Zaur or Zaurovo was an Ingush village that existed in the 18thâÂÂ19th centuries on the right bank of the Terek River and in the Tarskoye Valley.
According to most sources, the fortress Vladikavkaz was founded on its territory in 1784, while according to other sources, Vladikavkaz was built near Zaur.
The Ingush name of the village, Zovr-Kov, translates as "the yard/settlement of Zaur". According to Russian historian , the village was known by the Armenians as Zura (), by the Byzantines as Tzur (), by Arab writers as Suariag and Saul.
Based on the analysis of maps of the 19th century, historian and caucasologist concluded that the village was founded in the period of the 1730s to 1760s, the same time that Ingush migrations to the right bank of Terek River occurred.
Reportedly, the village was built by Zaur, a representative from either the branch of the Thargimkhoy clan (teip) or the Dolgiyev branch of the Thumkhoy clan.
The Russian authorities felt the need to establish reliable communication routes with the territory of Georgia. Hence why, in May 1784, 4 versts away from the village of Zaur, the was founded. At that time, there were 30 households in the village.
The Ingush, who had their villages often attacked by Kabardian and Kumyk well-armed and numerous squads, needed the help of the Vladikavkaz's Garrison troops. At the first call for help, the Ingush also appeared under the walls of the fortress. Getta, the foreman of Zaur, was among the Ingush as attested by the Vladikavkaz's commandant's reports and other documents. Getta owned the single Ingush tower of the village.
The village was an important center of the Ingush and served as one of the meeting places for the ( 'Country's court').
Johann Güldenstedt notes that Zaur is located opposite the low Ossetian mountains. Butkov mentions that Zaur is located approximately 6 km from Vladikavkaz.