Tatars on the military service to the Ottoman sultans

Abstract

Research Objectives: Studying the contributions of the Crimean and Nogai Tatars to the military efforts of the Ottoman state from the moment that the Crimean Khanate fell under the Turkish protectorate until the mid-19th century. Research materials. The article is based on an analysis of sources and rich historiographical material, the works of domestic and foreign scientists on the topic of research. Results and Novelty of the Research: An analysis of sources and historiography shows that over the centuries, thousands of Tatars (Crimean, Nogai, Kazan) fought in the ranks of the Ottoman army. The participation of the troops of the Crimean Khanate significantly strengthened the capabilities of the Sultan’s armies. After the joining of Crimea in 1783, thousands of Crimean and Nogai Tatars left the territory of the Khanate and continued to fight against Russia. In 1787, the Ottoman authorities proclaimed the revival of the Crimean Khanate. The armed forces of the Girays fought against the Russians and Austrians in the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1791. After the war of 1787–1791, despite the liquidation of the Khanate, the Ottoman government continued to actively involve Tatars in military service. The Tatar cavalry fought on the side of the Sultan in the Russian-Turkish wars of 1806–1812 and 1828–1829. Military personnel of the Dobruja Tatar Regiment took part in a number of key events in the Turkish military history of the 19th century. During the Crimean War (1853–1856), the combined forces of British, French and Turkish troops landed in Crimea. The allies, at the same time, used the help from the Crimean Tatar population. Later, Crimean Tatars also participated in Turkish wars, such as the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 and World War I (1914–1918).

Keywords

• crimean war
• crimean tatars
• crimean khanate
• tatars
• ottoman empire