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Shahin Giray

Shahin Giray — the last Crimean khan (1777–1783), a representative of the Giray dynasty. He came to power with the assistance of the russian empire, carried out reforms in the russian style, but was overthrown by the revolt of 1782. He abdicated in 1783 and died in exile on the island of Rhodes.

Overview

Shahin Giray belonged to the Giray family and was born in Adrianople (Edirne). In his youth he visited Europe and knew French, russian, Greek, Italian, and Turkish. After the proclamation of the independence of the Crimean Khanate, foreseen by the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, Devlet Giray became the ruler, while Shahin received the title of qalga. His stay in St. Petersburg on a diplomatic mission and the favorable attitude of the empire's high officials influenced his worldview — Shahin became a conduit of russian influence in Crimea. In her correspondence with Voltaire, Catherine II described him as "the Crimean dauphin — the most amiable of the Tatars; handsome, intelligent, educated unlike a Tatar, writes poetry, eager to see and learn everything."

Key Details / Subtopics

  • Rise to power: He led the Nogays of the Kuban; in 1777, with russia's assistance, he ascended the Bakhchisarai throne.
  • Reforms: Administrative and governance changes, clothing in the St. Petersburg fashion, harsh executions of opponents.
  • Revolt of 1782: In 1780 the Nogays refused to submit; in 1781 the mirzas complained to St. Petersburg (ignored); in 1782 the revolt overthrew Shahin — his brother Bahadir Giray briefly occupied the throne, and the khan's guard went over to the rebels. Shahin fled to russian-occupied Kerch.
  • Return with russian help: Bahadir Giray turned to Istanbul; the Ottoman Empire proclaimed Mahmud Giray khan in Kaffa. Shahin appealed to Catherine — two russian regiments entered Karasubazar through Perekop without resistance, and a regiment marched on the Kuban. Shahin returned to Bakhchisarai, but only briefly.
  • Abdication and exile: In 1783 he abdicated; he was given a choice: 200,000 karbovanets in annual pension or exile in chains (he chose the pension). He lived in Taganrog, Kaluga, and Voronezh; in 1787 he moved to Turkey, where he was exiled to the island of Rhodes and soon executed.
  • The frigate "Shahin Giray": Twenty-four years later, a frigate of the same name entered service in the Turkish fleet; in 1811, during the russo-Turkish War of 1806–1812, it became a trophy of the russians and continued to serve in the Black Sea Fleet under the same name.
  • King and Khan — an article by Valerii Verkhovsky in the newspaper "Krymska svitlytsia" (2018, No. 49), the primary source.
  • Stanisław Poniatowski — the last Polish king, whose parallel fate is described in the source.
  • King and Khan (concept page) — a page dedicated to the parallel fates of the two monarchs.
  • Black Sea Fleet — the frigate "Shahin Giray" served in the Black Sea Fleet after 1811.
  • Bilohirsk — Karasubazar (present-day Bilohirsk), through which russian troops entered in 1782.
  • Andrii Shchekun — the editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Krymska svitlytsia," in which the source was published.