# Hadji Murád — Hadji Murád character guide > Hadji Murád in Hadji Murád by Leo Tolstoy. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Hadji, Lieutenant Hadji Murád **First appearance:** 0001-hadji-mur-d ## Snapshot A famed Avar warrior who defects to the Russians while his family languishes in Shamil's prison, forcing him to weigh vengeance against love. ## Who they are A legendary mountain fighter celebrated even among his enemies, Hadji Murád arrives at the Russian fort with a price on his head and a plan to free his wife, mother, and children from Shamil's grasp. He understands that the Russians see him as a weapon and Shamil sees him as a traitor, yet he moves through both worlds with the same unnerving calm, counting his gold and slapping a councillor's bald head. His torn loyalty—to family, to vengeance, to his own name—drives the novel's central question of whether a man can serve two masters without losing himself. ## Relationships ### [Prince Vorontsóv](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters/prince_vorontsov) _professional_ Hadji Murád defects to the Russians and becomes a temporary ally of Prince Vorontsóv, who sees him as a valuable asset but remains wary. ### [Shamil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters/shamil) _rivalry_ Hadji Murád and Shamil are bitter enemies after Shamil has Hadji Murád's family held hostage, leading to a deadly personal feud. ### [Márya Dmítrievna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters/marya_dmitrievna) _friendship_ Márya Dmítrievna shows kindness and maternal warmth toward Hadji Murád, and he respects her as a trusted confidante. ### [Khan Mahomá](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters/khan_mahoma) _family_ Khan Mahomá is Hadji Murád's loyal brother-in-arms and close relative, sharing a bond of blood and mutual protection. ### [Butler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters/butler) _friendship_ Butler, a Russian officer, develops a respectful and curious friendship with Hadji Murád, fascinated by his character. ### [Eldár](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters/eldar) _professional_ Eldár serves as Hadji Murád's loyal and devoted attendant, following him faithfully through danger. ### [Sado](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters/sado) _friendship_ Sado is a loyal friend and host to Hadji Murád, sheltering him during his flight from Shamil. ### [Bata](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters/bata) _professional_ Bata is a loyal follower and messenger for Hadji Murád, carrying out his orders with dedication. ### [Yusúf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters/yusuf) _family_ Yusúf is Hadji Murád's young son, and their relationship is one of deep paternal love and concern for his safety. ### [Major Petróv](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters/major_petrov) _professional_ Major Petróv is a Russian officer who interacts with Hadji Murád in a formal, military capacity, with guarded respect. ### [Nazárov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters/nazarov) _professional_ Nazárov is a Russian interpreter and aide assigned to Hadji Murád, facilitating communication with the Russian command. ### [Khan Mahomá](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters/khan_mahoma) _family_ Khan Mahomá is Hadji Murád's loyal brother-in-arms and close relative, sharing a bond of blood and mutual protection. ## In the story ### [Hadji Murád](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/hadji-mur-d) The central figure, a respected Avar leader who has defected from Shamil and seeks safety among the Russians. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/i) Arrives as a fugitive at Sado's aoul, gives instructions to Bata and Sado, and shows caution and authority. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/iv) Flees Sado's aoul after being warned of betrayal; dreams of capturing Shamil and ruling Chechnya with Russian help. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/v) Surrenders to Prince Vorontsóv, declaring his wish to serve the Russian Tsar; described with a childlike kindly smile and penetrating eyes. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/vi) Presents his dagger to Búlka, but remains deeply suspicious of the Russians, fearing betrayal or imprisonment. ### [Hadji Murád's Surrender and First Days Among the Russians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/x) Formally surrenders to Vorontsóv, expresses desire to serve the Tsar and destroy Shamil, but silently distrusts the Russians; attends the opera and ball with stoic indifference; presses for help to free his family. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xi) Narrates his life story to Lóris-Mélikov, recounting his childhood, his mother's sacrifice, and the murder of the Khans by Hamzád and Shamil. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xii) Prays after showing Vorontsóv's repeater watch; his murids discuss loyalty to Shamil. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xiii) Narrates his past, including the killing of Hamzád, his escape from Akhmet Khan, and his current predicament with his family held by Shamil. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xiv) Described as anxious about his family, praying constantly, and pleading for help to ransom them; he expresses willingness to serve Russia if his family is saved. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xv) His surrender is discussed by Nicholas and his court as a sign of the impending end of the Caucasus war. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xvii) The aoul destroyed is the one where he spent the night before defecting to the Russians. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xviii) Arrives at the fort, meets Butler and Petróv, and is lodged in the guest-chamber. He shows contempt for the Major but is attracted to Márya Dmítrievna and befriends Butler. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xix) His family is held captive by Shamil; his son Yusúf is used as leverage. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xx) Departs after a week at the fort, narrowly survives an assassination attempt by Arslán Khan, and exchanges gifts with Márya Dmítrievna and the Major. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xxii) Frustrated and desperate, he moves to Nukhá to negotiate his family's release, treats the Russian official with contempt, and spends the night agonizing over his impossible situation. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xxiii) Decides to flee to the mountains and rescue his family; prepares his weapons and gives gold to Eldár; reflects on his mother and son. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xxiv) Hadji Murád is dead; his severed head is brought to the fort by Kámenev. Butler recognizes it with horror. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/xxv) Wounded twice in the final battle, he makes a last charge with a dagger and is killed; his head is severed by Hadji Aga. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced in the correction of a biographical error about Tolstoy meeting him in 1871. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters/hadji_murad - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadji_mur_d_se/characters