Археология евразийских степей (Jun 2023)
Beginning of Crimea "Ottoman Archaeology" and Return of Mengli I Giray to Power in 1478
Abstract
The research data on Crimean sites dating from the XV–XVIII centuries make it possible to establish conditionally chronological stages in the formation of Ottoman archaeology on the peninsula: 1) "Early Ottoman" (1450–1500): 2) "Ottoman" (1500–1600) and 3) "Late Ottoman" (1600–1783). Each of the stages is characterized by an increasing number of Turkish artifacts in the cultural layers, which never reached 100% as most of the items were always produced by local craftsmen. The gradual growth of the merchandise imported to the peninsula from Turkey should not be associated with the unproven vassal dependence of the Crimean Khanate on the Ottoman Empire. There is no reason to believe that Mengli I Giray was enthroned as a vassal of Mehmed II, as he escaped from Ottoman captivity on March 21, 1478 and seized power in the Crimean Khanate by force. Eminek was not physically eliminated at that time, as reported Giosafat Barbaro. Until 1481 Eminek tried to control the political activitiy of Mengli I Giray. Eminek's removal was announced by Mengli I Giray in his letter dated December 30, 1481 (addressed to the Genoese emissaries Bartolomeo Campofregoso and Lodisio Fieschi). After that we should put an end to Eminek's political career and mentions of him are interrupted. The issue of the vassal dependence of the Crimean Khanate on the Ottoman Empire remains unresolved, since no documents confirming this status of Crimea have been found so far. The conclusion that from the point of view of the Islamic theory of power the Crimean khans were independent and sovereign monarchs should be recognized as true. It would be more correct to consider the nature of the relations between the two powers during 1475–1774 as a political partnership in which the Ottoman Empire played the role of the senior partner and the Crimean Khanate – the junior one.
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