Hacı I Giray

Hacı I Giray, Melek Haji Girai (Crimean Tatar: Bır Hacı Geray, بیر-حاجى كراى‎; Melek Hacı Geray, ملک خاجى كراى‎; died 1466) was the founder and the first ruler of the Crimean Khanate. He is sometimes referred to as Hacı Devlet Giray or Devlet Hacı Giray. He is said to have been an 11th generation descendant of Tughril, Khan of the Keraites whose descendants intermarried with the Genghisids (Mongol imperial clan of Genghis Khan and his successors).

Crimean Tatar national flag with golden Taraq Tamğa

He ascended the throne after a long struggle against the khans of the Golden Horde for the independence of the Crimean Khanate in which he was supported by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. While some sources state he came to power as early as 1428 or 1434, the first coins of Haci Giray are not earlier than 1441.

Hacı I Giray founded the Giray Dynasty of the Crimean Khans, and introduced the new state symbol: "taraq tamğa" or "the trident of Girays", which is derived from the scales insignia of the Golden Horde. He established his residence in Salaçıq village (in the vicinity of modern Bakhchisaray near the Çufut Qale fortress). A contemporary European source, The Chronicle of Dlugosz, described him as a person of outstanding personal values and a perfect governor.

According to some historians in 1456 he was deposed for a short period by the revolt of his own son Hayder, but was restored that the same year.

Hacı I Giray is buried in the Durbe in Salaçıq in Bakhchisaray.

Khans of Crimea
15th century	Hacı I Giray Hayder Nur Devlet Meñli I Giray
16th century	Mehmed I Giray Ğazı I Giray Saadet I Giray İslâm I Giray Sahib I Giray Devlet I Giray Mehmed II Giray İslâm II Giray Saadet II Giray Ğazı II Giray Fetih I Giray Ğazı II Giray
17th century	Toqtamış Giray Selâmet I Giray Canibek Giray Mehmed III Giray İnayet Giray Bahadır I Giray Mehmed IV Giray İslâm III Giray Adil Giray Selim I Giray Murad Giray Hacı II Giray Saadet III Giray Safa Giray Devlet II Giray
18th century	Ğazı III Giray Qaplan I Giray Devlet III Giray Saadet IV Giray Meñli II Giray Fetih II Giray Selâmet II Giray Selim II Giray Arslan Giray Halim Giray Qırım Giray Selim III Giray Maqsud Giray Devlet IV Giray Qaplan II Giray Sahib II Giray Şahin Giray Bahadır II Giray
Khan topics Crimean Khanate Giray dynasty

See also

• Crimean Tatars
• List of Turkic states and empires

External links

• The Palace of the Crimean Khans