Founded in 1736 as one of three Cossack fortresses -- the Chelyaba, Miasska
and Chebarkulska -- Chelyabinsk was a replacement for an earlier fortress that
had lasted less than year due to the starvation of its garrison in a long winter.
Instructions by founder A. I. Tevkelev for the rebuilding of the fortresses were
simple and straightforward: "(1) The fortresses must not be more than 50 versts
apart, (2) they must be built in a strong place (3) there must be enough water
and food such that there are no shortages in the near future."
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