Guba Institutions

local administrative bodies that were established in Russia in the 16th century and were abolished in 1702. They were introduced on the basis of guba charters granted by the government. Gradually, a guba administration was organized in every district, consisting of an elder, tseloval’niki (sworn assistants to the elders), and a clerk. The elders were chosen only from among the gentry and the deti boiarskie (second-rank nobility). This made the guba institutions agencies of the dictatorship of the pomeshchiki (fief holders) and dvorianstvo (nobility or gentry). The basic task of the guba institutions was the struggle against “evil men”—that is, all those who rose against the oppression of the gentry and merchants.