Archeological excavations in the East of Mogilev revealed a
late-Mesolithic settlement (6,000 - 5,000 years BC). In Zmeyevka, on the right
bank of Dubrovenka river, archeologists discovered another settlement that was
called Pelageyevskoye (6th cent. BC - 13th cent. AD), Mogila settlement was dug
out in the Gorky Park (5th cent.). In the 10th century, Mogilev joined Kiev
Russia. There are a number of legends as to what the name of the city originated
from. According to one of them, the city was named after duke Lev Danilovich
Mogiy (Mighty Lion), who founded Mogilev castle, the Chronicles of Mogilev
inform. However, there is no archeological evidence of the castle's existence.
Some researchers believe that Mogilev comes from the name of Duke of Polotsk Lev
Vladimirovich (Mighty Lion, too). A folk tale says the name comes from the name
of an epic hero Masheka whose burial mound, called Mogila Lva (Lion's Grave),
later was used as a basis for the city. One of Mogilev cemeteries is located on
a hill called Mashekovka.
In the 14th century, Mogilev joined the Great Duchy of Lithuania. In late 14th -
early 15th centuries, the city was under Queen Yadviga - wife of King of Poland
and Great Duke of Lithuania Yagailo. In 1503, Mogilev was conferred to Yelena
Ioanovna - wife of King of Poland and Great Duke of Lithuania Alexander, in 1514
- conferred to Y. Zenovich. In 1589-1722 the city was the center of Mogilev
estate. Starting in late 15th century, the city started to grow, which is proven
by a new castle that was built in that time and new expressions like "noble
Mogilevans" that started to appear in written sources, whereas earlier
sources mentioned only "noble Polotskans".
Another chronicle says, "a great castle was built in 1526", which is
proven by archeological evidence. According to Polish historian Lovmiansky,
Mogilev was the biggest city in the east of Belarus in the first half of the
16th century. In 1604, the city's population totaled 15,000. By early 17th
century, Mogilev became one of the biggest trade centers of Belarus, by mid-17th
century - of the Great Dutchy of Lithuania. Craftsmen made a considerable part
of the population (about 45%). In the second half of the 16th century, there
were as many as 40 different types of craftsmen in Mogilev, by mid-17th century
- 80. Most of the craftsmen formed craft workshops in late 16th century. At that
time there were 12 workshops in Mogilev, in 1604 - 18. The workshops countered
craftsmen who did not want to join them.
As of mid-17th century most crafts were small-scale commodity productions, which
is proven by a great number of small shops owned by the producers (in 1577 - 157
shops, in early 17th century - about 400). Trade business was mostly run by
merchants (26-30% of Mogilev population). The highest ranks of merchants ruled
in the city and in 1636 formed a merchant fraternity, thereby trying to
monopolize the city market. In the first half of the 17th century Mogilev's
merchants cooperated with over 60 cities. The most active trade was conducted
with nearby settlements that were located within 10 miles from the city. In
those settlements Mogilev merchants were exempt from dues. The fact that Mogilev
was conveniently located on the bank of the Dnepr, at the cross section of
trading ways gave its merchants the possibility to deal with other remote
cities. Apart from crafting and trading the citizens of Mogilev went in for
agriculture (which satisfied the city's demand for bread by 25%), gardening and
cattle-breeding.
Mogilev citizens belonged to various social and financial strata. Secular and
clerical feudalists were the most powerful (Polish gentry, clericals,
administration of the castle) and enjoyed a privileged position. The majority of
the population was made up by petty bourgeoisie: merchants, traders, craftsmen.
The top rank of the class was comprised of major merchants, rich craftsmen and
heads of workshops. Another major portion of the population was called middle
class - medium merchants and craftsmen - that carried and endured the lion's
share of all the taxes and dues imposed on the population of the city. Poor
population was also a part of the bourgeois stratum: apprentices and minor
traders who could hardly make enough money to make their ends meet. Servants and
hirelings were the poorest part of Mogilev population. Until mid-16th century,
citizens had to perform the same duties as peasants, but the rapid economic
growth of Mogilev in the 16th century drastically changed the pattern of city
life. In 1555, a royal order was issued under which, all citizens had to perform
25% of all construction and repair works in the castles. The top ranks of the
petty bourgeoisie became economically independent and tried to move away from
the ruling feudal administration of the city that imposed too high taxes on the
merchants and money lenders of Mogilev. They many times applied to the top
authorities and finally on February 20, 1561 Great Duke of Lithuania Sigismund
II Augustus issued a decree that granted Mogilev the right to set up its own
management unit - voitovstvo - that would be separate from the volost
administration.
Under the Union of Lublin that was signed by the Great Duchy of Lithuania and
Poland Mogilev was made part of the newly-formed Polish-Lithuanian Confederation
(Rzecz Pospolita).
On January 28, 1577, Mogilev received the right for self-government -
Magdeburger Recht (Magdeburg Law). Bourgeoisie was granted more legal freedom,
the power was transferred to the magistrate that consisted of mayors,
counselors, assessors and "pauper constables". Before 1666 magistrate
consisted of 2 and later - 5 groups each of which ruled the city for one year.
Voyt was the head of the city administration and was appointed by the king for
term of life. Before mid-17th century Mogilev's voyts did not reside in the city
and only visited it from time to time. They were represented by their deputies -
lentvoyts (appointed by voyts till 1580 and later elected by the citizens). In
1588 Mogilev citizens were granted the right to set up a control-and-advisory
body of 12 "pospolites" that were elected each year. The pospolites
were supposed to see to it that the city's funds were properly used and assist
the magistrate in solving the city's problems. Alongside with Magdeburg Law,
Mogilev got the right to build its own city hall and create its own
coat-of-arms: stone tower on a light blue background. Also, the city received
the right to hold 2 fairs per year.
In 1580, when Russian and Polish-and-Lithuanian troops were involved in Livonian
War (1558-1583), Mogilev was largely destroyed, and most of the houses were
burnt down. Suffering great losses, Russian troops withdrew from the city.
Political life of Mogilev in late 16-early 17 centuries was fraught with pungent
political battles. Now and then, bourgeoisie stood up against secular and
clerical feudalists who owned part of the city's lands and thus impeded its
economic growth and expansion. In 1594-96, Mogilev witnessed anti-feudal
rebellion of Cossacks and peasants. On December 13, 1595 the city was seized by
S. Nalivayko who managed to hold Mogilev for 2 weeks. However, Nalivayko's
1,000-men strong troops yielded to the superior feudal forces.
Medium and lower layers of Mogilev population fought against the magistrate and
the affluent. In 1606-1610, the city saw a number of rebellions following about
20 years of minor frictions between the poor and the rich. In July 1606, the
rebels broke into the city hall, dissolved the administration and elected a new
one, out of the poorest craftsmen. The new administration (called Rada) ruled
the city for as long as two years, taking care of the poorest citizens and
living up to the principle of equality of all people. By 1608, the authorities
managed to undermine the Rada by bribes and threats. Eventually, the power was
handed over to the previous magistrate again. The head of the radical
administration, Khodko Bogdanovich, was sentenced to death. In 1610, the city's
have-nots tried to hold another rebellion, but the attempt was severely stifled
and 5 of its instigators were executed. Other rebellions against the upper
classes were held in 1636 and 1638.
After Brest Church Union of 1596 united the Orthodox and Catholic churches on
the territory of Poland-Lithuania confederation, religious struggle toughened in
Belarus. Orthodox fraternities, as a specific form of protest, were formed. A
fraternity of Mogilev furriers (1589) was the first in Belarus. Similar
fraternities were organized at the Spas, Preobrazhenskaya, Bogoyavlenskaya and
Krestovozdvizhenskaya churches. The groups played significant role in the
enlightenment, opened church schools, maintained a printing house (1616-1773).
By mid-17th century, class struggle in Mogilev intensified and intertwined with
the struggle in Ukraine and Belarus led by Bogdan Khmelnitsky.
During the 1654-67 war between Poland and Russia, Russia's adherent Poklonsky,
one of Mogilev bourgeois, sided with Russian King Alexey Mikhailovich, received
the title of a colonel and formed a 6,000-men regiment. On August 24, 1654,
Mogilev opened its gates to the Russian army and let it in the city. The new
government let the city retain its Magdeburger Recht and gave Mogilev the right
to elect the head of the city administration - voyt. Voevode was in charge of
the military affairs and was appointed from Russian boyars. In late 1654, Polish
and Lithuanian feudalists resumed the military actions. On February 2, 1655, a
20,000-men strong army led by hetman Radzivil drew to Mogilev and started the
siege. About 7,000 warriors stood up to protect the city. On the crucial
February 6, Poklonsky betrayed the besieged and helped Radzivil's get over the
outer bulwark. Mogilev selflessly struggled for 3 more months. Radzivil's
attempts to storm the city were repulsed. Feeling that it was no longer sensible
to siege the city and fearing of a possible arrival of Cossacks from Ukraine,
Radzivil set the city on fire and withdrew on May 1. The repulsion offered by
Mogilev in 1655 distracted a considerable part of Polish-and-Lithuanian forces,
disrupted Radzivil's ambitious plans, held him from inflicting damage on the
friendly Ukrainian people. In summer 1660, the army of the Great Duchy of
Lithuania under the command of hetman Sapega approached Mogilev. For a number of
times, Sapega suggested that the city gave up, but Mogilev stood firm. However,
the bourgeoisie and the haves of the city plotted against the Russian voevode,
eliminated the archer troop and delivered the city to the enemy on February 2,
1661.
In 1661, King Yan Kazimir gave the city a new coat-of-arms: three towers on the
light-blue background, a knight standing in the gates of the middle one, and a
rider in the upper part of the coat-of-arms (Pahonia - "pursuit").
Economic conditions in the city worsened in early 18th century. Mogilev area
served as the theater of operations in the North war (1700-1721) and therefore
suffered much from the military operations. In June 1706, Peter the Great
visited Mogilev. In March-July 1708, Russian troops were stationed in Mogilev
vicinities and the citizens had to provide them with food, weapons and other
supplies, participate in bridging the Dnepr. On July 7, 1708 Mogilev is occupied
by King Charles XII. The Swedes divided the city in 15 districts, each of which
had to provide 312 poods of bread and 3,000 liters of beer every day. They
ransacked the churches and monasteries, carrying away as much as 9 poods of
silver. Over the 6 weeks that the invaders stayed in the city, they took away
all of the city's foodstuffs and destroyed as many as 1,700 houses.
Starting from the 18th century, Mogilev's industrial pattern changed. Trade
capital penetrated the small-scale production. The city retained the trade
liaisons with its old partners, but the fact that Russia was able to use
waterways such as the Baltic Sea substantially decreased the extent to which
Mogilev participated in East-West trade.
At the same time, the city Rada, suffrage system and administrative principles
were reformed.
In 1772, after the first split of Rzecz Pospolita, Mogilev was appended to
Russia. It was alternately considered the center of Mogilev province (till 1775)
and Mogilev district, Mogilev namestnichestvo (from 1778), uezd of Belarus
gubernia (from 1796) and uezd of Mogilev gubernia (from 1802). Self-government
was reformed, too: the city was stripped of Magdeburger Recht, rada was replaced
by duma. In 1781, a new coat-of-arms was introduced: "Pahonia on the red
background, plus a half of the Russian two-headed eagle".
The city was robbed during the Patriotic war of 1812.
In 1861 when the serfdom was abolished, the development of Mogilev accelerated.
In 1885 there were 124 enterprises (270 workers), in 1900 - 220(790 workers). In
early 20th century Mogilev had 3 groups of credit institutions: those of
commercial, land and small credits, 3 printing houses and mechanical workshops.
In 1867, Mogilev museum was founded. July 1883 saw the first issue of "Mogilev
eparchy news", in 1888 the city theatre was built. As of 1897 the city's
population amounted to 43119 (47.7% were literate). The first actions by
proletariat in Mogilev can be dated to the 1890-ies.
Economic crisis and the depression of the early 20th century sharpened the
differences between classes. 1901 saw the strike by workers of the butter plant,
1903 of Mogilev tailors. Political rallies were regularly held on May 1,
1901-1904. Late May 1905 saw a strike by bakers, December of 1905 saw a strike
by railway workers. May of 1906 - by hairdressers, shoemakers, tailors who
demanded that the workday be reduced to 9 hours. Since the beginning of the
First World War martial law was introduced in Mogilev gubernia. On March 22,
1917 Mogilev deputy council of workers and soldiers was formed following the
February revolution. In the first half of 1917 Mogilev workers held a number of
strikes seeking various political and economic objectives.
After the October revolution Mogilev remained under anti-Soviet forces for a
whole month. On November 18th 1917, Mogilev deputy council of workers and
soldiers passed a resolution that accepted the Soviet rule and took over the
power in Mogilev. On February 18, 1918 German imperialists violated the
conditions of the truce and led war against the Soviet Union. On February 22
Mogilev formed military-and-revolutionary committee that was in charge of
protecting the population of Mogilev gubernia from the interventionists. On
March 12 1918 Mogilev was occupied by the Polish corps of Dovbor-Musnitski, on
May 26 - German troops.
Soviet bodies were dissolved, Dumas came back to life, rallies and meetings were
prohibited, a curfew was introduced. On October 31 1918 the Red Army entered
Mogilev and took over the power. In 1919-1924 Mogilev was the centre of Mogilev
uezd of Gomel gubernia of the RSFSR. In 1924 Mogilev is appended to Belarus; in
1924-30 - the centre of Mogilev district, starting from January 15th, 1938 -
center of Mogilev region.
As many as 25,000 people volunteered for the Red Army over the first four days
of the Great Patriotic War. June 24-July 3, 1941: Mogilev shelters headquarters
of the Western front. In seven days the city was surrounded by two defensive
lines. Infantry division #172 protected Mogilev in those days. On July 26, 1941
fascists seized Mogilev, introduced cruel regime and created 5 death camps. Over
70,000 Soviet people died in Mogilev during the war, 30,000 were taken to
Germany. On April 6, 1943 Mogilev partisan army was formed that contained 34,000
people.
In June 1944 the Red Army launched the Belarusian offensive operation (code name
Bagration). Mogilev operation made part of Bagration. On June 28 Mogilev was
liberated from the German invaders.
On April 25, 1980 Mogilev was awarded the first-class Order of the Great
Patriotic War for the bravery and firmness revealed by its citizens during the
war.