Shahghali of Kazan

Shahghali ( [IPA|ʃæh gæˈli] , "Shah Ghaly", "Shah Ali", Tatar: "Şahğäli", [IPA|ʃæɣæˈli] or "Şäyex Ğäli", [IPA|ʃæˈjex ɣæˈli] ) (1505-1567) was khan of Qasim in 1516-1519, 1535-1546, 1546-1551, 1552-1567 and Kazan in 1518-1521, 1546, 1551-1552.

Shahgali was the grandson of Keche Moxammad khan, son of Shayex Allahiar (Şäyex Allahiär) khan, and older brother of Cangali. After father's death, he became khan of Qasim Khanate in 1516 at the age of 11. In 1519 he was invited to Kazan throne by Bulat Shirin's (Bulat Şirin) group of Qarachi. This transfer was supported by Vasili III of Russia, because Qasim khans were usually allied with Muscovy. In 1521, he was banished from Kazan by noblemen for his pro-Muscovy policies. He was replaced with Safagäräy who was generally hostile towards Muscovy, and had ties with Crimean Khanate and Ottoman Empire. In later years, Shahgali gained and lost the throne of Kazan several time, as Muscovy and Kazan Qarachi struggled for control of Khanate. In the periods when Kazan throne was occupied by other people, he returned to Qasim.

Shahgali participated in Russian sieges of Kazan in 1537, 1540, 1541, 1548, 1552. In 1559 he participated in Livonian War as commander of Russian avant-garde, sieged Narva and Pärnu. In 1562 he defended Polock, in 1564-1565 defended Velikie Luki on Russian border. The name of Shahgali became synonymous among Tatars with betrayal, treachery and treason.

See also

*List of Kazan khans