Global history is enriched with different traveling groups of people that preserved their uniqueness out of time. Although it enriches the worls culturally and makes it ecogically more sustainable, since the emergence of sedentary civilization and structural society, the existence of nomadic groups has become a problem for many states. Among them was the Russian Empire. The 18th-19th centuries were the heyday of the state, Russian Empire put much effort to establish a cohesive, well-regulated, and economically productive state. The presence of nomadism was seen as a challenge to tax collection, laws abidence, integration of diverse populations, and economic development. Moving from one place to another, people were left aside from education, health treatment and other privileges of settled life. 

By the beginning of Nicholas I governance (1825-1855), a repressive policy against nomadism began. Directly related to the militarization of ethnic groups, it was preceded by a complex of reasons. One of the main factors was public rejection of the privileges provided to Roma. Society was not happy with the fact that one group of people lived a freer life. People didn’t see their benefit from it. 

Thus, complaints were received against Roma to government institutions. Moreover, Nicholas I's reign was characterized by a strict adherence to autocratic rule and a desire for a disciplined, obedient society. The state sought to improve governance, enhance control over the nomadic groups, and encourage integration into mainstream Russian society. The notion of a settled lifestyle was viewed as more conducive to state control and integration.

Nicholas I outlined an extensive plan of action. He ordered a collection of all Roma living in the Russian Empire and a forced distribution of one or more families to each settlement, depending on capabilities. The emperor ordered that the issuance of identification documents, without which it was impossible to travel further than 30 versts (~32 km), can be allowed after Roma had completely taken root in the village and to no more than one person from the family.

In 1832-1834 legislative acts appeared on the basis of which new orders came out. The police was detaining nomadic people and wonderers to be recruited or sent to cantonist schools (low-level military educational institutions). In 1832, one of the first Senate Decrees was issued, in which a large part was devoted to actions against juvenile wonderers (under 17 years of age). They had to be sent to canton battalions and half-battalions, the minimum age limit of whom was 8 years old. The first legal instructions were sent to the Don and Bessarabian administrations, which later spread throughout the country. This measure applied to both single young wonderers and those who were with their families.

In 1834, a new repressive order was issued in the Belarusian-Lithuanian provinces. Urban and rural societies, local landowners were required to notify the police of anyone who was illegally assigned to the estates or was in their area of ​​responsibility without identification documents. Those who were on this list were ordered to be transferred to the jurisdiction of the military authorities. Healthy Roma were sent to military service; the rest were sent to military prison companies. Women and children were transferred to factories and military settlements.

Thus, in the 1830s, numerous «correctional companies» were created, which were staffed by nomadic and homeless people. According to the personal decree of Nicholas I, the first three companies were formed from the Roma of the Tauride province (administrative region that included the territory of the Crimean Peninsula and the mainland between the lower Dnieper River with the coasts of the Black Sea and Sea of Azov). In a short time, about 300 Roma were assigned to the military correctional service.

In 1840, the governor of Vyborg (north-eastern part of the Empire) presented to Nicholas I a traditional report on the life of the province and its population. In particular, attention was paid to the Roma children, who were more than once seen on the streets alone. As a result, it was decided to send Ingrian Roma from 8 to 17 years of age to the St. Petersburg battalions of military cantonists. During 1842-1853 no less than 16 Roma were sent to St. Petersburg.

Without a doubt, sending children to St. Petersburg became a culture shock for them. The boys who arrived mostly did not speak Russian, were cut off from their families, their usual daily environment and their cultural vacuum; Roma newcomers befriended those who were in the same position. Their whole life was turned upside down and became very stressful. All this made the process of adaptation to new conditions very difficult.

However, this policy also had its advantages. Children co-opted into the military system were almost for the first time involved in the educational process. While undergoing military service, Academy was required to provide them primary education. Those who successfully passed the exams and practical tests were sent for further military service to the positions of sergeant majors and non-commissioned officers, all others were enlisted as soldiers with the subsequent opportunity to receive the rank of non-commissioned officer. 

At the end of the reign of Nicholas I, in January 1856, a final opinion was developed on the submission of Roma to the Russian Empire for conscription. Having consolidated many years of practice, the State Council formalized the opinion that Roma are an integral part of society, and therefore should bear recruiting duties on an equal basis with everyone else. The exceptions were those who were classified as a merchant guild and were completely exempt from recruitment duties in any form. The Roma of Tauride region had a special position, they were allowed to replace physical participation in conscription with money. The reason was that the Roma of Tauride were classified as state peasants, professed Islam and were co-opted into the Tatar communities, which gave them a special position.

The possibility to serve in the army opened the door for better life to a number of Roma. The fact that the people were recruited as others was speaking for itself that Roma are welcome.