Qasim Khanate

Qasim Khanate or Kingdom of Qasim (Tatar: "Qasím xanlığı/Касыйм ханлыгы", "Qasím patşalığı/Касыйм патшалыгы"; Russian: "Касимовское ханство", "Касимовское царство") was a Tatar territorial formation (khanate), vassal of Russia, which existed from 1452 till 1681 in the territory of modern Ryazan Oblast in Russia with its capital Kasimov, in the middle stream of the Oka River. It was created in the lands that Vasili II presented to the Kazan prince Qasim khan, son of the first Kazan khan Olug Moxammat.

Pre-history

The original populations were Finnic tribes Meshchyora and Muroma, Mordvins. The land was under Kievan Rus' and Volga Bulgaria's influence. Local tribes were tributes of Russian dukes. Later, the area was incorporated into Vladimir-Suzdal. In 1152, duke of Vladimir Yuri Dolgoruky founded Gorodets-Meshchyorskiy. After the Mongol conquest, the territory was incorporated into the territory of the Golden Horde. Turkic settlers appeared in those areas, and most of them accepted Islam under Volga Bulgaria's influence. The semi-independent principality Mishar Yurt was founded by Hordian Mohammad Shirin beg. From 1393, the area became a part of Russia. After the battle of Suzdal in 1445, Olug Moxammad claimed to return those lands to the Tatars.

According to some historians, such as Khudyakov, Vassily executed the claim and Moxammat's son Qasim was crowned as a ruler of Meshchyora lands. The area and capital were renamed after him. Another version is that Qasim came into Russian service and was granted those lands to create a buffer state between Grand Duchy of Moscow and the Khanate of Kazan. However, the Khanate was a vassal of Russia. From the beginning, Khans governed the Khanate's territory, but the inner politics were controlled by Russia.

Population

The land was settled by Mishar Tatars (the descendants of the earliest Turkic population), Russians, and Mordvins. The Meshchyora and Muroma tribes had been already assimilated. Some Kazan Tatars resettled to Qasim lands, and were called "Qasim Tatars". The most of Qasim Tatars served at the khan's palace or served in the khan's military. This group had been assimilated into the Mishar Tatars, but nearby 1,000 Qasim Tatars are still living in the city of Kasimov.

The noble families were the Manghyt (Manğıt), Arghyn (Arğın), Jalair (Cälair), Qipchaq (Qıpçaq). Moscow's administrators elected the khans from ruling families of the Tatar khanates: Khanate of Kazan, the Crimean Khanate, and the Siberia Khanate.

History

Qasim khans with their guard participated in all of Russians raids into Kazan (1467-1469, 1487, 1552). Qasim khan Şahğäli (1515-1567) was 3 times crowned as Kazan khan with the aid of Russia. After the conquest of Kazan, the self-government of the khans was abolished and the khanate came to be governed by Russian voyevodas. However, khans still reigned. One of the khans, Simeon Bekbulatovich, was baptised and proclaimed Grand Duke of Moscow in 1574. At the reign of Sayed Borhan khan (1627-1679) Russia started a policy of Christianization. Begs, who had a status equal to Boyars, were switched to Serving Tatars, equal to Dvoryans. This policy provoked a Tatar revolt in 1656. After the death of khanbika (queen) Fatima Soltan in 1681, the Khanate was abolished.

ource

*TES|Qasím Xanlığı/Касыйм ханлыгы
*en icon [http://www.ozturkler.com/data_english/0003/0003_07_01.htm Qasim Khanate on ÖzTürkler]

External links

* [http://www.hostkingdom.net/russia.html#Kasimov List of Qasim rulers]