The Kabardian Civil War of 1720–1736 was a dynastic and political conflict fought in Greater Kabardia between 1720 and 1736 between two rival Kabardian coalitions: Bakhsan Party, led primarily by the Misost and Hatokhshoqo princely houses, and the Kashkatau Party, centered around the Qeytuqo and Bechmirza dynasties. Triggered by escalating tensions between Kabardia and the Crimean Khanate following the attack of Kabardians into Chechen lands, when the Crimean-aligned Shamkhals of Tarki, who claimed Chechens as their subjects, reported the incursion to the Crimean Khanate. The conflict developed into a prolonged struggle over political supremacy, foreign alignment, and the future autonomy of Kabardia.
Background
As a successor state to the Golden Horde, the Crimean Khanate claimed sovereignty over the Circassia. This political relationship was characterized primarily by the obligation of Circassian princes to pay tribute to the Crimean Khan, predominantly in the form of slaves. This tribute was demanded upon the ascension of a new Khan to the throne or levied as fines for crimes committed by Circassian subjects. When Circassian leaders refused to deliver the required number of captives, the Crimean leadership launched punitive military expeditions to enforce payment. These raids were justified by labelling the Circassians as "infidels". This justification became complicated from the 16th century onward as the Circassians increasingly converted to Islam; however Crimean Khans often ignored these conversions and rejected negotiations with Circassian envoys who pleaded over their shared religion.
Despite the presence of Islam, there was debate over whether the region was Dar al-Harb (the Abode of War), where slaves could be taken, or Dar al-Islam (the Abode of Islam), which would prevent enslavement. Despite some legal rulings (kanunname) suggesting Sharia should apply to certain tribes (which would protect them), the Ottoman state supported the Crimean Khan in enslaving Circassians, treating the region effectively as a source of slaves regardless of religious affiliation. It was not possible to determine whether the Circassians entering the Ottoman market were from Dar al-Harb or not, as both allied Muslim Circassians and non-Muslim Circassians were raided by the Khanate. The Circassians were described as "neither Christians nor Muslims" by a courtier of the Crimean Khan. Some Ottoman chroniclers mention that the Circassians fought against the Crimean Khanate because they could not stand the "Tatar tyranny and oppression" (). In some cases, the Circassians pleaded with the Ottoman sultan directly, arguing that they were fellow Muslims, thus it was therefore "against the sharia to turn them into slaves". The Sultan withdrew permission for the Khan's campaigns based on this argument, although the Khan proceeded regardless.
Prelude
In 1720, when several Kabardian princes appealed to Peter I of Russia for support against their regional opponents. In their letter the Kabardian nobles reported that, together with detachments of the Don Cossacks, they had carried out a punitive campaign against nearby Chechen settlements. According to the document, Kabardian and Cossack forces attacked several Chechen communities, inflicted notable casualties, seized property, and took a number of women and children captive.
Shortly after this campaign, Kabardia itself came under pressure from the Crimean Khanate. The Kabardian princes reported that forces of the Crimean khan, supported by Kuban Tatars and several Circassian groups that had broken away from Kabardia, conducted an incursion that devastated local supplies. This situation prompted the Kabardian leadership to request military assistance from Russia and to propose the construction of a Russian fortress in their territory.
The campaign inflicted heavy losses on the targeted clans and demonstrated Kabardia's loyalty to Russia, but the forces soon withdrew to their homeland without establishing permanent control over the area because of low supplies In August 1720, Aslanbech Qeytuqo and other Kabardian princes wrote to Peter I about their raids against the Chechens and asked him to build a town in their land:
"We hereby report to Your Royal Majesty that some peoples, called Chechens, who are your enemies, sovereign, and we, uniting with the Don Cossacks, attacked them, destroyed them and killed many. Their wives and children were taken captive, and their belongings and baggage were seized by the Don Cossacks. We hold so many of the captured captives in our custody to this day, and we pray to the Lord God that Your Royal Majesty may always achieve such victories over your enemies. From that captive supply, as a guarantee, we have sent to you, Your Royal Majesty, one boy and one girl, and every year we serve Your Royal Majesty without sparing our lives."
However, this angered the Shamkhals of Tarki, Aksal, and Endirey, who claimed Chechens as their subjects. The Shamkhals, who reacted harshly, reported this to the Crimean Khan for him to launch a punitive campaign against the Kabardians. Upon hearing this, the Kabardian princes appealed to Russia for help in repelling the Crimean invasion, and for the construction of a new fortress in Beshtamak area near Terek, to protect Kabardia.
The civil war
First phase
The expulsion of Bakhty Giray from Kabardia and the subsequent Trans-Kuban campaign significantly worsened relations between the Kabardians and the Crimean Khanate. After coming to power in Bakhchisarai, Saadet IV Giray advanced with a force of approximately 40,000 troops to the Kabardian frontier and issued an ultimatum. The Crimean Khan sent a thousand well-armed seimen soldiers to Kabardia under the command of Salih Giray, the Sultan. By mid-June 1720, the Crimeans were encamped on Kyzburun. Salih Giray accepted the oath of allegiance to Crimea from the Misost and Hatokhshoqo families, in confirmation of which he demanded hostages and the payment of tribute in slaves.
Saadet Giray IV presented the following demands to the Jambot clan: Severance of relations with Russia Acceptance of Crimean citizenship and payment of a tribute of one yasyr from each household Relocation to the Kuban region
The first three points were mandatory; if they were not fulfilled, the khan threatened to destroy their homes, burn them down, and execute everyone. However, the Kabardians categorically refused all demands. Aslanbech's group declared that the Kabardian princes had never been under Crimean rule, but had long been allies of Russia. After this, Salih Giray Sultan gave the order to attack Kashkhatau. On June 24, 1720, the Crimean detachment stood at Tatartu.
During deliberations, the Misost faction and their allies proposed accepting these terms. Envoys were dispatched to Crimea offering 1,000 yasyrs as partial compensation, while warning that no tribute would be given if the khan resorted to military action. In response, the khan ordered the execution of the envoys and advanced his forces across the Kuban River.
These events led to a division within the Kabardian assembly (khasa) into two factions: one aligned with the Crimean-Ottoman side, including the Hatokhshoqo and Misost dynasties, led by Yislambech Misost, Bemat Kurghoqo, and others. Their faction was referred to as the "Bakhsan Party". On the other side, there was the "Kashkatau Party" including Qeytuqo and Bechmirza dynasties, led by Aslanbech Qeytuqo.
In the spring of 1720, Saadat Giray led a Crimean Tatar force into Kabardia, devastating and plundering several settlements while demanding compliance with his ultimatum. With his support, Yislambech Misost, leader of the pro-Ottoman Kabardian nobility, was proclaimed Grand Prince of Kabardia in 1721.
Assassination attempt
Recognizing that the Qeytuqeys and Bekmirzeys formed the obstacle to achieve control over Kabardia, the Crimean leadership resolved to neutralize them through a targeted political assassination. The plot was masterminded and executed by Sultan Salikh-Giray, the son of Khan Saadet-Giray. Salih-Giray maintained deep political ties within Kabardia, having been raised by the Misostey family under the traditional institution of Atalyk (foster-brotherhood).
In the summer of 1720, Sultan Salikh-Giray launched the operation, attempting to ambush and assassinate Prince Aslanbech Qeytuqo and members of the Bechmirza dynasty while they were within central Kabardian territory. However, the operation failed to achieve total surprise. Due to either tactical errors by the attackers or timely intelligence received by the targets, Aslanbech Qeytuqo and the Bechmirza leadership successfully evaded the trap and survived the assassination attempt completely unharmed.
Saadet Giray avoided further incursion into Kabardia due to a plague outbreak and withdrew to Crimea. Meanwhile, the Kashkatau faction, confined in the Cherek valley, appealed for Russian support. Yislambech Misost, relying on Crimean backing, attempted to blockade the settlement and cut off supply routes.
In spring 1721, Moscow dispatched Don Cossack forces in support of the Kashkatau party, which, together with Aslanbech's forces, defeated the Bakhsan faction on Nogai territory. On 16 May 1721, the Military Collegium raised the Kabardian issue before the Senate, seeking to determine whether aid could be provided without provoking conflict with the Ottoman Empire.
Only in mid-January 1721, after the battle on the Nalchik River, during which most of the Bakhsan nobles went over to the side of Qeytuqey village, were the Crimean troops expelled from the center of Kabarda. In this battle the Crimeans lost no fewer than 360 men killed. Despite the apparent success of the Kashkatau party, Crimea resumed its offensive against the descendants of Jembulat (the Bechmirza's and Qeytuqo's) in the spring of 1721.
Later that year, Astrakhan Governor A. P. Volynsky arrived in the Greben region with Cossack and Kalmyk detachments. He attempted to reconcile the warring Kabardian factions, secure oaths of loyalty, and obtain hostages. Yislambech Misost was taken into custody. In April 1722, Yislambech Misost sent a letter to the Russian Emperor pledging allegiance and offering his son and nephew as hostages. However, after his release, he resumed his alliance with the Crimean Khanate. He later reaffirmed his allegiance to Crimea and strengthened ties through marriage alliances, including the marriage of his daughter to Salih-Girey, then Kuban serasker.
Subsequently, Yislambech, Salih-Girey, Bemat Kurghoqo, and other leaders raised a joint force and attacked territories held by the Kashkatau faction. On 9 March 1723, the Collegium of Foreign Affairs reviewed Misost's case after reports confirmed his violation of oaths and collaboration with Crimean forces. Letters sent by Kashkatau leaders to Astrakhan Governor Ivan Kikin described ongoing sieges and requested Russian military assistance. Orders were issued for support from Kalmyk Khan Ayuka and the Don Cossacks, and diplomatic correspondence was sent to the Russian court. Despite these measures, relief was limited, and the Cherek settlement remained under siege.
Second phase
Following a change in Crimean leadership under Devlet Giray II, Aslanbech Qeytuqo sought rapprochement with Bakhchisarai. A political realignment followed, and alliances were reinforced through marriage between Qeytuqey family and the Crimean ruling house. The new khan appointed Bakhty-Girey as serasker in Kuban, who in turn negotiated an agreement with Aslanbech for the seizure of supreme authority in Kabarda and its incorporation under Ottoman influence.