Kind of activity: the national hero of the Republic of Bashkortostan, one of the leaders of Peasants’ War 1773-1775, supporter of Yemelyan Pugachev. Poet –improvisator (sesen).

„You are so far, my fatherland! I would return to native land, In shackles I am, Bashkirs! Ways are covered with snows to me, But in spring snows will thaw, I did not die, Bashkirs!“ These words are probably written by Salavat Yulaev, are perceived today as a confession of the strong batyr, exhausted by tortures, interrogations, but not resigned himself to destiny. To a great regret, only small part of documents about his life and destiny, poetic works of Salavat who personified heroism and poetic talent of Bashkir people remained.

Salavat Yulaev was at the head of all revolted Bashkortostan from the very beginning of country war of 1773-1775. He was seized by imperial authorities on November, 24th, 1774, and his father Yulay Aznalin was seized even earlier. Put into irons they have been sent to Moscow. Yulai Aznalin was votchinnik (holder of patrimonial estate), rich, clever and influential man. He was held in the general respect from Bashkirs and was a Bauermeister (district foreman). Local authorities gave credence to him; his fidelity to Russian government could not be doubted.

In ten months after Salavat capturing, in September, 1775, he and his father were publicly punished by lashes in those places where the largest battles with the governmental armies passed. In a month they both were pulled out nostrils, on their foreheads and faces brands were put. On October, 2nd, 1775 chained by hands and legs Salavat and Yulay on two carts under protection were sent to transportation for life to the Baltic fortress Rogervik (nowadays the city of Paldiski in Estonia). The transport with convicts passed Menzelinsk, Kazan, Nizhni Novgorod, Moscow, and on November, 14th they reached Tver. Then there was Novgorod, Pskov, and Revel and on November, 29th they reached up Rogervik.

When Paul the First ascended the throne, the commandant of the fortress Langel submitted an inquiry about moving of the remained participants of Pugachev Revolt to Taganrog or to Irkutsk to a cloth factory. The resolution came from the Senate: „Mentioned convicts are subject of moving… For the villainies they are banished by the name imperial command, and it is ordered to keep them in this port with possible caution that they could not make runaway“. There was a special manifest from March, 17th, 1775 which was published by the late empress Ekaterina II. Of her will all participants of Pugachev revolt should be imprisoned for ever, and their names should „be betrayed to eternal oblivion, deep silence“. Under this manifest local authorities pursued everyone who pronounced the names of rebels.