew and engaged in the transportation of correspondence, goods and passengers. Before the advent of the railroads, the “Yamskaya Chase” was of great economic importance. It was one of the fastest and most efficient email services in the world.