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Zaporozhian–Crimean Trade and Economic Relations in the Eighteenth Century

Trade and economic relations between the population of the Liberties (Volnosti) of the Zaporozhian Host of the Lower [Dnipro] (the Hetmanate) and the Crimean Khanate in the eighteenth century, characterized by good-neighbourly etiquette, mutual respect, and the development of a profitable salt trade.

Overview

Historiography long upheld the stereotype of exclusively hostile and raiding relations between the Ukrainian Cossacks and the Crimean Khanate. However, eighteenth-century archival sources (in particular, the holdings of TsDIAK of Ukraine) attest to the dominance of economic pragmatism, peaceful cooperation, and strict observance of etiquette in the diplomatic correspondence between the Kish of the New Zaporozhian Sich (founded in 1734 on the Pidpilna River) and Bakhchysarai.

The key driver of these relations was the salt trade; salt precipitated in the Crimean lakes. It brought the Khanate income through customs duties (tower [bashtove] and bridge [mostove] tolls) while meeting the needs of the Ukrainian lands and Slobozhanshchyna (Sloboda Ukraine) thanks to the Cossack chumaks.

Key Details / Subtopics

  • Diplomatic etiquette in correspondence: Correspondence between the Zaporozhian kishovy otaman and Crimean high officials (kaymakans, overseers of the salt lakes — imeni) contained respectful addresses. For example, in August 1764 the Edychkul kaymakan Murtaza-aga addressed the kishovy: "In the Mosaic race, to the unashamed commander, akin to the princes of the Christian law...".
  • Infrastructural cooperation: In 1764, by order of the Crimean khan, a bridge was built across the Rohachyk River to ensure the safe and unobstructed passage of chumak wagons, and the Cossacks were guaranteed exemption from any customs payments.
  • Role of the salt-lake overseers (imeni): Letters survive from the salt-lake overseers Baba-Imen and Yusuf (1764), who informed the Kish in advance about the salt harvest, its quality, the price (5 rubles for a large salt-wagon [voz], 3 rubles for a half-load), and the condition of the pastures for the chumaks' cattle.
  • Exchange of gifts: An integral component of good neighbourliness was the exchange of gifts (saffian leather and cherry liqueur [nalivka] from the Kish; a barrel of Crimean wine from the Perekop kaymakan Ömer-khan in 1762).
  • Mediation: russian entrusted officials (for example, the Putivl merchant Oleksii Shestakov in 1759) negotiated reductions in salt prices directly with the khan at the petition of the kishovy otaman.