The royal governors, using the important economic and strategic position of the Terek fortress, imposed various taxes and duties on the highlanders and extorted bribes from them.

For example, the Chechens who lived in the Terek fortress had to pay a duty when exporting goods to their fellow tribesmen in the rest of Chechnya.

[2][3] The teachings and propaganda of Murat Kuchukov, who became popular among the North Caucasian peoples, lead to rebellions against Russia and the local princes.

The social composition of the rebels also mostly included both poor highlanders and wealthy, who, however, were united by dissatisfaction with the policy of the Russian administration.

Aim of the Murat and his attack on the fortress was to break through the Russian defences, travel North, and join the Bashkir rebellion.