The Romanov Dynasty of Russia Russia witnessed the Revolution in the month of February 1917 (Old Date in Julian Calendar). This Revolution is known as the February 1917 Revolution in Russia. The February 1917 Revolution resulted in the overthrow of the rule of Romanov Dynasty from Russia. Romanov Dynasty was ruling Russia from 1613 AD. Members of Romanov Dynasty were the descendants of Andrei Ivanovich Kobyla. He was a Boyar from Muscovite. Boyars used to be the members of feudal class from Bulgarian Empire, Russia, Serbia, Wallachia or Walachia (historic region of Romania), Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, etc. They used to be very high ranking feudals next to aristocratic or ruling family. The Boyar families used be quite powerful in the period of 10th to 17th centuries. Muscovite was the The Grand Duchy of Moscow or Grand Principality of Moscow. In English it is called as Muscovy. It used to be a principality in Russia during late middle ages (1250 AD to 1500 AD). It was located encompassing the Moscow. Andrei Ivanovich Kobyla was contemporary of Ivan I Kalita (Ivan Danilovich), he was Grand Prince or Grand Duke of Moscow and Vladimir. He was the Grand Prince of Moscow-present day capital of Russia from 1328 to 1340 and that of Vladimir (it is a region located to the east of Moscow.The important rivers in this region are Klyazma and Oka. Its administrative headquarters is Vladimir city located on the banks of Oka river) from 1331 to 1340. The Romanov Dynasty got its name from Roman Yurev. He was the father-in-law of Ivan the Terrible (Ivan Vasilyevich a.k.a. Ivan IV. He was the Grand Prince of Russia and became the first Tsar of Russia in 1547. He is credited with the establishment of strong central rule in Russia. He also included the non-Slavs in Russian Empire. He was involved in the wars against Sweden (Scandinavian country) and Poland (Eastern European country). In order to make the traditional nobility to accept the strong central rule of Tsar he terrorised them. Anastasiya Romanova Zakharina Yureva, the daughter of Roman Yurev was the first wife of Ivan IV the Terrible. Anastasiya Romanova Zakharina was born in 1530. Being the first wife of Ivan IV the Terrible, she became the first Tsarina of Russian Empire. Her son Fedor I was the last Tsar of Rurikid dynasty. Fedor I died in 1598 which gave rise to crisis in the Russian court. Anastasiya Romanova Zakharina was the great aunt of Michael I, the first Tsar belonging to Romanov Dynasty. He ruled between 1613 to 1645. He was son of Fyodor (Fedor) Nikita Romanov. Nikita was the brother of Anastasiya Romanova Zakharina. His children adopted the surname 'Romanov' in the honour of their grandfather who was also father of Tsarina Anastasiya Romanova. After Michael I, his son Alexis (Aleksey Mikhaylovich) became the Tsar of Russia. He was born on , 19 March 1969. He ruled from 1645 to 1676. His tutor was Boris Ivanovich Morozov, who was also Tsar Alexis's Chief Minister. He undertook lots of efforts in order to bring changes in the life of Gentry (people and having good social position and below the nobility in rank and position) people from town. His economy or austerity related decisions were responsible for the 1648 rebellion in Moscow. He arranged the marriage of Tsar Alexis with Maria Miloslavskaya and he himself married her sister Anna, thus he became the brother-in-law of Tsar Alexis. Among other things, Boris Ivanovich Morozov established the monopoly of state over tobacco and salt. Tsar Alexis was succeeded by his son Fyodor III (Fyodor Alekseyevich) as the Tsar of Russia. He was born on 30 May 1661. He ruled from 1676 to 1682. He promoted the western culture i.e. customary beliefs and social forms including the traits of religion, attitudes values, practices, etc. Apart from Russian, he was also trained in Polish and Latin languages. His tutor was Simeon Polotsky who was theologian (expert of theology i.e. study of religion) and had studied at Kiev (capital of Ukraine) and Poland. Fyodor III died on 7 May 1682. Fyodor III didn't have children hence, he was succeeded by two of his brothers viz. Ivan V and Peter I (he was half brother of Fyodor III). Ivan V and Peter I ruled jointly in the period of 1682-1696. Peter I was full- fledged ruler between the period of 1696-1725. During the period of 1682-1689, Sophia Alekseyevna acted as the regent. She was the sister of Ivan V and Peter I. Ivan V was the younger son of Tsar Alexis. His mother was Mariya Ilinichna Miloslavskaya. Ivan V (Ivan Alekseyevich) was born on 6 September 1666. He was mentally and physically unfit. He also suffered from scurvy (it is a disease caused by the deficiency of Vitamin C. Due to it the soreness and stiffness is experienced in joints. After some time bleeding starts from gums and teeth. After a prolonged stage the skin and muscles also gets affected and wounds doesn't get healed. If proper treatment is not taken it may prove to be fatal), he had low eyesight and he was not able to do proper body movements in the later stage of his life. After the death of Fyodor III, his half brother Peter I was to become the Tsar but Sophia, sister of Ivan V interfered in the matters and Ivan V and Peter I became the joint rulers of Russia. Sophia (Sofya Alekseyevna) was born on 27 September 1657. Her tutor was also Simeon Polotsky, the Belarussian scholar. Peter I (Pyotr Alekseyevich or Peter the Great) was born on 9 June 1672. Peter I is considered as one of the powerful and great rulers of Russia who brought lots of changes in different areas. His mother's name was Natalya Kirillovna Naryshkina. She was the second wife of Tsar Alexis. Her father's name was Kirill Naryshkin and he belonged to the family of nobility. Peter I was mentally and physically sound and interested in learning. In the beginning he learnt about many things from Nikita Zotov. He was very much inclined towards outdoor games and learnt the skills of carpentry, work of blacksmith and also printing. He was also interested in seafaring, mathematics and navigation. Peter I had travelled to many European countries. During the time of Peter I Russia was at war with many countries. He had introduced reforms in the field of administration, industry, commerce, technology, etc. Peter I is known as the intelligent, courageous and energetic Tsar of Russia. Peter I died on 8 February 1725. Peter I was succeeded by his wife Catherine I (Yekaterina Alekseyevna, her original name was Marta Skowronska). She was born on 15 April 1684. She was the second wife of Peter I. Catherine I was declared co-ruler in 1724, a year before the death of her husband, Peter I. She became full-fledged ruler in 1725 and ruled till 1727. After the death of Catherine I, Peter II became the ruler of Russia. He was great grandson of Peter I. He was born on 23 October 1715 and was Tsar from 1727 to 1730. Anna (Anna Ivanovna), the second daughter of Ivan V became the Tsarina of Russia in 1730 on the death of Peter II. She was Tsarina from 1730 to 1740. From 1740 to 1741 Ivan VI, son of Anna Leopoldovna became the Tsar. Anna Leopoldovna was Anna Ivanovna's elder sister's daughter. She was Regent of Ivan VI. In 1741 Ivan VI was made to depose and Elizabeth became the Tsarina of Russia. Elizabeth (Yelizaveta Petrovna in Russian) was born 29 December 1709. She was the Tsarina or Empress of Russia from 1741 to 1762. Her father was Peter I the Great and mother was Catherine I. The coup d'etat was effected by her in 1741 and as mentioned earlier Ivan VI was forced to depose the throne and Elizabeth became the Tsarina. It is said that she had vested the state administration to her favourite persons and advisers which weakened the governance on certain extent. She promoted the progress of education and art during her rule. The first University in Russia was founded during her times in Moscow. The first Academy devoted to Arts was established during her rule in the city of St. Petersburg. She also ordered to build the new palace and the result was the construction of elegant and extravagant fourth Winter Palace on the banks of Neva river in St. Petersburg. The construction of this Winter Palace began in 1754 with 4000 construction workers working on it. The construction of palace was completed after eight years in 1762. The palace had 460 rooms and was a three storey structure. It was designed in Baroque style (the architectural style that originated in late 16th century) by Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli. He was of Italian descent born in Paris in 1700. He moved to St. Petersburg in 1716 along-with his father, Bartolomeo Carlo Rastrelli who was sculptor. This iconic palace underwent many changes during the reigns of later rulers, especially during the times of Catherine II (reign- 1762 to 1796). She not only dismissed Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli but also ordered most of the Baroque style to be replaced with that of Neoclassical architecture. Neoclassical architecture means the revival of ancient Greek style architecture during 18th and 19th centuries. The notable features of this style are- grandeur, simplicity of geometric forms, use of columns and blank walls. It is said that Catherine II built lots of buildings in this architectural style in St.