Khanate of Kazan

2025-09-30T14:35:17Z

212.55.50.10: Both of the subjects of these series are covered very minimally in this article and completely break how the page is viewed to have them included

{{Short description|1438–1552 Tatar Turkic state}}
{{more footnotes|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox country
| native_name = قزان خانلغی‎ ([[Old Tatar language|Old Tatar]])
| conventional_long_name = Khanate of Kazan
| common_name = Kazan
| status = [[Khanate]]
| year_start = 1438
| year_end = 1552
| event_start = Elevation of Ulugh Muhammad
| date_start =
| event_end = [[Siege of Kazan|Conquest of Kazan]] by Ivan IV
| event1 =
| date_event1 =
| event2 =
| date_event2 =
| date_end =
| p1 = Golden Horde
| s1 = Tsardom of Russia
| image_flag = Banner of Kazan.svg
| flag_type = Battle standard
| flag_border = no
| image_map = Map of the Khanate of Kazan.png
| image_map_caption = The Khanate of Kazan, {{circa|1500}}–1550.
| capital = [[Kazan]]
| official_languages = [[Chagatai language]] (literature, lingua franca, court)<br/>[[Old Tatar language]] (dynastic, literature)
| religion = [[Islam]], [[Shamanism]]
| common_languages = {{ubl|[[Turkic language|Turkic]] ([[Tatar language|Tatar]]|[[Chuvash language|Chuvash]])|[[Mari language|Mari]]}}
| title_leader = [[List of Kazan khans|Kazan Khan]]
| leader1 = [[Ulugh Muhammad]] (first)
| leader2 = [[Yadegar Moxammat]] (last)
| year_leader1 = 1438–1445
| year_leader2 = March-October 1552
| today = [[Russia]]
}}
{{History_of Russia}}

The '''Khanate of Kazan'''{{efn|[[Old Tatar language|Old Tatar]]: قزان خانلغی‎; {{langx|tt|Казан ханлыгы|Qazan xanlığı}}; {{langx|ru|Казанское ханство|Kazánskoye khánstvo}}}} was a [[Tatars|Tatar]] state that occupied the territory of the former [[Volga Bulgaria]] between 1438 and 1552. The khanate covered contemporary [[Tatarstan]], [[Mari El]], [[Chuvashia Republic|Chuvashia]], [[Mordovia]], and parts of [[Udmurtia]] and [[Bashkortostan]]; its capital was the city of [[Kazan]]. It was one of the successor states of the [[Golden Horde]]
(Mongol state), and it came to an end when it was [[Russo-Kazan wars|conquered]] by the [[Tsardom of Russia]].

==Geography and population==
The territory of the Khanate comprised the [[Volga Bulgaria|Muslim Bulgar]]-populated lands of the [[Bolğar Duchy|Bolğar]], [[Cükätaw Duchy|Cükätäw]], [[Kazan Duchy|Kazan]], and [[Qaşan Duchy|Qaşan]] duchies and other regions that originally belonged to [[Volga Bulgaria]]. The [[Volga]], [[Kama (river)|Kama]] and [[Vyatka River|Vyatka]] were the main rivers of the khanate, as well as the major trade ways. The majority of the population were [[Kazan Tatars]]. Their self-identity was not restricted to Tatars; many identified themselves simply as Muslims or as "the people of Kazan". [[Islam]] was the state religion.

The local feudal nobility consisted of ethnic Bulgars, but the court and bodyguard of the Kazan khans were composed of steppe Tatar ([[Kipchaks]], and later of [[Nogais]]) that lived in Kazan. According to the [[Genghis Khan|Ginghizide]] tradition, the local Turkic tribes were also called ''[[Tatars]]'' by the steppe nobility and, later, by the Russian elite. Part of the higher nobility hailed from the [[Golden Horde]]. It included members of four leading noble families: Arghin, Barin, Qipchaq, and Shirin.

Peoples subject to the khan included the [[Chuvash people|Chuvash]], [[Mari people|Mari]], [[Mordvins]], [[Mishar Tatars]], [[Udmurt people|Udmurt]], and [[Bashkirs|Bashkir]]. Some of the [[Komi peoples|Komi]] tribes were also incorporated into the Khanate. The Mishars had arrived during the period of the Golden Horde and gradually assimilated the resident Mordvins and [[Burtas]]. Their territory was governed by former steppe Tatars. [[Mukhsha Ulus|Some Mishar duchies]] were never controlled from Kazan and instead gravitated towards the [[Qasim Khanate]] or [[Muscovite Russia]].

Most of the khanate territory was covered by forests, and only the southern part adjoined the [[steppe]]. The main population of the steppes were the nomadic Manghites, also known as Nogais, who sometimes recognized the rule of the Kazan khan, but more often raided agricultural Tatars and Chuvash, as they had done in the Golden Horde period. Later, Nogais were transplanted and replaced with [[Kalmyks]]. More recently, this area was settled by Tatars, Chuvash and Russians, who erected defensive walls to guard the southern border. Since the khanate was established, Tatar Cossack troops defended the khanate from the Nogais.

Russian sources indicate that at least five languages were used in the Kazan khanate. The first and foremost was the [[Tatar language]], including the Middle dialect of the Kazan Tatars and the Western dialect of the Mishars. Its written form ([[Old Tatar language]]) was the favoured language of the state. The [[Chuvash language]] was a descendant of the [[Bolgar language]], spoken by the pagan [[Chuvash people]]. The Bolgar language also strongly influenced the Middle dialect of Tatar language. The other three were probably the [[Mari language]], the [[Mordvin language]]s and the [[Bashkir language]], likewise developed from the Bolgar and [[Kipchak language]]s.
==History==
The former territories of [[Volga Bulgaria]] (Kazan Ulus or Kazan Duchy) may have regained a degree of independence within the disintegrating Golden Horde by the turn of the 15th century. The principality was self-governed and maintained a dynasty of [[Bulgars|Bolgar]] rulers. Whatever the status of this proto-state, the founder of the khanate was [[Ulugh Muhammad]], who assumed the title of khan and usurped the throne of Kazan with some help from local nobility in 1437 or 1438. It has been suggested that the transfer of power from the local Bolgar dynasty to Muhammad was finalized by his son [[Maxmud of Kazan|Maxmud]] in 1445.

Throughout its history, the khanate was prone to civil turmoil and struggles for the throne. The khans were replaced 19 times in 115 years. There were a total of [[List of Kazan khans|fifteen reigning khans]], some ascending the throne multiple times. The Khan was often elected from the [[Descent from Genghis Khan|Gengizides]] by vernacular nobility and even by the citizens themselves.

Regarding the history of the khanate, there is a scarcity of sources. Not only no single document of the khanate survived the Russian conquest, but even the documents of early Russian colonial administration (Prikaz Kazanskogo Dvortsa) were all destroyed during the [[Time of Troubles]].<ref>{{Cite journal|jstor = 40866921|title = The Prikaz of the Kazan Court: First Russian Colonial Office|journal = Canadian Slavonic Papers|volume = 18|issue = 3|pages = 293–300|last1 = Rywkin|first1 = Michael|year = 1976| doi=10.1080/00085006.1976.11091457 }}</ref>
===Early history===
{{See also|Russo-Kazan Wars}}

During the reign of Ulugh Muhammad and his son Maxmud, Kazan forces raided [[Grand Duchy of Moscow|Muscovy]] and its subject lands several times. [[Vasily II of Moscow]] engaged in the [[Muscovite War of Succession]] against his cousins, was defeated in a battle near [[Suzdal]], and was forced to pay ransom to the Kazan khan.

In July 1487, Grand Duke [[Ivan III]] of Moscow occupied Kazan and seated a puppet leader, [[Möxämmädämin]], on the Kazan throne. After that, the Kazan Khanate became a protectorate of Moscow, and Russian merchants were allowed to trade freely throughout its territory. Supporters of a union between the [[Ottoman Empire]] and the [[Crimean Khanate]] tried to exploit the population's grievances to provoke revolts (in 1496, 1500, and 1505), but with negligible results.

In 1521, Kazan emerged from the dominance of Moscow, concluding a mutual aid treaty with the [[Astrakhan Khanate]], the [[Crimean Khanate]] and the [[Nogay Horde]]. The combined forces of khan Muhamed Giray and his Crimean allies then attacked Muscovy.

===The final decade===
[[File:Kazan Khanate map Tatar.svg|thumb|Map of the Khanate of Kazan, 1540s]]

The reinforcement of [[Crimea]] displeased the pro-Moscow elements of the Kazan Khanate, and some of these noblemen provoked a revolt in 1545. The result was the deposition of [[Safagäräy|Safa Giray]]. A Moscow supporter, [[Shahgali|Şahğäli]], occupied the throne. Following that year, Moscow organized [[Russo-Kazan Wars|several campaigns to impose control]] over Kazan, but the attempts were unsuccessful.

With the help of the [[Nogays]], Safa Giray returned to the throne. He executed 75 noblemen, and the rest of his opposition escaped to Russia. In 1549 he died, and his 3-year-old son [[Ütämeşgäräy]] was recognized as khan. His regent and the de facto ruler of the khanate was his mother [[Söyembikä]]. The administration of the ulan [[Qoşçaq]] gained a degree of independence under her rule.

At that time Safa Giray's relatives (including [[Devlet I Giray]]) were in [[Crimea]]. Their invitation to the throne of Kazan was vitiated by a large portion of vernacular nobility. Under Qoşçaq's government relations with Russia continued to worsen. A group of disgruntled noblemen at the beginning of 1551 invited a supporter of Tsar [[Ivan the Terrible]], [[Shahgali|Şahğäli]], for the second time.

At the same time the lands to the west of the [[Volga]] River ([[Taw yağı]]) were ceded to Russia. Ütämeşgäräy, along with his mother, was sent to a Moscow prison. Şahğäli occupied the Kazan throne until February 1552. Anti-Moscow elements in the Kazan government exiled Şahğäli and invited the [[Astrakhan Khanate|Astrakhan prince]] [[Yadegar Mokhammad]], along with the [[Nogays]], to aid them.

===Downfall===
{{Main|Siege of Kazan}}

In August 1552, forces of [[Ivan the Terrible]], operating from the Russian fortress-island of [[Sviyazhsk]], [[Siege of Kazan|laid siege to Kazan]]. The Russians defeated the Tatar inland troops and burnt [[Archa]] and some castles. On October 3, after two months of siege and destruction of the [[Kazan Kremlin|citadel walls]], the Russians entered the city. Some defenders managed to escape but most were put to the sword. [[Yadegar Moxammad]] was imprisoned and the population was slaughtered.

After the fall of Kazan, territories such as [[Udmurtia]] and [[Bashkortostan]] joined [[Russia]] without a conflict. The administration of the khanate was wiped out; pro-Moscow and neutral nobles kept their lands, but others were executed. Tatars were then resettled far away from rivers, roads and Kazan. Free lands were settled by Russians and sometimes by pro-Russian Tatars. Orthodox bishops such as [[Germogen]] forcibly baptized many Tatars.

===Resistance===
{{Main|Kazan War}}

Part of the population continued to resist Russian rule until 1556. Rebel governments were formed in [[Chalem]] and [[Mishatamaq]], but as the [[Nogays]] under [[Ğäli Äkräm]] often raided the agricultural population, the coalition went to ruin. After a brutal repression against the Kazan rebels, their commanders were executed.

By some estimates,<ref>{{TES|[[Kazan War]]}}</ref> the population of the former khanate declined by several thousand during the wars. The administration, known as the [[Kazan Palace's Office]] undertook the forced [[Russification]] and [[Christianization]] of the Tatars and other peoples.<ref>{{TES|Kazan Khanate}}</ref> The term ''Tsardom of Kazan'' was in use until 1708 when the [[Kazan Governorate]] was formed.

==Economics==
[[File:Zilant flag.gif|thumb|Whether the khanate had its own [[flag]] is still unclear. Nevertheless, the Dutchman Carlus (Carel) Allard noted that ''Caesar of Tataria'' used two flags, and [[Zilant]] was pictured on the first.]]

The Khanate's urban population produced clay ware, wood and metal handiworks, leather, armor, ploughs and jewels.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} The major cities included [[Kazan|Qazan]], [[Arça]], [[Cükätaw]], [[Qaşan]], Çallı, Alat and Cöri. The urban population also traded with the people of [[Central Asia]], the [[Caucasus]], and [[Russia]]. In the 16th century, Russia became the main trading partner of Kazan, and the khanate shared the economic system of Moscow.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} The major markets were the Taşayaq Bazaar in Kazan and the Markiz Isle fair on the Volga River. Agricultural landownership was based on the söyurğal and hereditary estates.

==Society==
The [[Khan (title)|khan]] governed the state. He based his actions on decisions and consultations of a cabinet council, or [[Divan|Diwan]]. The nobility comprised the ranks of ''bäk'' ([[baig|beg]]), ''ämir'' ([[emir]]), and ''[[morza]]''. Military estates consisted of the ''uğlan'', ''[[Baghatur|bahadir]]'', ''içki'' ([[ichki]]). Muslim clergy also played a major role. They were divided into ''säyet'' (seid), ''şäyex'' ([[sheikh]]), ''qazí'' ([[Qadi|qazi]]), and ''[[imams]]''. The ''[[ulema]]'', or clergy, played a judicial role and maintained the ''[[madrassa]]s'' (schools) and ''maktabs'' (libraries).

The majority of the population comprised ''qara xalıq'' (black people),<ref>The designation "black" in Turkic culture was often used to refer to commoners, and not intended as a racial designation; on this point see also [[Khazars]]</ref> a free Muslim population<ref>
{{cite book
| last1 = Fuller
| first1 = Graham E.
| author-link1 = Graham E. Fuller
| title = A World Without Islam
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pJlvPurAXmIC
| publisher = Little, Brown
| publication-date = 2010
| isbn = 9780316072014
| access-date = 2015-10-04
| quote = It was actually the Orthodox Church militant that first stimulated [...] Russian campaigns of conquest to the East, advocating the spread of Christianity into the well-established Muslim Kazan Khanate. Immediately after the conquest the church established a strong institutional presence in the Tatar regions and planned for the forced conversion of its Muslim population to Orthodox Christianity. [...] Despite its establishment of churches, monasteries, and religious institutions in the newly conquered regions, the church was to be frustrated in its goal of imposing Christianity on Muslim turf.
| date = 2010-08-11
}}
</ref>
who lived on state land. The feudal lands were mostly settled by ''çura'' (serfs). Prisoners of war were usually sold{{by whom|date=October 2015}} to [[Turkey]] or into [[Central Asia]]. Occasionally they were sold within the Khanate as slaves (''qol'') and sometimes were settled on feudal lands to become ''çura'' later. The Muslim and non-Muslim population of the Khanate had to pay the [[yasaq]].

==Administration and military==
[[File:Kazan Khanate military.jpg|thumb|Tatar soldiers]]

The Khanate was divided into 5 [[daruğa]]: Alat, Arça, Gäreç, Cöri and Nuğay. The term daruğa translates as "direction". They replaced the "duchies" that the khanate originated from. Some feudal lords sporadically asserted independence from Kazan, but such attempts would be promptly suppressed.

The military of the khanate consisted of armament and men from the darughas and subject lands, khan guards, and the troops of the nobility. The number of soldiers was never constant, ranging from 20,000 to 60,000 in number. Often, troops from [[Nogai Horde|Nogay]], the [[Crimean Khanate|Crimea]] and [[Russia]] also served the Kazan khans. Firearms (arquebuse) were used for defending the walls of Kazan.

==Culture==

In general, the culture of the Kazan Khanate descended from that of [[Volga Bulgaria]]. Cultural elements of the [[Golden Horde]] were also present in noble circles.

A large part of the urban population was literate. Large libraries were present in [[mosque]]s and [[madrassah]]s. [[Kazan]] became a center of science and theology.

Although Islamic influence predominated, lay literature also developed. The most prominent [[Old Tatar language]] poets were [[:tt:Möxämmädyar|Möxämmädyar]], [[Ömmi Kamal]], [[Möxämmädämin]], [[Ğärifbäk]], and [[Qolşärif]]. Möxämmädyar renovated the traditions of Kazan poetry, and his verses were very popular.

The city of [[Bolghar]] retained its position as a sacred place, but had this function only, due to the emergence of Kazan as a major economic and political center in the 1430s.

The architecture of the khanate is characterized by white-stone architecture and wood carvings.

==See also==
* [[List of Kazan khans]]
* [[Islam in Tatarstan]]
* [[Morza|Tatar nobility]]
* [[Bulgarian epigraphic monuments]]
* [[Ar begs]]
* [[List of Sunni Muslim dynasties]]
* [[Qasim Khanate]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{TES|Qazan Xanlığı (Khanate of Kazan)}}
*Viacheslav Shpakovsky, David Nicolle, Gerry Embleton, ''Armies of the Volga Bulgars & Khanate of Kazan, 9th–16th centuries'', Osprey Men-at-Arms 491 (2013).
* Azade-Ayshe Rorlich, [http://members.tripod.com/~Groznijat/fadlan/rorlich1.html Origins of Volga Tatars] in: ''The Volga Tatars, a Profile in National Resilience'' (1986).
* Muhammad Murad Ramzi (محمد مراد الرمزي) (1908), [https://ar.wikisource.org/wiki/%D9%85%D9%84%D9%81:%D9%85%D9%84%D9%88%D9%83_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B12.pdf Talfīq al-akhbār wa-talfīḥ al-āthār fī waqāʼiʻ Qazān wa-Bulghār wa-mulūk al-Tātār (تلفيق الاخبار وتلقيح الآثار في وقائع قزان وبلغار وملوك التتار)], First edition (الطبعة الاولي) Volume 1 (المجلد الاول) Printed at the Al-Karīmiyyah and Al-Ḥussayniyyah printing shop in the town of "Orenburg" upon committed expenses (طبع بالمطبعة الكريمية والحسينية ببلدة "اورنبورغ" على مصاريف ملتزمه).

{{Coord|55|47|N|49|09|E|region:RU_source:kolossus-dawiki|display=title}}

{{Turkic topics}}
{{State successors of Golden Horde}}
{{Turco-Mongol}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kazan, Khanate Of}}
[[Category:Khanate of Kazan| ]]
[[Category:Vassal states of the Ottoman Empire]]
[[Category:Former Islamic monarchies in Europe]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1552]]
[[Category:Khanates]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1438]]
[[Category:1438 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:1552 disestablishments in Europe]]

Vero - Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

Khanate of Kazan