Hadji Murad

Hadji Murad is a Chechen warlord, renowned for his courage and skill in battle, as well as his chivalry. His family has been taken prisoner by Imam Shamil, and his main motive throughout the narrative is to secure their freedom. The author reveals little of Murad’s inner life, but he is clearly astute in his judgment of the Russians, understanding the essence of what is happening between them, even without knowing their language. Apart from family feeling, he is motivated by personal prestige and pride, and is deeply religious.

Sado

Sado is a loyal supporter of Hadji Murad in a village where almost everyone else is hostile to him. He gives shelter to Murad at the beginning of the story, even though this places him in danger.

Eldar

Eldar is one of Hadji Murad’s most loyal followers, notable chiefly for his absolute devotion. He is a strong, handsome young man with a serious manner, who is entrusted with the most serious missions by Murad.

Peter Avdeev

Peter Avdeev is a Russian soldier who is killed by the wounds he receives in a skirmish with the Chechens. He is an amiable, talkative character who, before his death, had befriended the Chechen messengers who came from Hadji Murad, announcing to his comrades that they were good fellows who were just like Russians.

Prince Vorontsov the Younger

Prince Vorontsov is a colonel in the Russian army and the scion of an immensely wealthy and aristocratic Russian family. His father is the Commander-in-Chief of the army. Vorontsov therefore has far more power and influence than other colonels, or even officers of higher rank, a fact that causes resentment. He is ambitious and eager to succeed on his own account, as well as to impress his father.

Princess Marya Vasilevna

Princess Marya Vasilevna is Vorontsov’s beautiful wife. She uses her beauty and tact to advance her husband’s career and to improve relations between him and the other officers. Despite this, she is unfaithful and has affairs with several of Vorontsov’s comrades.

Gamzalo

Gamzalo is one of Hadji Murad’s murids, or attendants. Unlike Murad and the others, he cannot hide his hatred for the Russians, and praises Imam Shamil extravagantly, even when speaking to the Russian officers.

General Meller-Zakomelsky

General Meller-Zakomelsky is an officer senior to Colonel Prince Vorontsov but inferior in wealth and social status. He is therefore resentful of Vorontsov and is angry that he accepted the surrender of Hadji Murad on his own account, without making a full report. However, he is somewhat mollified by the beauty and charm of Vorontsov’s wife, Princess Marya Vasilevna.

Aksinya Avdeev

Aksinya Avdeev has been married to Peter Avdeev for a year when she learns of his death. She laments for her husband but is secretly relieved, as she is pregnant by another man, whom she wishes to marry.

Prince Vorontsov the Elder

Prince Vorontsov is the Russian Commander-in-Chief, an aristocrat, and a man of great wealth. He is over seventy years old, with a long military career behind him. Although most of this career has been successful, he once came close to disaster in an encounter with Hadji Murad. Nonetheless, he treats Murad chivalrously and advises the Tsar to accede to his requests for Russian assistance.

Captain Loris-Melikov

Captain Loris-Melikov is the aide-de-camp to Prince Vorontsov the Elder, well-regarded by his chief. His ability to speak Tartar brings him close to Hadji Murad, who, at Loris-Melikov’s request, relates the story of his life. His courtesy and aristocratic bearing mark him out as one of the few Russians apart from Vorontsov who has the respect...