The name of Ingush originates from a big settlement called Angusht, Georgian geographer Vakhushti Bagrationi wrote in his studies. In March of 1770 the Angusht residents signed a document making their settlement a part of the Russian Empire.

In 1784 a fortress of Vladikavkaz was founded not far from another Ingush village Zaur-Kov. In 1810 a fortress of Nazran was established on the territory of modern city of Nazran.

In 1840-1860s the Russian authorities dispossessed the Ingushs from the settlements standing on the rivers Fortanga, Assa, Sunzha and Kambileevka – these lands were later given to the Cossacks.

In 1860s the Military rule in the Caucasus was lifted and two regions - Kuban and Terskaya – were formed. The Ingush lands were a part of the Terskaya Region.

In November 1917 the Gorskaya Republic was inaugurated, but on March 3, 1918 the Terskaya Soviet Republic was formed.

During the revolution of 1917 the Ingushes were on the Bolsheviks' side and didn't let Denikin, a white army general, move forward.

After a range of reorganizations, in 1934, Ingushetia and Chechnya were united into the Chechen-Ingush autonomous area without considering the people's opinion.

In the days of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 the Ingushs defended their motherland from the Fascist troops, but in 1944 they along with the Chechens were deported to Kazakhstan and the Middle Asia. Up to 30% of the Ingush people died in exile.

In 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed, Chechnya separated from Ingushetia to form the Chechen Republic led by their own president. Thus, in December 1991, after the all-people's referendum, the Ingush people confirmed the want to join the newly-formed Russian Federation as the Republic of Ingushetia.