The Tatar Khanate of Crimea: Genghisid Giray Dynasty

[Behiç Giray]

Genghis Khan was the founder of the greatest empire of all times. And his grandsons were also rulers of great empires(also: Crimean Khanate).
Crimean Khanate was founded in 1438 by Hadji Giray(Hacı Giray). He was a Golden Horde prince and a grandson of Genghis Khan. He wanted to found a great empire like Empire of Genghis or Golden Horde. In the time of Mengli Giray, a time of trouble, Ottoman Empire attacked to Genoese Forts in South Crimea. And, Mengli Giray entered Ottoman protection. After that time, Tatar army of Crimea joined great wars of Ottoman Empire.
Khanate of Crimea was one of the strongest forces of Eastern Europe. Tatar horsemen were the fastest and strongest units in 16th century in Eastern Europe. Crimean Tatar army of Giray Dynasty burned Moscow in 1571.
And, Crimean Tatar(Turkish) culture was really colorful and wonderful.
Giray dynasty showed one of the greatest royal cultures.
But when the Crimean Khanate was encroached by Imperial Russian Army in 1783, Shahin Giray was the Crimean Khan.
I want to tell something about him. He was born in Edirne, a city of Turkey. When he was born, his father had been dead. He studied in Salonica, Venice and Rome. He could speak Latin, Italian, Greece, Ottoman Turkish and Crimean Tatar. He was invited to Crimea by his uncle when he was 20. And he worked there as a commander. One day, Russian Army attacked to Crimea and burned lots of buildings in Bakhcisaray,capital city.Shahin Giray visited to St. Petersburg as an ambassador. Catherine II wrote about him:
"He is the most gentle Tatar, I have ever seen. He wants to see and learn everything. He likes writing poets."
When his uncle died, he became the khan of Crimea. And he wanted to do some reforms. But his people didn't want it. And they revolted. After that, he had to leave Crimea. He left and went to Imperial Russia. He accepted Catherine's offer to make Crimea Russian land and to be Iranian King.
Today, Shahin Giray's grandsons and granddaughters live in Turkey, cities: Bursa and Istanbul.
I'm one of them. I will post here some photos of my royal family.
Greetings from Bursa

[Behiç Giray]

Prince Behiç Giray of Crimea

Prince Behiç Giray of Crimea

[Lilla]

What a wonderfull tale. You have brought one of the old and great nations back to live. I have alwayes wondered what became of the decendants of the once so mighty Tatar kingdom. And here they are.

Thanks

[Warren]

An extensive history of the Tatar Khanate of Crimea can be found here:
The Tatar Khanate of Crimea - All Empires
.

[Vanesa]

Many thanks to post these! And you too, Warren, for the great link you provided.

I was always interested in Khanats from Central Asia, and it's interesting to know that descents of Khan of Crimea are now in Turkey.

Vanesa.

[Behiç Giray]

I saw this forum yesterday. I looked for information about my dynasty, but I couldn't find. So, I though that I had to write something. I wrote.
It's no problem for me.
I think, people should not to forget Tatars and their dynasty.

[Warren]

Thank you for starting this thread Behiç. It demonstrates that there are still many fascinating areas to be explored for those interested in the lesser-known monarchies of Asia.

One book I would recommend for anyone interested in this part of the world and the Islamic states of Central Asia is "Sultans in Splendour - the Last Years of the Ottoman World" by Philip Mansel, 1988. The most interesting section, for me, was that on the 'Khans and Emirs' where he gives some insight into the Emir of Bokhara (also a descendant of Genghis Khan) and the Khan of Khiva. The book is lavishly illustrated and gives a vivid impression of what is now a very distant world.

Here is an image of the book's cover.

[Behiç Giray]

[Vecchiolarry]

Dear Behic Giray,

Thank you for posting here and educating us on an interesting topic.

And, thank you for your chart showing us your lineage from the Khan of Crimea.
I am glad you are entitled to a princely title?

I have a physical fitness trainer who is Mongolian. He doesn't know anything about his heritage and so I took him to the movie "The Mongols", which is all about Genghis Khan as a boy. Very interesting.
You should see it!!

Larry

[Vanesa]

And me too! I must see this movie. May you send me some more info about it? Who are the actors starring in it?

And thanks for the genealogical tree Behiç Giray!

Vanesa.

[Warren]

Mongol, the film: Official website
Wiki

[Behiç Giray]

I know this movie. But, I haven't watched it yet.
My friends said that it was really good movie.

[richardsw]

hey, everyone can someone please tell me who the head of the house would be and what was the succession rules of this dynasty? Thanks

[Behiç Giray]

umm..
There is no head of the house.
Because, our house was disbanded. And now we want to unite it again.
According to the succession rules: everyone,man, can be the head of this dynasty.
But, especially the eldest one.

[richardsw]

Thanks, any ideas about some sources saying a man from London from your family being head "My family is headed by Prince Jezzar Giray, who lives in London" from one source

[Behiç Giray]

According to his pretences, he is the head of Giray dynasty.
But, I don't recognize him.
I don't think that he can help our Tatar people from U.K!
The head of our dynasty must live near Crimea.

[Behiç Giray]

Crimean Khans and Head of our dynasty are choosen by a kurultay(Crimean Tatar national assembly).
There is no kurultay so there is no head of our dynasty.

[Behiç Giray]

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/2083/tatarsf8.jpg
Crimean Tatar girl from Ankara,Turkey

http://www.ankaramagazine.com/upload...B1r%C4%B1m.jpg
Crimean Tatar Folk Dance

http://www.turkgundem.net/icerik/ima..._kirimoglu.jpg
Crimean Tatar National Assembly - Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine

http://www.ortaasyahaber.kg/image/ki...r_protesto.jpg
Crimean Tatars at protest to Russian ultranationalist attacks to national assembly



Meñli Giray Khan - second Khan of Crimea

[Despodov]

But I don't understand who is the head of the family. I mean if Crimea was still a kingdom, who would be its ruler?
Who is the eldest son of the eldest son etc.

But it's really interesting. How did you understand all this? Are you Muslim and did the Khans of Crimea were Muslims, too?

[Behiç Giray]

umm.. Well.
I said that there was no head of our family.
If Crimea was still a khanate, a Genghisid Giray who was selected by national assembly would be its ruler.
The age isn't important.
Me and my family are Muslim. But I don't know that all Girays are Muslim or not.
Khans of Crimea were Muslims, right.