Metskhal

The name was most likely based on the Ingush word "metskhalg", meaning "swift", which was revered by the Ingush. Metskhal may also have a connection to the name of the ancient Georgian capital, Mtskheta.{{Cite web|last=Голан|first=А.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816095456/http://www.fedy-diary.ru/?page_id=4627|title="Миф и символ" (избранное)|trans-title="Myth and Symbol" (favorited)|volume=1|website=www.fedy-diary.ru|url=http://www.fedy-diary.ru/?page_id=4627|archive-date=2016-08-16|access-date=2016-07-03}}

Metskhal is located northeast of the village of Falkhan, on the spur of Mount Myat-Loam.

File:Мецхал, 1903 год.jpg

On January 8, 1811, the foremen of 13 (Fyappin) villages, including Metskhal, signed an act of oath to the Empire Russian Empire.{{harvnb|Доклад о границах и территории Ингушетии|2021|page=82}} (referring to РГВИА Ф. ВУА Д. 6184, Ч. 72, Л. 85; АКАК, Т. IV, Д. 1389, p. 904). However, it is worth noting that even after these oaths by individual Ingush societies or clans, the nature of Russian–Ingush relations remained largely unchanged. In fact, both sides regarded these oaths as the conclusion of union treaties.{{sfn|Долгиева|Картоев|Кодзоев|Матиев|2013|page=236}}

According to the List of Populated Areas of the Military-Ossetian Okrug from 1859, Metskhal had 13 households and was part of the Military-Ossetian Okrug within the Kistin society.{{harvnb|Сборник документов и материалов|2014|pages=484–485}} (referring to Список населённых местностей Военно-осетинского округа 1859 г." (РГВИА. Ф. 13454. ОП. 15. Д. 202. Л. 101—111)).

In Metskhal there were once separate but closely interconnected tower castle complexes belonging to the Tochievs, Kotievs, Dzhabagievs, and Kusievs. Some scholars argue that this tower complex functioned as the administrative, cultural, and economic centre of the late medieval Fyappin/Metskhalin society (in the 19th century).{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808211455/http://ingushforum.ru/viewtopic.php?id=480|title=Мецхал, Бейни и Фалхан|trans-title=Metskhal, Beyni and Falkhan|website=www.ingushforum.ru|url=http://ingushforum.ru/viewtopic.php?id=480|archive-date=2016-08-08|access-date=2016-06-27}}

Metalworking was highly developed among the Ingush from ancient times. Local artisans skilfully combined various metalworking techniques, including graining, blackening, gilding, and inlay with multicoloured inserts. The most renowned jewellery-making centres among the Ingush included Metskhal and others.

Christianity occupied a significant place in the religious history of the region. It first reached the Ingush from Georgia (beginning from the 12th–13th centuries and again in the 17th century), and later from Russia (18th–19th centuries). Early Christian stone-box burials from this period were found near Metskhal and other villages.{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707085057/http://www.ingushetia.ru/about/kultura/duhov.php|title=Материальная и духовная культура Ингушей|trans-title=Material and spiritual culture of the Ingush|website=www.ingushetia.ru|url=http://www.ingushetia.ru/about/kultura/duhov.php|archive-date=2016-07-07|access-date=2016-06-27}}

The Metskhal tower complex was a large settlement consisting of two fortified castle complexes, including two battle towers. One of the battle towers had a flat roof and was clearly visible. Defensive walls and residential towers remained intact until 1944, when, following the deportation of Chechens and Ingush, the entire complex was mined and destroyed.

According to the stories passed down by the abreks (outlaws):{{Cquote|The Metskhal Tower was one of the largest. All attempts to destroy it ended in failure, and then the Soviet troops decided to fill the entire first floor with explosives. When the explosion was heard, nothing happened to it for several seconds, but a strong crack was heard. The tower was so strong that even with such a filling it was not torn to pieces, but it took off into the sky like a rocket, flew several meters high while being intact and fell on the ground and crashed!}}

{{reflist}}

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{{Rural localities in Ingushetia}}

Category:Rural localities in Ingushetia