prikazy

Prikazy is a plural form used in several Slavic languages, notably Russian, to refer to formal orders, decrees, or administrative offices. In the historical context of Muscovite and early Tsardom Russia, prikaz (singular) designated a state bureau or department responsible for a particular area of government, such as finance, foreign affairs, justice, or military administration. The prikazy were created during the late medieval consolidation of power under the Grand Duchy of Moscow and continued to function as the main executive bodies through the 16th and 17th centuries, operating under the tsar and the Boyar Duma. Their organization varied over time, and some prikazy gained influence while others remained relatively minor.

During the reforms of Peter the Great in the early 18th century, the system of prikazy was gradually replaced by a new structure of central ministries and colleges (kollegii), as part of a broader modernization of the Russian state. The term prikaz eventually faded from official use, though the legacy of the prikazy shaped later administrative traditions.

In modern usage, prikaz (singular) remains a common noun in Russian meaning "order," "instruction," or "directive," and is widely used in official and everyday language. In other Slavic languages, cognates such as Czech příkaz and Ukrainian prikaz also denote orders or decrees, reflecting a shared historical vocabulary for commands within governance and administration.