Desht-i Kipchak Turks on the Way to Pilgrimage (Hajj) in the XIII-XVII. Centuries

Abstract

Islam started to spread in Desht-i Kipchak region in the time of Itil Bulgars but its certain settlement goes back to Golden Horde period. The biggest problem that the Desht-i Kipchak Turks faced while practicing the Islamic rules was the enduring and difficult pilgrimage travel. Despite all harness, Moslems of Desht-i Kipchak including the statesmen, tried to fulfil the Hajj duty. But widely, the Khans went on the pilgrimage to Mecca after they quit the affairs of the state. In fact, in the world of Islam if a ruler went on the Hajj, this meant his renouncing of his throne. The way to Hajj, which Moslems of Desht-i Kipchak followed for pilgrimage passed from Astrahan city. But this route was closed by Russians after the occupaition of Astrahan in 1556. The cause for the closing of this route by Russians is explained as follows; to prevent the joining of Nogays and Crimean Tatars, to collect the pass tax, to block the expansion of undesirable political opinions and the Otoman acitivities in Russian lands. The exertions of the Crimean Khans in order to secure the route and reestablish the Turkish sovereignty again, failed. But in the second half of the XVIII. Century, in the time of Catherina II., the Russian policy towards the Moslems was softened. After this time, with the joint efforts of Russian governors and Moslem ecclesiastics, Hajj visits of Moslems was put in order.