Crimean Khanate

Crimean Khanate (Khanate of Crimea)

Tatars had obtained a firm footing in the northern and central parts of the Crimean peninsula as early as the 13th century, and after the destruction of the Golden Horde by Timur, they founded an independent khanate in 1427 under Hadji Ghirai, a descendant of Genghis Khan. He and his successors reigned first at Solkhat (Eski-krym), and from the beginning of the 15th century, at Bahchesaray.

After 1478, they ruled as tributary princes of the Ottoman Empire.

They used to be in wars with Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Muscovy (Russian Empire).

In 1777, defeated by the Russian general (future generalissimo) Suvorov, they became dependent upon Russia, and finally in 1783 the whole of the Crimea was annexed to the Russian Empire.