- Kasimov
Kasimov ( _ru. Касимов; _tt. Касыйм, _tt. "Qasím" [in local dialect is pronounced as ka-CHEEM (Качим)] , historically: Xankirmän [Ханкирмән, Хан-Кермень, means "Khan's
fortress "] , Gorodets Meschorsky, Novy Nizovoy) is a town inRyazan Oblast ,Russia , the administrative center ofKasimovsky District . The town is situated on the left bank of theOka River . Population: 35,816 (2002 Census); 37,521 (1989 Census); 17,000 (1910); of which about 2000 speak Tatar language.History
The first population of this area was a Finnic tribe called the
Meshchyora , later assimilated byRussians andTatars . The town was founded in 1152 by theVladimir-Suzdal rulerYury Dolgoruky as Grodets, then Gorodets Meschyorsky ( _ru. Городец Мещёрский). It was included in theMishar Yort division of theGolden Horde , but then was sold toMuscovy .In 1376, the town was destroyed by the Mongol invaders, but was soon bebuilt as "Novy Nizovoy" ("New Low-lying", _ru. Новый Низовой) town. After the
Battle of Suzdal in 1445 (in which Great Duke Vasili II was taken prisoner), the Meschiora lands were given toOlug Moxammat , khan ofKazan Khanate as a ransom for the sovereign's life.In 1452, Great Duke Vasili II of
Muscovy gave this town to Kazan princeQasim khan , who served as "tribute inspector" of theGreat Horde , but then came to Russian service. By other accounts, Qasim and his brother Yosif fled from Kazan after losing their bid for the throne against their brother Mäxmüd. After 1471, the town was known as "Qasím city". It remained the capital ofQasim Khanate until 1681 when the khanate was reabsorbed into Russia.A group of Tatars settled there in 15th century and are now known as Qasim
Tatars . They speak the Mishar dialect, mixed with the Middle Tatar dialect of theTatar language .Layout and landmarks
In the 17th century, the town was separated into three parts:
*Old Town (Russian: Старый Посад; Tatar: "İske Bistä") and Tatar Town (Russian: Татарская слобода; Tatar: "Tatar Bistäse") regulated by khan of Qasim Khanate and Tatar noblemen;
*"Yamskoy Town" (Russian: Ямская слобода) of Russian commoners, regulated byMoscow ;
*"Marfin Town" (Russian: Марфина слобода, Tatar: "Marfin Bistäse") – part of the city, regulated by Kasimovvoyevoda s – Russian governors.Historical buildings:
*Stone mosque (1467)
*Mausoleum ofShahgali (Şahğäli) Khan (1555)
*Mausoleum ofAfghan Moxammad (Äfğan Möxämmäd) Khan (1658)
*Russian Orthodox churches:
**Church of the Epiphany ( _ru. Богоявленская церковь) 17th century;
**St. Nicholas Church ( _ru. Никольская церковь) 17th century;
**Trinity Church ( _ru. Троицкая церковь) 17th century;
**Cathedral of the Ascension ( _ru. Вознесенский собор) 19th century.Notes
External links
* [http://www.kasimov.ru/ Official website of the town] ru icon
References
*TES-in|Kasimov
*"This article incorporates text from the Brockhaus-Efron Encyclopedia"
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