a town of Russia, in the government of Tambov, loo m. S.S.E. of the city of that name, in 51� 22' N. lat. and 43� 4' E. long. It was founded in 1646 to defend the southern frontiers of Muscovy against the Crimean Tatars, and in 1696 was surrounded by wooden fortifications. The principal industries are the preparation of wool, iron-casting, soap-boiling, tallowmelting, and brick-making; and there is an active trade in grain, wool, cattle, and leather, and two important annual fairs. Pop. (1867) 12, 2 54; (1897) 22,370.