Emelian Ivanovich Pugachev

Pugachev, Emelian Ivanovich (1742–75), Cossack leader of the great Urals peasant revolt (1773–74). Claiming to be Peter III, murdered husband of Catherine II of Russia, he declared serfdom abolished and led an army of serfs and Cossacks that seized several cities and killed thousands before he was captured, sent to Moscow in an iron cage, and executed.

See also: Cossacks.