Kurgoqo Atajuq (; ; ?–1709/1710) was the Kabardian Supreme Prince between 1695 and 1709 (or 1710).

Biography

Rise to power

After the death of his uncle Kazıy Misost (1672-1695), he was elected grand prince of Kabarda. He fought a long struggle with the Crimean Khanate. Banner of the Principality of Hatekhushuqo

Banner of the Principality of Hatekhushuqo

Struggle against Crimean raids

In 1699, the Crimean detachment under the command of Kalga Shahbaz-Giray invaded Circassia. In December of the same year, Kalga Shahbaz-Giray was killed in Besleney, in the home of the Kabardian prince Timur-Bulat. In 1700–1701, the Crimean detachments led by Kaplan Giray I attacked Circassia and Kabarda twice. In 1703, the army of the Crimeans and their allies under the leadership of Kalga Gazi Giray occupied Kabarda. Tatars and Nogais engaged in robbery and extortion against Circassians. A general uprising broke out in Kabarda. In 1707, the Crimean Tatars launched a new raid on Kabarda. The Tatars took thousands of cattle, but were defeated by the Kabardians. During the reign of Kurgoko Atajuq, the famous

Battle of Kanzhal The Kanzhal War () or Crimean-Circassian War of 1708 was military conflict in 1708 fought between 7,000 Circassians led by Kurgoqo Atajuq and 30,000-100,000 Crimean Tatars led by Qaplan I Giray, which resulted in Circassian victory. It played a b ...

(1708) took place, in which the Kabardians defeated a large Tatar-Turkish army led by

Qaplan I Giray Qaplan I Giray was three times khan of the Crimean Khanate. He was the son of Selim I Giray and thus one of the six brothers who ruled for most the period from 1699 to 1743. During his first reign he was defeated by the Kabardians. His second r ...

.ветер, Восточный. "Bloody Kanzhal. Reasons and course of the battle". This event was of great importance in the history of Circassia and the entire history of the North Caucasus. Many episodes of the Kanzhal battle have been preserved in Adyghe folklore in the form of legends and historical-epic songs in which Kurgoqo Atajuq is the main character. The Kabardians under his command defended their homeland and preserved their political independence. The war increased Kabardian authority in the Caucasus. In 1710, the Crimean Tatars and Nogais launched a new raid on Circassia and Kabarda, capturing large numbers of cattle and horses.

Death

Grand Prince Kurgoqo Atajuq died in 1709 (or early 1710).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Atajuq, Kurgoqo 1709 deaths Circassian nobility 17th-century births Year of birth missing