Accession of the Astrakhan Khanate. Accession of Astrakhan to the Russian State

The accession of the Astrakhan Khanate to Russia was historically conditioned, as several states formed as a result of the collapse of the Golden Horde and constantly feuded among themselves posed a threat to the southeastern borders of Russia. A weaker country, especially if it was still at the crossroads of trade routes, always needed a strong backer. And there were plenty of applicants for this role.

Splinter of the Golden Horde

The Astrakhan Khanate arose in the 16th century in the Lower Volga region. This Tatar state was formed after the collapse of the Golden Horde and it was located on the right bank of the Volga. Its capital, Hadji-Tarkhan, was 12 kilometers from present-day Astrakhan. First in 1460 the Great Horde was formed, which was the central part of the former Golden Horde. It was headed by Khan Mahmud, who was in the capital city of Saraje. Two of his sons did not share power, and Hasim, having gone to the lower reaches of the Volga, created his own separate state. Full independence it received in 1502, after the victory of the troops of the Crimean Khanate over the forces of the Great Horde.

Good neighbor

Under Hasim between Moscow, where Ivan III was sitting, and Hadji-Tarkhan established trade relations. Ships with salt came from the lower Volga to the capital. The whole of Russian history testifies that trade with Moscow bears only a benefit for both sides. In Haji-Tarhan there was a huge slave market, and goods from many countries were concentrated. However, the Astrakhan Khanate was never a strong independent power. Being in a very convenient place, it has always been a welcome catch for neighbors and not only. The Crimean and Kazan khanates, the Nogai Horde, the state, also formed as a result of the collapse of the Golden Horde and located in the interfluve of the Volga and the Urals, Khorezm - all were not averse to taking the weaker neighbor to their hands. Even Turkey tried to establish its control over the Khanate.

Double game

The accession of the Astrakhan Khanate was on the agenda. All the rulers of this Tatar state conducted a double game with Moscow. Despite the clear benefit from trade and friendship with Russia, Khan Abdul-Rahman signed secret agreements with the Crimea and Turkey. Although earlier, in 1533, under the influence of the "Russian party" formed at his court and generously bribed by Russia, the Astrakhan Khanate concluded an expanded trade and political agreement with Moscow, which dealt with friendship and mutual assistance. The direct annexation of the Astrakhan Khanate began under Ivan the Terrible. The Moscow protégé of Dervish-Ali and Abdul-Rahman from 1533 to 1556 succeeded several times on the throne.

The protege of Crimea and Turkey

Only in 1552-1554 in their struggle managed to wedge another protege of the Crimea - Yamgurchi, whose behavior, including the arrest and exile of the Russian ambassador, so outraged the then ruler of Russia, that in 1554 he made his first trip to the walls of Hadji-Tarhan . But the joining of the Astrakhan khanate was not yet the goal. They wanted to put him in a strong vassal dependence on Moscow, putting on the throne all the same Dervish-Ali. On the one hand, after the fall of Kazan, the Astrakhan principality, sensing vulnerability, ceased to behave with Moscow defiantly. On the other hand, the joint actions of the Crimea and Turkey intensified, which provided support for Yamgurchi. The robbery and the reference to one of the islands of the Caspian Sea by Ambassador Sevastyan Avraamov so enraged Ivan the Terrible that a well-equipped 30,000-strong army was sent down the Volga along the streams. They were led by Ignatius Veshnyakov and Yuri Pronsky-Shemyakin. With this part of the army, Dervish-Ali also rode. Prince Vyazemsky with a detachment of 2500 people and Danil Chulkov with a large mix of Cossacks performed separately.

Lack of pragmatism

The whole of Russian history teaches our country's enemies not to offend her, but to behave with a great power respectfully, because the punishment will necessarily come. "Astrakhan case" began in May. All Russian troops were to meet and unite in the area of the narrowest place between the Volga and the Don, called Perevolokoy. The detachments of the Nogai-Horde Khan Ismail were also to come here, whose help was the official version of the campaign undertaken. They did not come, probably because "East is a delicate matter." But all the same, the detachments of Vyazemsky and Pronsky defeated the defenders of the Astrakhan khanate who came out to meet them, among whom were the Janissaries. Yamgurchi fled to Azov, leaving absolutely everything - wives (khansh), children, a harem. The capital was taken without a fight. On the throne was planted a protégé of Moscow, solemnly swore allegiance to her.

Again the same "rake"

But the actual annexation of the Astrakhan Khanate happened later. And then either the tribute established for payment was unbearable (1,200 silver rubles, 3,000 2,5-meter sturgeons, duty-free trade all over the territory of the khanate), or the air in the capital was such, but Dervish-Ali, thrice settled by Moscow on The throne, secretly crossed over to the side of the Crimea and Turkey. By united efforts, the group is seeking the flight of Ismail, and, finally insolently, the Astrakhan khan expelled from his capital the Russian governor. Of course, they asked for it, and now the absolute and actual joining of the Astrakhan khanate to Russia became inevitable.

Punish and attach

The goal of the second campaign against Astrakhan, begun in the spring of 1556, was the total elimination of the independence of this Khanate. The united army, in fact, was punitive. It included the musketeers and Vyatka militiamen, Don and Volga Cossacks, who marched on their own in order to unite under Astrakhan. The total strength of the army did not exceed 3,000, which testified to the weakness of the impudent khanate. In fact, the city itself was taken only by the first detachment of the Volga Cossacks who arrived to its walls under the leadership of Lyapun Filimonov. And, although during the company Dervis-Ali managed to patch up the forces of the Russian troops, the victory was complete, and Astrakhan became a part of Russia without any agreements.

Further - the Trans-Urals and the North Caucasus

The accession of the Astrakhan Khanate, the date of which was August 26, 1556, was anemic and played a decisive role in the final disintegration of the remnants of the Golden Horde. Gradually, they were part of Russia or recognized a vassal from her dependence: in 1557 - Nogai Horde, then in the same year Bashkiria. And in 1560 the border of the Russian state in the east already passes through the Urals, in the southeast - along the Terek. In fact, the Kazan and Astrakhan khanates with their fall opened the way for Russia's advance to the Urals, the Terek and the Kuban. And further to our country arose the question of penetration in the Trans-Urals and the North Caucasus. But it was a question of Russia's foreign policy for the future, and in the 16th century Ivan the Terrible was fully connected to the Volga region, which provided duty-free trade. In addition, the conquest of the Astrakhan Khanate ensured the protection of Russia's borders from the south, from the Crimean Khanate, a strong and constant enemy.