Conquests of Inal the Great
Inal, who then ruled Western Circassia, organized a campaign to Eastern Circassia in 1434 and established the Kabardia province, named after his military general, Kabard. Inal organized a new campaign to the north in 1438 and drove out the Turkic nomads near the Circassian settlements north of the Kuban River along the Ten River and expanded his borders to modern-day Azov.
| The Conquests of Inal the Great | |||||||
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| Part of Circassian-Turkic conflicts | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Küchük Muhammad Mamia II Dadiani †  Liparit I Dadiani George Dadiani † Ozdemir † |
 Inal the Great of Circassia | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 100.000 | 30.000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
Before the war[edit]
By the end of the century, the offensive of the armies of Topal Emir (Aksak Timur) into the North Caucasus was a serious test. The Circassians, together with the Tatar prince Tokhtamysh, fought a major battle against the armies of the Topal Emir Timur. They defeated the looted army of the Lame Temir and inflicted heavy losses. In 1345, the Lame Temir chose to attack the Circassians yet again, which had put up great resistance to him, rather than destroy Moscow from the upper side of the Caucasus, he crossed the Ten (Don) River and entered circassian lands. Despite all his perseverance and desires, the enemy objective wasn't to capture the Circassian lands, but to pillage them. The Circassians suffered huge human losses. Settlements and fields were burned and destroyed. Circassia was ledt devastated. Because of this the unity of the Circassians was destroyed.
Wanting to take advantage of this situation, the Genoese forces on the banks of the Akhyn River, located on the coasts of Circassia, moved freely through Circassian lands and Circassian cities as they pleased, took power into their own hands and began to live in the Circassia. There was a danger that the Circassian lands, which even the Mongols could not capture for centuries, would come under the rule of the Genoese.
Prince Inal saved the Circassian people from such a dangerous and difficult situation. All the Grand Dukes/Princes wanted to unite the Circassian people and restore the former power and dignity of the people. With this in mind, Inal first created his own army. By himself and the circassians under his command began their struggle. His goal was to seize suzerainty, unite all Circassian lands and create a great state.
The conflict[edit]
Conquest of Kuban and Eastern Circassia
After Inal turned the Circassian lands into a single state, all Circassian armies came under his command. Using this army, he began to counteract the enemy. He attacked the Tatars, who had occupied the Circassian lands for centuries, and pursued them to the Ten River. Meanwhile, the commander of the army, Tambi Kabarda, granted freedom to the Circassians who settled on the banks of the Kuban River.
Galonifontibus, Johannes de describes that at the turn of the XIV and XV centuries Circassia expanded its borders north to the mouth of the Don, and he notes that “the city and port of Tana are located in the same country in Upper Circassia, on the Don River, which separates Europe from Asia. "Its description matches the extensions of the Original.
Mastering Khumaran made it possible for Inal to develop an offensive east of the river. Kuban. Military campaigns in this direction were led by Kabarda Tambi. Moving east, Kabarda Tambi founded on the right bank of the river. Malki surrounded a new settlement with earthen fortifications and built a watchtower. The fortification became a stronghold for further advancement to the east. The population of the Central Ciscaucasia was heterogeneous. In addition to the Circassians, Ossetians lived here - Digorians and Ironians, who were located in the upper reaches of the river basin. Terek. To the east of the Ossetians, Vainakh tribes lived in the mountains. The presence of Svan tower complexes and other stone structures in the upper reaches of the river. Kuban, Baksan, Chegem and Cherek indicate the advancement of part of the Svans after the Mongol devastation of the 13th century on the northern slopes of the Caucasus Range. The nomadic Tatars were located in the Cis-Caucasian steppes. The Horde were the dominant force in the region. The advancement of Kabarda Tambi inevitably collided with the dominance of the Tatars. Judging by the fact that already in the second quarter of the 15th century. In the Central Ciscaucasia, hordes of nomads are not recorded; the Tatars were forced out to the north. The activity of the Circassians in the Central Ciscaucasia is most likely associated with the campaign of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas against the “Cherkassy of Pyatigorsk”, which took place in 1412. Vytautas was an ally of the descendants of Khan Tokhtamysh, who could turn to him for help against the expansion of Inal in a strategically important area for the Tatars area.
Here was not only the traditional Horde headquarters, but the most important routes to Transcaucasia through the Caucasus Range, which were of economic and strategic importance. In connection with the Adyghe-Tatar relations in the Central Ciscaucasia, the message of I. Barbaro, who observed the movement of the Tatar horde in the winter of 1438, is appropriate. The Tatar khans Nauruz and Kezimakhmet decided to go from Sarai to fight against Khan Ulumakhmet, who was in Russian lands. From the message of I. Barbaro, we see that the Tatar horde first descended into the Tyumen (Priterechny) steppes, then circled Circassia along the perimeter of its border. Namely, the Central Ciscaucasia and part of the northeastern Caucasus, in the lower reaches of the river. Terek. The conclusion suggests itself that by this time Inal was able to finally secure these lands for Circassia, and the Tatars did not want to invade or even touch the possessions of the Circassians.
Genoese-Circassian War
According to legend, Inal managed to take all the Genoese fortresses with the exception of the most powerful of them - Khumaran. Despite the damage caused to the city during Timur's invasion in 1396, it was a natural fortress that remained strategically inaccessible. Khumaran controlled the pass routes along the gorges of the river. Kuban, Mary and Teberda, which led to Transcaucasia, and was of great strategic importance. It was located on the flat top of Mount Kalezh (Adyghe - “old fortress”), above the modern Circassian village of Khumaran. The city was surrounded by a powerful stone wall, the length of which was 1900 m, and its area was 5 hectares. The walls were made of powerful stone blocks with dimensions on average of 1 x 0.5 x 3 m. The fortress wall was interspersed with towers, of which there were at least 15. The city was a natural fortification dominating the river valley. Kuban.
The top of the mountain is surrounded by sheer exposed rocks, forming a kind of natural scarp, which further strengthened the city’s defense. Only from the east could the city be approached along a winding road running along the Inal gully. The name of the beam indicates that Inal led the assault on the fortress from this side, which was strategically more convenient, where, perhaps, his camp headquarters was located. Inal, according to legend, had to stand for a long time under the walls of one of the most powerful fortresses in the Caucasus.
The first assaults ended unsuccessfully for him and were associated with heavy losses. Only energy and perseverance, an assessment of the strategic situation allowed him to take the last and main stronghold of the Genoese, which occupied an advantageous strategic position. The Genoese, exhausted by the blockade and long siege, agreed to leave Humaran on the condition that Inal guaranteed them immunity while they were in his possessions. After the Genoese left the fortress and left the possessions of Inal, they were caught up with the cavalry detachment of Kabarda Tambi, who destroyed the enemies.
Insurgency in Abkhazia
The rebellion of a group of Abkhazian and Abaza feudal lords in southern Circassia, led by Prince Ozdemir, posed a significant challenge to the Inal government. Historical sources indicate that Ozdemir, according to Abadzeh legends, was an Abazin who resided in the Khamyshki tract. The rebellion was part of a broader political struggle in which the West Georgian rulers aimed to prevent Inal's forces from advancing into Abkhazia, which they saw as a substantial threat.
Ozdemir, who commanded highlanders dissatisfied with the princely authority, received support from the Genoese. He initially succeeded in defeating the army sent after him and captured the city of Humaran. However, Inal's forces eventually gained the advantage, and after a series of battles, Ozdemir was defeated and forced to retreat to the interior of Abkhazia.
Following the conclusion of the battles in Abkhazia, the rebels were completely crushed and Ozdemir perished. With the alliances with Achba and Chachba, Inal was able to subdue the Abkhazian rulers and expand into Abhkazia.
Inal campaign to Abkhazia
Inal's policy was also active in South Circassia. The consolidation of Inal from the very beginning of his reign in North-Western Abkhazia, as well as the blood relations and alliances with the powerful Abkhaz houses of Achba and Chachba obliged him to interfere in "Abkhaz affairs" . As early as the end of the XIII century, the Megrelian ruler Georgy Dadiani invaded the south-eastern regions of the Abkhaz principality, which belonged to the Abkhaz princes of Chachba. The princes of Chachba were forced to leave Sukhum.
Chachba's attempts to restore his power continued throughout the 19th century. In the early '90s. The 14th century. Vameq Dadiani invaded the lands of the princes of Chachba. The fortresses of Ugagno and Gagari were destroyed. That's when Wamek Dadiani went to Gigetia. The campaign was dictated not only by the help of the Adyghe Abkhazians, but also by the claims of the strengthened Megrelian state to Gigetia, which clashed with the interests of Circassia (this region was border). At the beginning of the XV century, the Abkhaz princes of Chachba were dependent on the Megrelian rulers of Dadiani. Megrelia's actions in Abkhazia and Djibouti led to a confrontation with Inal. Linked by kinship and alliance with Chachba, having his own interests in Abkhazia, Inal could not refuse military aid against Megrelia. Feeling the support of Inal, in 1414 the princes of Chachba broke from the obedience of Dadiani. With the help of Inal, the Megrelian army was defeated. In a bloody battle, Mamia II Dadiani was killed.
Interference in the affairs of Abkhazia meant Inal's direct claim to the whole of Abkhazia, from which followed the inevitability of conflict not only with Megrelia, but also with other West Georgian state entities. Taking advantage of the occupation of Inal in the fight against the Genoese, the Emperor Alexander I of Imereti, at the head of a large Cartvelian-Megrell army, invaded Abkhazia. Chachba was again forced to submit. Inal, engaged in a war with the Genoese, could not refuse the patronage of Abkhazia. Traditions indicate that during the siege of the Genoese fortress, Humarán Inal hurried to Abkhazia to help Chachba.
Meanwhile, a group of Abkhaz and Abkhazian feudal lords in South Circassia rose in revolt against the rule of Inal. The rebels were led by Prince Ozdemir. According to the Abadshah legends, Ozdemir was an Abazin who settled in the Hamyschka region. The mutiny was beneficial primarily to the western Georgian rulers, who thus wanted to prevent the inevitable Inal's campaign into Abkhazia, which was extremely dangerous for them. Osdemir's actions were also to the advantage of the Genoese. Ozdemir, having united a significant number of dissatisfied with the strong princely power of the Inal mountaineers, defeated the army sent against him. After the capture of Humran, Inal himself with his main forces opposed the rebels. Ozdemir was defeated, after which he fled to the interior of Abkhazia. During the military operations in Abkhazia, the rebels were completely defeated, and Ozdemir was killed. Inal, relying on an alliance with Achba and Chachba, managed to subjugate the insubordinate Abkhaz rulers and spread his influence to Abkhazia.
Inal's campaign into Abkhazia was directed primarily against Megrelia and other western Georgian possessions. According to R. Traho, the war took place in 1433-1434, as a result of which the power of Inal over Abkhazia was recognized. The loss of power over Abkhazia by the Megrelian ruling house by the end of the first half of the XV century and its independence is confirmed by other data. Thus, during the correspondence of the Kartvelian king George VIII with the Duke of Burgundy in 1459, in connection with the planned campaign against the Turks, the duke (prince) of Abkhazia Rabia is mentioned as an independent owner. By the end of his stay in Abkhazia, Inal's post could be located in Psh, in the Inal fortress, which was named in honor of the great prince. The medieval fortress towered over the village. The bowl is 100 meters high. On the northern approaches, it had a facade and a moat 8 m wide. The main entrance to the fortress was from the north side - the terraces. The height of the walls reached 7-8 m. This fortress, judging by everything, was a well-fortified point on the way to Eastern Cherkessia, through the Sanchar Pass.
Thus, Inal managed to suppress the internal rebellion, preserving the integrity of the principality, and to repel the claims of the West Georgian rulers, marking the southern borders of his state. The foreign policy of Inal led to the consolidation of the dominant positions of Circassia in the North Caucasus and the South Caucasus. It contributed to the economic and political consolidation of the Adyghe and Abkhazians, the entry into their sphere of influence not only of the related Abazin, but also of other mountain peoples. The Abkhaz campaign was the last enterprise of the great prince. After the end of hostilities, Inal remained in Abkhazia (Jigetia) to restore complete calm, where he died and was buried with great honors.
Result[edit]
The kingdom established by Inal was later divided among his sons. Despite not living in their own principality, when great things happened, they gathered together and were in solidarity. Circassian princes have always proudly said that they descended from Inala. Thanks to him, they got along. What Inal did to the Circassians was of such great value.XIX .Until a century ago, there was no one in the entire Caucasus more powerful than the Circassians, who owned territories larger than the Circassian state.
See also[edit]
Circassian Conquest of Kuban
Genoese-Circassian War
Conquest of Eastern Circassia
Insurgency in Abkhazia
Battle for Gumeren Fortress
Inal campaign to Abkhazia
References[edit]
1. PRENSLERİN PRENSİ İNAL NEKHU (PŞILERİN PŞISI İNAL NEKHU)
2. Взгляд на османские и кавказские дела
3. The Legendary Circassian Prince Inal, by Vitaliy Shtybin
4. Abkhaz World
5. PRENSLERİN PRENSİ İNAL NEKHU (PŞILERİN PŞISI İNAL NEKHU)
6. Horse Farm at 2500 meters high
7. Kokov (K'wek'we), J. N., Iz adigskoi (cherkesskoi) onomastiki [From Circassian Onomastics], Nalchik: Elbrus Book Publishing House, 1983.
8. Dubois de Montpéreux, F., Voyage autour du Caucase, chez les Tcherkesses et les Abkhases, en Colchide, en Géorgie, en Arménie et en Crimée: Avec un atlas géographique, pittoresque, ... géologique, etc., Paris: Gide, 1839-43; reprinted: Adamant Media Corporation, Elibron Classics, 2002 (6 vols).
9. Latham, Robert Gordon. Descriptive Ethnology. Londres: Voorst, 1859. Pp. 51