Who are the Arkhars? Basic versions

Nikolai Petrovich Arkharov is a Russian official, chief policeman from Moscow. The years of his life fall on the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. According to one of the versions, this person is the founder of the concept "arharovtsy". What is meant by this word? Who are the Arkhars? There are several versions.

"Arharovtsy" - this is a vernacular and outdated concept, which denoted hooligans, mischievous, dissolute and desperate people. In addition, the so-called police officers used to be called. These are the main versions of what "arharovets" means. We suggest you get to know this word more closely.

First version

According to the first version, the concept that interests us is derived from the name Arkharov. In the Russian Empire in the 18th century, a general lived from infantry, the policeman of Moscow. The name of this person also formed the basis for the meaning of the word "arharovets". It had an ironic connotation and was used to refer to a policeman, a servant of law and order. It is known that Nikolai Arkharov (his portrait is presented above) was of noble origin. In order to receive an officer's rank, he joined the Guards, after which he was a soldier of the Preobrazhensky regiment. It is also known that the patrons of Nikolai Petrovich Arkharov became famous for their "non-traditional" methods of investigation. In the past, some of them were hooligans and thieves. Although these police officers and repented, they did not forget their former "rough grasps". That's who the archharots are.

Second version

The second version is also based on the name Arhars. However, the interpretation of this name is different. At the end of the 18th century, presumably, the Arkharovites referred to soldiers belonging to the Moscow garrison. In Moscow at that time, power was in the hands of the two Arkharov brothers (at first one, and then the second), who were governor-general. This post assumed command of the Moscow regiment. Since the existence of the Streltsy troops, the regiments have traditionally been named in honor of the commanders who directed them. That is why the Moscow garrison regiment was nicknamed the Arkharovsk regiment. Accordingly, the soldiers who served in it, began to call us a word of interest.

The third version

There is one more version of who the Arkhars are. Some people used this word to designate hunters for mountain rams. After all, this rather mobile and dexterous animal is called only as arkhar.

The use of the word "arharovtsy" in our time

And nowadays many people know who the Arkhars are. This concept can refer (in a colloquially-joking manner) to children-fidgets, naughty people, mischievous people, etc. This word can be used in a condescending tone, and in joking, sometimes even judgmental. For example, in the series "The Streets of Broken Lanterns" Solovets Oleg Grigorievich, played by Alexander Polovtsev, sometimes called his subordinates - operatives, Volkova, Dukalis, Larin and Kazantsev. He put an expressively mocking and condemning connotation in the concept of "arharovets". The meaning of the word that interests us became known to many thanks to this series.