The monograph examines the economic state of the Western Caspian and its place in the Caucasian economic policy of Russia, studied the place and role of shopping centers of the Western Caspian in trade and economic contacts of Russia with the peoples of the North Caucasus and with the countries of the East in the XVII-XVIII centuries., The significance of this trade for all its participants is shown. The work attempted to show the role of eastern merchants in the development of international transit trade through the Western Caspian.