Azja (also Azja, son of Tuhaj-Bej) is a fictional character in the novel ''

Fire in the Steppe ''Pan Michael'' ( pl, Pan Wołodyjowski; also translated into English as ''Sir Michael'' and ''Colonel Wolodyjowski''; literally, ''Sir Wołodyjowski'') is a historical novel by the Polish author Henryk Sienkiewicz, published in 1887. It is the ...

'' by Henryk Sienkiewicz. He is an antagonist and the rival of Michał Wołodyjowski. He's a

Tatar The Tatars ()Tatar
in the Collins English Dictionary is an umbrella term for different

who wants to kidnap

Barbara Jeziorkowska Barbara (Baśka) Jeziorkowska (later Wołodyjowska) is a fictional character of the novel ''Fire in the Steppe'' by Henryk Sienkiewicz. She is the main female protagonist, an orphan who marries Michał Wołodyjowski. In Jerzy Hoffman, Jerzy Hoffm ...

, settle some

Crimean Tatars , flag = Flag of the Crimean Tatar people.svg , flag_caption = Flag of Crimean Tatars , image = Love, Peace, Traditions.jpg , caption = Crimean Tatars in traditional clothing in front of the Khan's Palace ...

on the uninhabited regions of

Ukraine Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inv ...

to protect Poland's borders (like

Zaporozhian Cossacks The Zaporozhian Cossacks, Zaporozhian Cossack Army, Zaporozhian Host, (, or uk, Військо Запорізьке, translit=Viisko Zaporizke, translit-std=ungegn, label=none) or simply Zaporozhians ( uk, Запорожці, translit=Zaporoz ...

) and become a "Tatar

hetman ( uk, гетьман, translit=het'man) is a political title from Central and Eastern Europe, historically assigned to military commanders. Used by the Czechs in Bohemia since the 15th century. It was the title of the second-highest military co ...

" in the service of the Polish Crown. Although Azja is a fictional character, his father is a historical figure. In Jerzy Hoffman's 1969 film adaptation, Azja is portrayed by

Daniel Olbrychski Daniel Marcel Olbrychski (; born 27 February 1945) is a Polish film and theatre actor who is widely considered one of the greatest Polish actors of his generation. He appeared in 180 films and TV productions and is best known for leading roles ...

References

See also