The Russo-Circassian War Hostile_encounter ( 1763–1864 ) involved a series of battles Hostile_encounter and wars Hostile_encounter in Circassia , the northwestern part of the Caucasus , during the course of the Russian Empire 's conquest Conquering of the Caucasus .

Circassia ( Cherkessia in Russian ) refers Adducing to a region the majority of whose inhabitants before the 1860s were the Adygey ( Adyghey , Adyghe ) ethnic group , known Know to the West as Circassians .

The western bulk of `` Circassia '' , they belonged to any of about ten tribes , living in communities headed by chieftains .

In the east of `` Circassia '' were two feudal polities , Greater Kabardá and Lesser Kabardá .

In this period of history , the Circassians were Christians ; Islam did not begin Process_start to penetrate Circassia until the following century .