Online Encyclopedia
Crimean Khanate
Crimean Khanate (Khanate of Crimea) was an independent Turkic state (khanate) founded in 1441 by Devlet Haci Ghiray Khan, a descendant of Genghis Khan.
In early 13th century Crimea was populated by Alans, Cumans, Slavs, Armenians, Greeks. The Tatar-Mongol conquest of Crimea began in 1223 with attack on Soldaia. By 1229 all steppe area of Crimea was conquered by Tatar-Mongols. The economy of invaders was nomadic. The local societies, based on agriculture were destroyed. By the end of 13th century Crimea became a preferred place of winter stay for Qarachi families. In the late 13th-early 14th century Crimea obtained a status of ulus (governance) within Golden Horde with capital in Solkhat (contemporary Stary Krym ). In 1394-95, Bas Timur , descendant of Jochi, minted coins with his name in the Crimea and claimed sovereignty. In 1433, after civil war, Devlet Haci Ghiray gained the position of a province governor. In 1437 he defeated an attempt by Genoa colonists to remove him from power.
In 1441, with help of Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Devlet Haci Ghiray declared independence of the province, as Crimean Khanate. The khanate included Crimean peninsula and lower Dniepr areas.
During the rule of the next khan Mengli Ghiray, in 1475 Crimen Khanate was invaded by Ottoman Empire under orders of Mehmed II. The invading forces under command of Gedik Ahmet Pasha , instigated by Mengli Ghiray, destroyed the Genoa colonies in Eupatoria , Cembalo, Soldaia, and Kaffa. The khanate became a vassal of the Ottoman Empire.
Sahib Giray I founded Bakhchisaray in 1532 and moved capital there. The Hansaray (Khan's Palace) was built in the same year.
Crimean khanate participated in numerous wars on the side of Ottoman Empire. In 16th-17th centuries, it led or participated in raids against Russia (Muscovy) and Poland, as well as territories of contemporary Ukraine.
In 16th century, troops of Crimean khanate multiple times besieged Moscow, Tula, and other Russian cities. The other Turkic khanates, such as Kazan Khanate and Siberian Khanate were incorporated into Russia in the 16th century. In 1571, Devlet Ghiray I took and then burned Moscow. Between 1600 and 1650, the khanate brought at least 200 thousand slaves to Crimea.
In the end of 17th century Russia fought a Russo-Turkish War, 1676-81 with Ottoman Empire. As a part of this war, a number of unsuccessful raids was made to Crimea. The Russo-Turkish Wars continued with Ottoman Empire gradually loosing lands, such as Castle of Azov.
After Russo-Turkish War, 1768-74, the Treaty of Kuchuk-Kainarji was signed which made Crimean Khanate independent from Ottoman Empire, and aligned it with Russian Empire. On 8 April 1783, in vilolation of the Treaty, the whole of the Crimea was annexed to the Russian Empire by Catherine II.
This article incorporates text from the "Great Soviet Encyclopedia"
See also
Links
- The Palace of the Crimean Khans http://www.hansaray.iatp.org.ua/
- Tatar.Net http://www.tatar.net/
- Annexation of the Crimean Khanate http://www.qurultay.org/linkshow.asp?AD=../links/eng/history/rus_period/3_1.html