EARLY CRIMEAN KHANATE SETTLEMENTS AS THE PRECURSORS OF THE TOWN OF BAKHCHYSARAI

Ramazan Alchikov, Zarema Nagayeva

Abstract


Introduction: This paper analyzes the formation and development of major medieval settlements that emerged in the 14th–16th century within the boundaries of the modern Bakhchysarai. We studied written and archaeological sources to examine the evolution and structure of these settlements, and provide a general overview of the surviving architectural ensembles and landmarks. Bakhchysarai, the former capital of the Crimean Khanate, is one of those Crimean settlements where the medieval planning structure of the old town and the original organic links to the natural landscape survive to this day. Purpose of the study: We aimed to identify the historical background and specifics of how the Old Town and the surrounding historical complexes formed in Bakhchysarai. Our research involved examining historical, archaeological, and contemporary scientific sources and written media, as well as selecting and analyzing theoretical works, normative documents, and architectural designs relevant to the subject at hand. When making a systemic summary of the data that we examined, we used the following methods: structural and functional analysis, synthesis, deduction, generalization, and the comparative historical method. Results: Our findings show that, at the early stages of statehood in the Crimean Khanate, several settlements thrived in the region: Eski Yurt, which started out as a cultural, administrative, and economic hub and eventually became a major religious center; Qırq Yer, an ancient fortified cave settlement that survived into the early 20th century; and the Salacık settlement at the foot of Çufut Qale, which became the most direct precursor of the new capital in Bakhchysarai. The ruins of these settlements are part of the modern Bakhchysarai’s cultural heritage; they lie within its boundaries and greatly influence its modern appearance.

Keywords


Crimean Khanate, Bakhchysarai, settlement, architecture, türbe, historical environment.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abibullaeva, E. E. (2015). Mahalle as a territorial unit of the medieval Bakhchisaray: according to Kadiasker Notebooks’ materials. Golden Horde Review, No. 2, pp. 163–186.

Aqçoqraqlı, O. N. A., Bodaninsky, U. A. and Zasypkin, B. N. (1929). Çufut Qale. Excavation materials study. 1928–1929. Bulletin of the Tauride Society of History, Archaeology and Ethnography, Vol. 3 (60), pp. 170–187.

Berthier-Delagarde, A. L. (1920). On certain perplexing questions of medieval Tauride. Bulletin of the Tauride Research and Archive Commission, No. 57, pp. 1–135.

Bilyalova, I. Ya. and Bilyalova, L. M. (2017). The Eski Türbe Mausoleum in Bakhchysarai. In: Sukiasyan, A. A. (ed.) Impact of Science on Innovative Development. Proceedings of the International Research and Practice Conference. February 28, 2017, Yekaterinburg. Ufa: Omega Science, pp. 255–257.

Borisov, V. N. (2019). The first palace of the Khans in Eski Salajik, the old district of modern Bakhchysarai. Parts 1–3. [online] Available at: https://www.archiportal-crimea.ru/images/stories/news/2020/july/B_Borisov_Perviy_hanskiy_dvorec.pdf [Date accessed 31.02.2021].

Çelebi, E. (2008). A book of travels. Crimea and Surrounding areas: fragments from the book of a Turkish traveler of the 17th century. 2nd edition. Simferopol: Dolya, 272 p.

Choref, M. M. (2007). On localizing and dating the overground Armenian church in Bakhchysarai. Historical Heritage of Crimea, No. 20.

Dombrovsky, F. M. (1848). Historical and statistical overview of the town of Bakhchysarai. Novorossiya Calendar for 1849, pp. 380–396.

Gaivoronsky, O. (2016). The land of Crimea. Essays on the historical landmarks of the Crimean Khanate. Simferopol: N. F. Ablayeva, 336 p.

Gertsen, A. G. and Mogarichev, Yu. M. (1993). The Fortress of Jewels. Qırq Yer. Çufut Qale. Simferopol: Tavriya, 128 p.

Gertsen, A. G. and Mogarichev, Yu. M. (1999). The ethnic history of Çufut Qale. In: Historical experience of inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony in Crimea. Simferopol, pp. 48–52.

Gertsen, A. G. and Mogarichev, Yu. M. (2016). Qırq Yer. Çufut Qale. Fortress on the seventh climate threshold: research, guide, album. Simferopol: Antikva, 312 p.

Karlov, S. V. (2010). New data on the medieval settlement of Eski Yurt in Bakhchysarai. In: Proceedings of the International Research and Practice Conference “Solkhat as the Center of the Golden Horde Culture in Crimea: Research Results and Prospects, Monument Conservation Issues”. Simferopol, pp. 35–76.

Khalit, N. Kh (2014). Architecture of the Crimean Khanate. Crimean Historical Review, No. 2, pp. 243–281.

Lomakin, D. A. (2017). “A large mosque which ruins are still visible”: domestic historiography from the last quarter of the eighteenth to the early twenty-first century on the mosque of the mediaeval fortress of Kyrk-Er (Chufut-Kale). Materials in Archaeology, History and Ethnography of Tauria, No. 22, pp. 535–551.

Manstein, C. H. (1875). General Manstein’s notes on Russia, 1727–1744. [online] Available at: https://www.prlib.ru/item/411984 [Date accessed December 22, 2020].

Nabokov, A. I. (2016). Main stages in study of ancient city of Chufut-Kale. History & Archaeology of Crimea, No. 3, pp. 348–371.

Osmanov, E. E. (2012). The religious structures of Bakhchysarai in the late 18th — early 20th century. [online] Available at: http://kukiit.ru/docs/ts/no2/13.pdf [ Date accessed December 22, 2020].

Osmanov, E. E. (2014). The Madrasa of Bakhchysarai. Gasyrlar Avazy-Echo of Centuries, No. 1/2, pp. 243–250.

Osmanov, E. E. (2015). Repair works civil buildings of Bakhchisaray in late XIX - early XX centuries. Scientific Notes of V. I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University. Historical Sciences, Vol. 1 (67), No. 4, pp. 40–58.

Popov, A. N. (1888). The second educational field trip of the Simferopol gymnasium students to Bakhchysarai and its suburbs. Simferopol: Tauride Governorate Printing House, 131 p.

Repnikov, N. I. (1940). Supplements for the archaeological map of the Crimean highlands. Copy of the manuscript from the archives of the Leningrad Department of the Institute of Archaeology. Fund No. 10, File No. 10, 387 p.

Sargsyan, T. E. (2006). On the Armenian spiritual and cultural centers of Bakhchysarai (17th to 19th century). In: Vishnevskaya, Ye. B. (ed.) 6th Tauride Scientific Readings. Simferopol: Evrostroy, pp. 136–142.

Shchegoleva, T. (2005). The Karaites of Crimea: history and modern state of the community. Jews of Eurasia, No. 1 (8).

Troinitsky, N. A. (ed.) (1904). Tauride Governorate. First General Census of the Russian Empire, 1897. Vol. 41. [online] Available at: https://www.prlib.ru/item/436681 [Date accessed December 19, 2020].

Zasypkin, B. N. (1927). Monuments of Crimean Tatar architecture. Crimea, No. 2 (4), p. 148.

Zaytsev, I. V. (2015). Islam in the Crimea in the 14th-18th centuries. Golden Horde Review, No. 2, pp. 103–128.

Zhuryari, I. (1890). Journey to the nearest surroundings of Bakhchysarai. Bulletin of the Tauride Research and Archive Commission, No. 9, pp. 108–111.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.23968/2500-0055-2021-6-3-42-48

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.




     

ISSN: 2500-0055