Ottoman campaign in the North Caucasus

1583 military operation

Ottoman campaign in the North Caucasus

Part of Russo-Turkish wars and Circassian-Turkish conflicts
| Date| 1583

|

Location|

North Caucasus (Sunzha River, Terek, Beshtau)

Result|  Cossack-Circassian victory
Belligerents
Ottoman Empire
Emirate of Shirvan|  Kabardia (East Circassia)
Greben Cossacks
Commanders and leaders
Osman Pasha|  Mamstryuk Temryukovich [ru]
Strength
c. 8,000|  Unknown
Casualties and losses
Heavy losses[1]|  Unknown

The Ottoman campaign in the North Caucasus was a military operation conducted in 1583 by the Ottoman Empire and its vassal, the Emirate of Shirvan, aimed at crossing the North Caucasus and reaching Crimea via Circassian territory.[2][3]

## Background

[edit]

The resumption and strengthening of relations between Kabarda and Russia can be traced back to the period of the prolonged Ottoman-Safavid War, which broke out in 1578.[4][5] Taking advantage of the conflict, the Kabardian "Great Prince" Kambulat Idarov appealed to Moscow for assistance, requesting that the Tsar protect them "from the Crimean Khan and other enemies."[6] Russian government provided emergency assistance. A military leader, L. Novosiltsev, was sent along with a group of streltsy (musketeers) to construct a new fortress – 'with many people.[7]

At this time, the Crimean kalga Adil Giray advanced through the North Caucasus towards the Caspian region. The Kabardian princes and Russian voivode Lev Novosiltsev allowed his forces to pass through Kabardia. The Crimean troops were completely defeated in the Battle of Mollahasanli, and the commander was captured. The remnants of his return, which amounted to c. 10,000 upon his return, were scattered by the Russians.[7]

In the mid-16th century, the Tsardom of Russia sought to strengthen its influence in the North Caucasus through alliances with the local nobility of Kabardia. A directive from Moscow summoned two prominent Kabardian princes—Mamstryuk-murza and Kazy-murza Shikapshuk—to enter Russian service with up to 300 Circassians.[citation needed] They were ordered to arrive in Astrakhan by the feast day of Saint Simeon and then proceed to Ukraine to join Temryuk Idar before winter:

> "Mamstryuk-murza and Kazy-murza Shikapshuk should enter our service and bring with them up to three hundred Circassians, and be present in Astrakhan by the day of Saint Simeon. From Astrakhan, you are to proceed to our Ukraine and join Temryuk before the onset of frost.[8]

In this charter, princes Mamstryuk Temryukov and Kazy Psheapshokov were instructed to move their troops to the southern borders of Russia in order to carry out border service and prevent unexpected incursions by the Crimean Tatars into the interior regions of the country. This indicates that the close ties between Kabardia and Russia, which had been interrupted in 1570–1571, were restored beginning in 1578, following the visit to Moscow by the senior prince of Kabardia, Kambulat Idarov.[9]

## Campaign

[edit]

In the conflict between Russia, the Crimean Khanate, and the Ottoman Empire, Russia continued to act in cooperation with the Kabardians as it had previously. According to N. F. Smirnov:

> "Soon, a new opportunity arose to deal a severe blow to the Ottoman army, which was traveling from Derbent to the Crimea with the aim of overthrowing the rebellious Khan Mehmed Giray. This mission was entrusted by the Sultan to the ruler of Shirvan, Osman Pasha, who, with considerable forces, moved in the autumn of 1583 towards Sunzha, intending to cross the North Caucasus and enter the Crimea through Temryuk and Taman.[10]"

On his route, the Grebentsy and Kabardians ambushed Pasha at the Sunj River crossing, attacking him, which resulted in a fierce battle. Osman Pasha managed to break through and cross the Terek River, but for three days, he was pursued by Cossacks and Kabardians. Osman Pasha set up camp at the Mount Beshtau, but even here, he was unable to hold his position under heavy pressure and, with his pitiful remnants, fled.[3]

## Aftermath

[edit]

In subsequent years, the Ottoman Turks and Crimean Tatars continued to launch attempts to pass through the North Caucasus in order to reach the South Caucasus.[2] In response to the protest note, the Russian tsar completely disowned the activities of the Cossacks and Circassians, declaring them "fugitive criminals".[8]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Мальбахов Б. К. "Кабарда на этапах политической истории (середина XVI — первая четверть XIX века), Москва, из-во «Поматур», 2002 г. ISBN 5-86208-106-2, ст. 247
2. ^ a b Dzamikhov, K. F. "Chapter VI. Military-Political Cooperation between the Adyghe and the Russian State in the Struggle Against the Crimean Khanate – Section 6.1: Joint Struggle of Adyghe Feudal Principalities and Russia against the Crimean Khanate in the Mid-16th to Late 17th Century (Conclusion)". Kabardino-Balkarian Institute for Humanitarian Research (in Russian).
3. ^ a b Dzamikhov, K. F. (2008). Adyghe: Milestones of History (PDF). Elbrus. p. 498\. ISBN 978-5-7680-2176-4.
4. ^ The Encyclopedia of World History Peter N. Stearns, p.352
5. ^ Islam by Gerhard Endress, p. 194
6. ^ Vilinbakhov, Vadim Borisovich (1977). Iz istorii russko-kabardinskogo boevogo sodruzhestva (in Russian). Nalchik: Kabardino-Balkarskii institut istorii, filologii i ekonomiki pri Sovete Ministrov KBASSR. p. 59.
7. ^ a b Pamyatniki diplomaticheskikh snosheniy drevney Rossii s derzhavami inostrannymi (PDF) (in Russian). St. Petersburg: Tip. II Otdeleniia Sobstvennoi E.I.V. Kantseliarii. 1851. pp. 941–944.
8. ^ a b Yaşar, Murat (2022). The North Caucasus borderland between Muscovy and the Ottoman Empire, 1555-1605. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 978-1-4744-9871-5. p. 139
9. ^ С. А. Белокуров (1889). Сношения России с Кавказом [Relations of Russia with the Caucasus] (PDF) (in Russian). Vol. 1\. М. pp. 318–319.
10. ^ N. A. Smirnov (1948). Кабардинский вопрос в русско-турецких отношениях [The Kabardian Question in Russo-Turkish Relations. XVI-XVIII centuries] (in Russian). Нальчик: Кабард. гос. изд-во. p. 20.

*[c.]: circa