Сб. Ноя 23rd, 2024
Kipchaks in the Caucasus: horses and Turks mixed in a pile

Relations with other peoples were, to put it mildly, unstable

Yaroslav Pilipchuk continues his series of articles about key periods of Turkic history. Today’s column of the Ukrainian historian in «Real Time» is devoted to the political history of the Kipchaks of the North Caucasus in the XI-XIII centuries.

The history of the Kipchaks is one of the traditional topics of world historiography. It is mainly considered in the context of the history of Byzantium, Rus and Central Asia (in Russian terminology — Central Asia), but studies of the relations of the Kipchaks with the peoples of the Caucasus are not so popular in historiography. Nevertheless, this problem was investigated in the works of Z. Anchabadze, G. Anchabadze, P. Golden, S. Pletneva, G. and Ya. Fedorovs.

Before the Kipchaks: Oguzes, Khazars, Pechenegs, Circassians

The Kipchak epoch in the history of the North Caucasian steppes was preceded by Oghuz domination in the 10th — first quarter of the 11th century. According to E. Kruglov, until the middle of the 10th century, the Oghuz and Khazars were united by an anti-Kypchak alliance. Khazars did not build fortifications on their eastern border. Oguz mercenaries served in the Khazar army, and they helped the Khazars to squeeze the Pechenegs. A Pechenegian-Oguz garrison was present at Sarkel. Juansher Juansheriani reported about Pachaniks (Pechenegs) in the neighborhood of Dzhiks (Circassians). Also in this chronicle mentioned Khazars and Ovs (Alans). Oguzes in the middle of X century occupied the former Khazar lands. Juansheriani recorded the retreat of Pachaniks and Dzhiks under the pressure of some «Turks». Pachaniks fled to the west, and Dzhiks settled near Abkhazia. The ethnonym «Turks» was supposed to denote Oghuz-Turks. The invasion of nomads from the east led to the disappearance of a number of settlements in the North Caucasus.

In contrast to the Oguzes, information about the resettlement of the Kipchaks is more fully covered in the sources. However, these sources often reported fantastic and fictitious information about the steppes of the North Caucasus. Muslihiddin Lari’s information about the settlement of the Kipchaks is taken from the Turkic epic and does not correspond to reality. Kadi Beyzavi mentioned a fictitious person — Kypchak-Melik. This author’s information is also unreliable, as such a leader did not exist among the Caucasian Kipchaks in reality.

In our opinion, the Kipchaks appeared in the Western Pre-Caspian no later than the 40s of the 11th century. But these lands were not of strategic importance for them. This is the only way to explain the fact that the Lower Volga region was beyond the borders of their influence. The local steppes were not the goal of their campaigns, but only a transit stop. Due to this, the Oguz and Bulgar population continued to dominate in the Lower Volga (Saksin). It should be noted that in the Laurentian Chronicle the Saksins and Kipchaks are not identified. Abu Hamid al-Garnati, who personally visited Saksin, noted the presence in the city of the Volga Bulgars (inhabitants of Bulgar and Suvar), Oguzes and Khazars, but did not report about the Kipchaks. The regions of the Upper Kuban and Caucasian Mineral Waters also differed ethnically from the Kipchak steppes. Stone statues in the Upper Kuban continue the traditions not of the Kipchaks, but of the ancient Turks. Е. Narozhny suggests that the Turks who lived in the Bishdag (Pyatigorie) region are not Kipchaks, but another, more ancient Turkic population.

The stone statues on the Upper Kuban continue the traditions not of the Kipchaks, but of the ancient Turks.

Donetsk vs. Derbent

The struggle was for possession of the North Caucasian and East European steppes. During the Kipchak expansion the main opponents of the Kipchaks were the Oguzes. Unfortunately, Georgian sources did not report wars between them. Early references to the Kipchaks in Georgian sources are fantastic and fictitious. Reliable information about the Kipchaks is recorded for the first time only in the «Life of King of Kings David». Next to the Kipchaks of Otrok the Georgian chronicler mentioned «Derbent Kipchaks». Georgians of David IV the Builder and Kipchaks of Otrok fought against these «Derbent Kipchaks» and Lezgins. Obviously, this war was a continuation of a longer-standing feud. The Kipchaks of Otrok, having moved from the Donets steppes to the North Caucasus, had to face the local Kipchaks.

The enmity of the Kipchaks of Otrok with the Alans should also be noted. During the resettlement of the Kipchaks of Otrok to Georgia, the Georgians had to force the Alans and Kipchaks to reconcile. Russian prince Jury (son of Andrey Bolgolyubsky) hid from his relative Vsevolod «Big Nest» in the city of Kypchak khan Sevenj (Sevinca). The Sunzha River was known to the Russians under a name similar to the name of the Kipchak Khan Sevincha. Z. Papaskiri assumes that the city was called Sundja and was located near the Sunzha River. It is not excluded that both the city and the river got their name from the name of the leader of the «Derbent Kipchaks» Sevincha.

For a long time, the «Derbent Kypchaks» were in the shadow of the Donets Kypchaks, about whom the sources mentioned more often. Galicia-Volyn chronicler reported that after the campaigns of Vladimir Monomakh Otrok fled to the «Obes». After Vladimir Monomakh’s death, Syrchan sent the singer Or to Georgia. According to legend, Or reminded Otrok of his homeland with songs and odors of the grass «Evshan», and he decided to return to his native steppes. But the reason for the migration of the Kipchaks to Georgia was not only the victories of Vladimir Monomakh’s troops, but also the proposal of King David IV the Builder to move to Georgia. In 1121 the Kipchaks participated in the Battle of Didgor. In 1123 Kipchaks of Otrok as part of Georgian troops attacked Shirvan.

Otrok returned to the steppes in 1125 after the death of David IV the Builder. However, some of his men still remained in Georgia. Georgian sources mentioned two leaders of Turkic origin — Kubasar and Kutlu Arslan. So-called «former Kipchaks», i.e. descendants of Otrok’s Kipchaks were in the service of Tsarina Tamara. They were integrated into Georgian society. But after the marriage of Queen Tamara with Alanian prince David Soslan «former Kipchaks» fell into disgrace. However, the Georgian power still needed Turkic warriors. Therefore, the «former Kipchaks» were replaced by «new Kipchaks». Obviously, they belonged to the «Derbent Kipchaks» and they could be led by Salavat (brother of Sevinch Khan).

The destinies of the Kipchaks were closely connected with Azerbaijan. Some of them even managed to lead the state of the Atabeks of Azerbaijan. One of such favorites of fortune was Shams ad-Dina Ildeniz (Ildegiz). When he was still a child, he was sold into slavery.

After the wedding of Queen Tamara with Alanian prince David Soslan, the «former Kipchaks» fell into disgrace. A Georgian coin with the names of Tamara and David. Photo wikipedia.org

In the vanguard of the Georgian army

The Kypchaks of Otrok when moving to Georgia encountered opposition from the Alans. The Georgians settled the conflict by occupying the pass and taking some of the Alanian and Kypchak aristocrats hostage. The Galicia-Volyn chronicle states that the Kipchaks crossed the «Iron Gate». Y. and G. Fedorovs assumed that the «Iron Gate» was the «Elkhotov Gate». С. Pletneva, on the other hand, believed that it was the Daryal Pass. It is quite possible that the Kipchaks crossed the Mamison pass («Kara Gate»), and not through the «Iron Gate». «Iron Gate» was often called Derbent pass, which led to the possessions of Shirvanshah, but not Georgia. Z. Anchabadze, M. Murgulia, S. Pletneva, P. Golden consider the time of migration of the Kipchaks to be 1118. At the same time they make some reservations. Z. Anchabadze and M. Murgulia indicated that the migration took place during 1118-1120. In general, this idea has been popular in Georgian historiography since the time of I. Javakhishvili. P. Golden reports that the migration of Kipchaks to Georgia took place around 1118.

М. Murgulia suggested that King David and Khan Otrok maintained contact with each other through the city of Tmutarakan (Matarkha). Al-Idrisi and Wilhelm Rubruk pointed only to Matarkha’s isolation from the steppe and its connection with the cities of the Crimea. Richard reported that Matarkha was located in the country of Sikhia (Zikhia). The change of ruler was not new for Matarkha. For several centuries it had been under different powers. The mentioning in the chronicle of Rashid ad-Din of the Circassian leader Tukar next to the country of Merim (Crimea) and the Kipchaks is not accidental at all, as Matarkha was a neighbor of the Desht-i-Kipchaks. The nomads who lived near Matarkha could be Oguzes and Pechenegs, but not Kipchaks. In the «Tale of Polk Igor» the «Tmutarakan dummy» is mentioned. But, like the territories mentioned in this source (Posulie, Pomorie, Sudak and Korsun), it is a geographical landmark that marked the borders of the Desht-i Kipchaks. The Taman Peninsula was a separate region from Desht-i-Kipchak.

Matteos Urhaeci mentioned about 15 thousand Kipchaks in the Georgian army during the battle of Didgor. Ibn al-Asir reported that 200 Kipchaks were in the vanguard of the Georgian army, which, of course, is a deliberate understatement. Georgian sources reported about 40 thousand Kipchaks in the Georgian army and 5 thousand Monaspes. Researchers assumed that together with migrant families there could have been 200-225 thousand. S. Pletneva assumed that 40 thousand warriors migrated to Georgia, including 5 thousand elite warriors. She believed that together with the Kipchak families there were about 230-240 thousand. I. Javakhishvili believed that 40 thousand families of Kipchaks moved to Georgia. His hypothesis was supported by Sh. Meskhia, S. Malakatia, R. Metreveli. M. Dumbadze, A. Kikvidze and Z. Anchabadze believed that 45 thousand Kipchak families moved to Georgia. M. Murgulia believes that the Kipchak army in Georgia numbered 50 thousand warriors. According to I. Javakhishvili’s hypothesis, the Kipchaks settled in Kartli. S. Yeremyan believed that they lived in the area of Arich and Agartsin. Sh. Meskhia was of the opinion that in addition to Kartli, Kipchaks were settled in Lower Kartli, in Somkhiti. But, most likely, 40 thousand Kipchaks is a template of medieval European historical tradition, which denoted a large number of «barbarians». In our opinion, there were 15 thousand Kipchak warriors in the whole of Georgia, and almost all of them the Georgian king had to expose against the Seljuk Turks in the battle of Didgori.

There were 15 thousand Kipchak warriors in the whole of Georgia, and practically all of them the Georgian king had to expose against the Seljuk Turks at the battle of Didgori. The memorial complex in Didgori.

Almost all peoples of the South Caucasus united against the Kipchaks

Georgia’s relations with the Kipchaks were not only allied. In 1123 the first contradictions appeared between them. Obviously, they forced Otrok and most of his men to migrate back to the North Caucasian steppes. It is logical to assume that part of the Kipchaks lived in the North Caucasian steppes during Otrok’s stay in Georgia. Syrchan could rule that part of the Donets Kipchaks, which was nomadic in the North Caucasian steppes. Otrok has returned to steppes after death David IV Builder and Vladimir Monomakh. Already Otrok’s son Konchak carried out active policy in relation to Russia. Vladimir Monomakh, realizing the steppe policy, concluded dynastic marriages. Daughters of khans Aep have married Jury (son of Vladimir Monomakh) and Svyatoslav (son of prince Oleg). Aepa is probably the chief of clan or tribe Kai. There were two such chiefs. One of them was the son of Aseny, and the second — Girgeny. Their daughters were respectively the granddaughters of Aseny and Girgeny. The alliance with the Aepes had to provide for common actions against the Sharukanids. Dynastic marriages with Kipchaks would have no sense if they did not lead to political consequences. It is possible to assume that the dynasty of Asen and Aep for some time could seize the former possessions of Sharukanids on the Seversky Donets. Syrchan in this case was to control the steppes in the Eastern Azov and on the Don. After the return of Otrok’s forces from Georgia, the Sharukanids were able to reclaim their former possessions on the Seversky Donets.

In 1222 the inhabitants of Gandzak (Ganja) asked the Kipchaks for help against the Georgians. Probably allies of the Ganja residents were «Derbent Kipchaks», who roamed closest to Derbent and Ganja. Kirakos Ganzaketsi and Sebastatsi indicated that it was difficult to take Derbent by storm. It is logical to assume that the emir of Derbent let the Kipchaks through the pass. The invasion of the Kipchaks and actions of the Ganjis caused a reaction on the part of Georgians. An army was sent against the Kipchaks, but it was defeated by the Kipchaks. The next year Giorgi IV Lasha again gathered an army and defeated the Kipchaks. Ibn al-Asir pointed out that almost all peoples of the South Caucasus united their forces against the Kipchaks. The campaign of 1222-1223 had disastrous consequences for the «Derbent Kipchaks». An-Nasawi mentioned that the emir of Khorezmshah Jalal ad-Din managed to agree on an alliance with the Kipchak khan Gyurge (Gurka, Gyur-khan). The latter can be compared to Yuri (Yurge, Gyurgy) Konchakovitch. Obviously, the «Derbent Kipchaks» fell under the rule of the confederation of Donets Kipchaks.

During Jalal ad-Din’s campaigns in Georgia, Rashid ad-Din mentioned the Kipchaks. Armenians, Lezgins, Saririans, Abkhazians and Alans were mentioned alongside them as allies of Georgians. Juwayni also mentioned Chanians, Svans, Rumians and Syrians among Georgian allies. According to Persian chroniclers, Khorezmians lured Kypchaks to their side. According to them, the Kipchaks evaded the battle and abandoned the Georgians. Georgian chronicler did not report about participation of Kipchaks in this war, but informed that queen Rusudana called an army of Georgians, mountain peoples of the Caucasus and Alans. The Georgians did not include the Kipchaks in the coalition. The memory of the war of 1222-1223 was still alive. The Kipchaks did not take part in repelling attacks of Khorezmians of Jalal ad-Din and battles with them.

The Georgian king David IV the Builder contacted the Donets Kypchaks through Matarkha. Monument to Tsar David IV the Builder (Kutaisi). Photo wikimapia.org

The Kipchaks conquered the Caspian steppes in the 40s of the 11th century, but the Oghuz component dominated there for a long time, as the Caspian steppes were not a goal for them, but an intermediate stop. After the defeat of the Donets Kipchaks of Otrok by Vladimir Monomakh, the Caucasian Kipchaks were attacked by the Donets and pushed to the east of the North Caucasus. In Georgian sources Caucasian Kipchaks were known as «Derbent Kipchaks». The Georgian king David IV the Builder contacted the Kipchaks through Matarkha. The relations of the Kipchaks with Georgia were not stable. The Donets Kipchaks were allies of Georgia under Otrok, but already under his descendants the relations deteriorated. The situation at the end of the XII century required Georgian queen Tamara to attract Kipchak gulams, and Sevincha’s brother Salavat headed the Georgian army corps of «new Kipchaks» who replaced «former Kipchaks» (descendants of Donets Kipchaks of Otrok). Under Tsar Giorgi IV Lasha and Tsarina Rusudana Georgians did not rely on Kipchaks anymore, their allies were mountaineers and Alans. The campaign of the «Derbent Kipchaks» in 1222-1223 led to the collapse of the «Derbent Kipchaks» and the incorporation of their lands into the confederation of the Donets Kipchaks.

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