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Aslanbech the Red-Mustached

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Qeytuqo Aslanbech
Aslanbech the Red-Mustached
Aslanbech the Red
Grand Prince of Kabardia
Reign1737 – 1746
PredecessorTatarkhan Bekmirza
SuccessorBatoqo Bekmirza
Bornc. 1657
Kabardia
Died1746 (1747)
Kabardia
IssueSons:[1][2]
Hamirza
Aslanuqo
Doletuqo
Dokhshuqo
Yelbezduqo
Daughters:[3]
One daughter (wife of Arslan Giray)
Names
Aslanbech, son of Qeytuqo
KabardianКъетыкъуэ Аслъэнбэч
House
  • Inalid dynasty
    • House of Qeytuqo link =
FatherQeytuqo Jambot
ReligionSunni Islam
Military career
NicknamesThe Red-Mustached
The Red
Conflicts

Aslanbech Qeytuqo (Kabardian: Къетыкъуэ Аслъэнбэч) also known as Aslanbech the Red-Mustached[4] (Kabardian: Аслъэнбэч ПащIагъуэ) and referred as the Red (Karachay-Balkar: Сары-Асланбек) in Balkar and Ossetian folklore,[5] was the Supreme Prince of Kabardia between 1737 and 1746. He was the eldest son of Prince Qeytuqo Jambot. His younger brothers were Qanamet and Jembulat.[6][7]

Biography

[edit]

In his youth, he was educated by Jabagh Qazanoqo.[8] Aslanbech's views and policy were influenced by his teacher.[9][10]

In 1711, the Russian Tsar Peter I The Great sent a letter to Kabardia, proposing for Kabardians to become a Russian subject just like the Kalmyk Khanate, knowing about the friendly relations between Kalmyks and Kabardians.[11] In the letter, the Tsar said;[11]

"And if you become our subjects, then not only will we not demand any taxes from you, but we will also determine the annual salary to give you, as our subject Ayuka Khan receives from us and as you were previously subjects of our ancestors and received a salary from them; and we will order you to assist him, Ayuka Khan, with the Kalmyks and the Don, Yaik and Greben Cossacks"

This offer was accepted and Kabardians, Russians, and Kalmyks formed an alliance. Aslanbech's advisor Jabagh Qazanoqo was opposed the idea of Circassians living under another country, and believed that the Tatars wished to eventually annex Circassia, so he suggested Russia as a possible defensive ally. In 1722, there were further diplomatic meetings with Russia, and Qazanoqo represented Aslanbech.[12]

Aslanbech believed that the struggles between princes, lords and khans must end and the unity of the tribes should be ensured in order to gather first Kabarda and then the whole Caucasus under a state roof. He gained the support of Jabagh Qazanoqo in this endeavor.[6][7] In pursuit of this, Aslanbech, with assistance from his allies, conducted several successful campaigns on Kabardia's neighbors, including Ossetians, Chechens, Balkars, Abazins, and other North Caucasian peoples to strengthen his presence in the region.[13] In August of 1720, he, along with princes like Tatarkhan Bekmirza and Batoqo Bekmirza, led a Campaign against the Chechen clans on lower Sunzha. Aslanbech ravaged the lands of Chechens until he had to retreat because of low supply caused by the Crimean raids on Kabarda.[14]

Civil war in Kabardia

[edit]
Main article: Kabardian Civil War (1720–1726)

As a successor state to the Golden Horde, the Crimean Khanate claimed sovereignty over the Circassia.[15][16] This political relationship was characterized primarily by the obligation of Circassian princes to pay tribute to the Crimean Khan, predominantly in the form of slaves. This tribute was demanded upon the ascension of a new Khan to the throne or levied as fines for crimes committed by Circassian subjects.[17][16] When Circassian leaders refused to deliver the required number of captives, the Crimean leadership launched punitive military expeditions to enforce payment. These raids were justified by labelling the Circassians as "infidels". This justification became complicated from the 16th century onward as the Circassians increasingly converted to Islam; however Crimean Khans often ignored these conversions and rejected negotiations with Circassian envoys who pleaded over their shared religion.[16]

Despite the presence of Islam, there was debate over whether the region is Dar al-Harb (the Abode of War), where slaves could be taken, or Dar al-Islam (the Abode of Islam), which would prevent enslavement.[18] Despite some legal rulings (kanunname) suggesting Sharia should apply to certain tribes (which would protect them), the Ottoman state supported the Crimean Khan in enslaving Circassians, treating the region effectively as a source of slaves regardless of religious affiliation. It was not possible to determine whether the Circassians entering the Ottoman market were from Dar al-Harb or not, as both allied Muslim Circassians and non-Muslim Circassians were raided by the Khanate.[19] The Circassians were described as "neither Christians nor Muslims" by a courtier of the Crimean Khan. Some Ottoman chroniclers mention that the Circassians fought against the Crimean Khanate because they could not stand the "Tatar tyranny and oppression" (Turkish: zülm ü cevre).[16] In some cases, the Circassians pleaded with the Ottoman sultan directly, arguing that they were fellow Muslims, thus it was therefore "against the sharia to turn them into slaves". The Sultan withdrew permission for the Khan's campaigns based on this argument, although the Khan proceeded regardless.[16]

In 1720, the Crimean-Circassian war of 1720-1726 started, complicated by the civil strife between the Anti-Crimean Kashkatau Party, which Aslanbech was a part of, and the Pro-Crimean Baksan Party.[20][21][22][23][24]

In 1720, Saadat II Giray invaded Kabarda with 40,000 troops, demanding allegiance to the Ottoman Empire and Crimean Khanate, 4,000 jasyrs, and restitution for past losses. Pro-Crimean princes capitulated, while Kashkatau party leaders fortified Cherek Fortress.[25] Despite the defection of the Misost's and Hatokhshoqo's to the Crimean side, Aslanbech Qeytuqo's leadership enabled the Kashkatau forces to successfully repel the onslaught through the end of the year.

By January 1721, Aslanbech Qeytuqo's forces defeated the Crimean Tatars and their Baksan allies at the Nalchik River.[26] In this battle, the Crimeans lost no fewer than 360 men killed. Russia sent Artemy Volynsky to mediate, temporarily restoring peace. On January 3, 1721, Peter I guaranteed assistance to Aslanbech's "Kashkatau people" in a letter, but this aid was never provided.

From 1722 to 1724, conflicts continued. The Bekmirza's and Qeytuqo's remained besieged in the Kashkatau area, defending themselves entirely with their own resources. Aslanbech Qeytuqo allied with Mengli II Giray, new Khan, against the Baksan faction, but local Kabardian resistance remained strong.[27] This alliance followed a period where Aslanbech received no answer to his military aid requests from Peter I, leading to a major strategic shift where the Kashkatau party and Bakhsan faction effectively swapped their international allegiances.

By 1725–1726, Baksan party leaders Islambek Misost [ru] and the Hatokhshoqo princes capitulated to Bakhte-Giray and Aslanbech Qeytuqo. Kabardia achieved a Kabardian victory over the Crimean Khanate and pro-Crimean Kabardians, Baksan party. With the surrender of the Hatokhshoqo princes to Aslanbech, the Kashkatau faction secured a final victory against the Russian-supported Bakhsan party.

Jabagh Qazanoqo personally led the election campaign for Aslanbech, resulting in his victory.[28] After Aslanbech became the prince, Qazanoqo was his closest advisor[29] and influenced Aslanbech's Pan-Caucasian views.[9][10] The first action of Prince Aslanbech was to introduce the principle that "only one state should exist between two seas" (the Black Sea and Caspian Sea)[30] Aslanbech advocated for unification with other regions of the Caucasus, but did not have enough time or opportunity to fully implement this principle.[31]

Aslanbech participated in the Russo-Turkish War of 1735-1739, fighting against the Crimeans. in 1739, together with the Kalmyks, he launched a counterattack against the Crimeans, and defeated them near the Laba river.[32]

His son Hamirza and grandson Ismail were killed in 1779 while fighting against the Russians during the Seven Months' War.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ БОЛЬШАЯ ОБЩАЯ СХЕМА ГЕНЕАЛОГИИ КАБАРДИНСКИХ КНЯЗЕЙ ОТ ИНАЛА (ВСЕ ВЕТВИ) ДО XVIIIВ. ВКЛЮЧИТЕЛЬНО [The General Genealogy Scheme of the Kabardian Princes from Inal (All Branches) up to and Including the 18th Century] (PDF) (in Russian). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-11-30.
  2. ^ a b Hasırcı, Metin. Büyük Osmanlı Tarihi (in Turkish). p. 1043.
  3. ^ БОЛЬШАЯ ОБЩАЯ СХЕМА ГЕНЕАЛОГИИ КАБАРДИНСКИХ КНЯЗЕЙ ОТ ИНАЛА (ВСЕ ВЕТВИ) ДО XVIIIВ. ВКЛЮЧИТЕЛЬНО [The General Genealogy Scheme of the Kabardian Princes from Inal (All Branches) up to and Including the 18th Century] (PDF) (in Russian). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-11-30.
  4. ^ Сокъур, Валерэ (1997). "Бэчмырзэ и къуэ Бэтокъуэ и Уэлиигъуэр 1746-1752 гъэхэм" [The Reign of Batoqo, son of Bechmirza, in the years 1746–1752]. Ӏуащхьэмахуэ (in Kabardian). 6.
  5. ^ "Княгиня Даум (горская песня)". karachai.ucoz.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  6. ^ a b Doğbay, Orhan. "Türkiye'de Çerkes diasporasının siyasi tarihi" üzerine notlar.
  7. ^ a b Мальбахов Б. К. "Кабарда на этапах политической истории (середина XVI — первая четверть XIX века), Москва, «Поматур», 2002 г. ISBN 5-86208-106-2
  8. ^ Berkok, İsmail Hakkı (1958). Tarihte Kafkasya. İstanbul Matbaası.
  9. ^ a b Berkok, İsmail Hakkı (1958). Tarihte Kafkasya. İstanbul Matbaası.
  10. ^ a b Bi, Mahmut (2005). Muhammed Emin Paşa Kişiliği ve Faaliyetleri (PDF) (in Turkish). Bursa.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  11. ^ a b "Kabarda and Russia in Relations with the Kalmyk Khanate: From Clashes to Cooperation". www.kbigi.ru. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  12. ^ Туган Хабасович Кумыков (1967-01-01). История Кабардино-Балкарской АССР с древнейших времен до наших дней. Наука.
  13. ^ Феномен политического отчуждения в исторических судьбах черкесского народа [The Phenomenon of Political Alienation in the Historical Fate of the Circassian People]. pp. 182–183.
  14. ^ "1720 г. августа в последних числах. Письмо кабардинских князей Арсланбека Кайтукина и других Петру I о походе их с донскими казаками на чеченцев, и о нападении на них крымского хана и разорении их, с просьбой прислать на помощь донских и терских казаков и калмыков, а также построить в их крае город" [August 1720, the last days of the month. Letter from the Kabardin princes Arslanbek Kaitukin and others to Peter I about their campaign with the Don Cossacks against the Chechens, and about the Crimean Khan's attack and destruction of their land, requesting the Don and Tersk Cossacks and Kalmyks to come to their assistance and to build a city in their land.]. Studfile (in Russian). Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  15. ^ Bilge, M. Sadık (2005). Osmanlı Devleti ve Kafkasya (in Turkish). İstanbul: Eren Yayınevi. ISBN 979-975-6372-15-8.
  16. ^ a b c d e Roşu, Felicia, ed. (2022). Slavery in the Black Sea Region, c.900-1900: forms of unfreedom at the intersection between Christianity and Islam. Studies in global slavery. Leiden; Boston: Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-47071-2.
  17. ^ Raşit Efendi; Özcan, Abdülkadir; Asım Efendi Küçükçelebizade (2013). Târih-i Râşid ve zeyli. Klasik kitaplar (Birinci basım ed.). Vefa, İstanbul: Klasik. ISBN 978-605-5245-17-7.
  18. ^ Karamürsel, Ceyda (2015). "In the Age of Freedom, In the Name of Justice": Slaves, Slaveholders, and the State in the Late Ottoman Empire and Early Turkish Republic, 1857-1933 (PhD thesis). University of Pennsylvania.
  19. ^ İnci, Abidin (2019-11-30). "16. Yüzyıl'da Osmanlı Devleti'nin Çerkesya ile İlişkileri ve Osmanlı-Çerkes Sınırı / The Relations between the Ottoman State and Circassia in the 16th Century and the Ottoman-Circassian Border". Kafkasya Çalışmaları (in Turkish). 5 (9): 1–16. doi:10.21488/jocas.639945. ISSN 2149-9527.
  20. ^ Fidarova, Rita Zelimkhanovna (2008). "Conflict of Princely Coalitions in Kabarda, 1720–1774" (PDF) (in Russian). Institute of Humanities Research, Government of Kabardino-Balkaria and Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. pp. 23–26. Retrieved 2025-09-06.[dead link]
  21. ^ Fidarova, Rita Zelimkhanovna (2007). "Conflict of Feudal Factions and Its Influence on the Decline of Kabarda's Independence (1720–1757)". Izvestiya VUZ. North Caucasus Region. Social Sciences. Special Issue (in Russian). ISSN 0321-3056. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  22. ^ Shumkin, A. V. (2019). Turks of the Central Caucasus in the 16th–18th Centuries (Problems of Ethnic History) (PDF) (in Russian). Chelyabinsk State Institute of Culture. pp. 93–94. ISBN 978-5-94839-705-4.
  23. ^ Naloeva, E. D. (2015). A. S. Mirzoev (ed.). Kabarda in the First Half of the 18th Century: Genesis of the Adyghe Feudal Society and Problems of Socio-Political History (PDF) (in Russian). Printing House OOO "Pechatny Dvor". pp. 54–59. ISBN 978-5-905770-52-4.
  24. ^ Bgazhnokov, Barasbi Kh. (2008). Kanjal Battle and Political History of Kabarda in the First Half of the 18th Century: Studies and Materials (PDF) (in Russian). M. & V. Kotlyarov Publishing. pp. 89–93. ISBN 978-5-93680-225-6.
  25. ^ Dzamikhov, K. F. (2008). Adygi: Milestones of History (PDF) (in Russian). Elbrus. pp. 215–216. ISBN 978-5-7680-2176-4.
  26. ^ A. Kh. Abazov; Yu. D. Anchabadze; A. V. Kushkhabiev; M. M. Pashtova, eds. (2022). Adygi: Adygs, Kabardians, Cherkess, Shapsugs (in Russian). Nauka. p. 62. ISBN 978-5-02-040924-8.
  27. ^ Kipkeeva, Z. B. (2017). Descendants of Genghis Khan in the History of the North Caucasus, 18th–19th Centuries (PDF) (in Russian). North-Caucasus Federal University Press. pp. 23–25. ISBN 978-5-9296-0891-9.
  28. ^ Berkok, İsmail Hakkı (1958). Tarihte Kafkasya. İstanbul Matbaası.
  29. ^ Jaimoukha, Amjad. A Brief History of Kabarda. p. 28. ...sensing the inferiority of his forces, decided to invoke ruse (upon the counsel of his principal statesman and strategist Zhebaghi Qezenoqwe)...
  30. ^ Berkok, İsmail Hakkı (1958). Tarihte Kafkasya. İstanbul Matbaası.
  31. ^ Bi, Mahmut (2005). Muhammed Emin Paşa Kişiliği ve Faaliyetleri (PDF) (in Turkish). Bursa.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  32. ^ Хотко, Самир (2008). Цивилизация Кабарды [Civilization Kabardy] (PDF) (in Russian). Санкт-Петербург: Издательство Санкт-Петербургского университета. p. 406. ISBN 978-5-288-04689-6.
  • Мальбахов Б. К. "Кабарда на этапах политической истории (середина XVI — первая четверть XIX века), Москва, «Поматур», 2002 г. ISBN 5-86208-106-2
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