In 1859 Imam Shamil, the leader of the anti-Russian resistance during the Caucasian War, was captured. After his capture he was sent to meet Emperor Alexander II who exiled him to Kaluga. It was in this late 18th century mansion once owned by the merchant Ivan Bilibin that Shamil served his exile in Kaluga. Shamil remained in the city until 1868 when he was permitted to move to Kiev where the climate was more to his liking.