Tatars - Kazan Sovereignty - Kazan Tataristan - from Hayat

Tatars

In the past, the name "Tatar" was generally given to the community composed of different tribes and races which formed Genghis Khan's Army. Among these there were Turks, as well as Mongols and Tunguz, who were related to them due to their being of Ural-Altay race. Later on, Kazan Turks were also erroneously called "Tatar."

After Genghis's Army was dispersed, a part of Tatars stayed in Russia, a part remained in China. The word "Tatar" originated from the name of a tribe called 'Tata" (Dada) living in northeast Mongolistan during the 5th Century. During the Czar's reign the Russians gave this name to nearly all the tribes of Turkish origin, whereas after the Revolution they gave this name to the Kazan Turks. Likewise, in Turkey the said name is generally given to Turks residing in Crimea and its environment.

(Taken from Hayat Encyclopedia)


Kazan Sovereignty

With its Capitol Kazan, it is an old Turkish State. Because of its Capitol, it was called 'Kazan Sovereignty." In 1437 it got separated from the "Altin Ordu" (Golden Horde, East Europe) Sovereignty. The State was in power until 1556, i.e., it existed for 119 years.

It was located in the old Bulgarian zone, on the watercourse of the Volga River, which forms an important passageway between East and Northeast Europe. It was bordered by the Astrakhan Sovereignty in the south, Nogay Sovereignty in the east and southeast, Moscow State in the west, and by the vast plains inhabited by the Finnish-Ugur tribes in the north. Bulgarian Turks constituted the original population. Besides these, there were also people of Mordva, Chirmish and Finnish-ugur races.

Ulug Muhammed (1437-1445) son of Jelaletdin, one of the "Altin Ordu" rulers, was the founder of Kazan Sovereignty

Ulug Muhammed, being the Ruler of Altin Ordu during 1426-1436, led a successful diplomacy against Egypt and Moscow, but he was not able to do away with the coup d'etat directed by Timur against the State of Altin Ordu. During the internal disorders and agitations caused by various tribes and clans he lost his throne in 1436. First, he took refuge in Crimea and then in the Moscow State. The Ruler of Moscow, Vasiliy, for fear that their good relations with Altin Ordu might spoil, sent an Army against Muhammed. In spite of the fact that he succeeded in defeating the Russians, Muhammed did not stay in this region, but came to the spot at which he was going to make a Capitol, that is Kazan. In Kazan, he began making efforts for the purpose of being recognized as the Ruler of Altin Ordu. By bringing his Army up to the doors of Moscow, he defeated Vasiliy in 1439. During the second battle in Moscow, in which his sons, Mahmut, Kasim and Yakub also took part, the Russian Army was defeated near Suzdal, and Vasiliy was made prisoner-of-war (1445). Upon the acceptance of Vasiliy of all the stipulations put forth by Muhammed, Vasiliy was set free. According to the Articles of Agreement, Russia was to pay huge indemnities. Moreover, Moscow, heretofore, being connected with Altin Ordu, would, from now on, be united with Kazan and, consequently, was obligated to execute its duties towards that State. In order to have the assurance that the items of the said Agreement were accomplished, Muhammed appointed Kazan Agents (Officials) to be stationed at the Russian State Center and at the Provinces. Also, according to the Agreement reached, he gave the region on the River Oka within the Moscow territory to his son Kasim (Kasim Sovereignty), whereby availing himself of pursuing Moscow's internal affairs. His aim was to collect and unite the scattering Altin Ordu Sovereignty around a powerful administrative center, but he died prior to the realization of his aim. His elder son Mahmud (1445-1462) became the Kazan Khan. During Mahmud's ruling, the State was in peace and comfort. After his death, his elder son Halil, took his place. His sovereignty was short-lived. Later, his brother Ibrahim became the Head of State (1467-1479). Some of the elders and the State of Moscow supported Muhammed's brother Kasim. Kasim opened a rebellion against Ibrahim. Kazan and Kasim Sovereignties became one another's enemies. Due to this conduct of the Russians, Ibrahim started a frontal attack. He plundered the neighborhood of Galich, captured the City of Hilin (Viyatka). In the year 1469, Moscow's campaign against Kazan ended with a defeat. In the same year, the Russians coming very close to Kazan, retreated as a result of an agreement made between them. This agreement was in force for 8 years. The Russians, wishing to recapture the City of Hilin after 1478, renewed their attacks. After the death of Ibrahim, his elder son Ali (or Ilham) was enthroned (1419-1484). His mother, Fatima, was Ibrahim's first wife. Muhammed Emin, the son of Ibrahim's second wife Nur Sultan, was against Ali's monarchy. Together with his brother, Abdullatif, he quitted Kazan and went to Moscow. The campaign prepared by the Russians against Kazan in 1482, was this time prevented by diplomatic means. However, Ali being dethroned in 1484, by the approval of the Russians, Muhammed Emin was put in his place. His ruling in confusion and disorder was short-lived by Ali's coming back to power in 1485. However, the internal disorder continued. Wishing to take advantage of this situation, the Russians sent an army against Kazan in 1487. Kazan was besieged, but due to a strong defense, the Russians began to withdraw their army. Just at that moment, there was a coup d'etat in Kazan and Ali was dethroned. The Russians took over Kazan . Ali and his supporters were severely punished. Muhammed Emin came to power again by the support of the Russians. In this was, Moscow became free of being bound to Kazan. Muhammed Emin did all that the Russians desired of him. Once, he even went to war on the side of the Russians (1490). On the other hand, the Kazan people rioted because of the Russian pressure. With Kul Ahmet, Orak Sadr and Argish as their leaders, they enthroned a West Siberian Ruler, Ibak's son Mamuk (1495-1496). Upon this Muhammed Emin fled to Moscow. Kul Ahmet turning against Mamuk dethroned him. Muhammed Emin's brother Abdullatif (1496-1502), also by the support of the Russians, took his place. However, not proving to be an instrument to the wishes of the Russian, he was dethroned and exiled. Friend of the Russians, Muhammed Emin, became the Ruler again(1502-1518). He strengthened his position by having his enemies put to death. The Russian Czar, Ivan III, had lost his old power, Muhammed Emin wanted to take advantage of this opportunity, but due to a certain misunderstanding that popped up, he opened was against Moscow. He captured Nijni Novgorod. During the years that followed, the Kazan Army made many accomplishments. Peace, called "The Eternal Peace" was signed between the two States by the Ambassador of Kazan, Sait Shah Huseyin.

Muhammed Emin had no children. After his death, Ulug Muhammed's family line came to an end in Kazan. ulug Muhammed's enemy, the son of Kuchuk Muhammed's grandson, Shah Gali (Ruler of the Kasim State) was brought to power by the support of the Russians. Kazan became dependent on Russia. However, the friendly terms between the Crimean Khan Sahib-Giray and the Russians being spoiled, he captured Kazan and repelled the Russians. Thus this was the beginning of the Giray (Gerey) family. The Kazan troops, under the command of Sahib-Giray(1521-1524) with the help of the Crimean Army, advanced over the River Oka towards Moscow. Vasiliy III fled, leaving his throne. As a result of the Agreement made between the two States, Moscow became dependent on Crimea, with the obligation of payment of certain taxes. On the other hand, the Kazan State for fear of being left alone against the enemy, sent envoys to Kanuni Sultan Suleyman. Kazan accepted the Osmanli domination with an agreement made between them. This situation was made known to the Russian State. Upon this, their hostile relations with Kazan became worse. During the ruling of Safa Giray (1524-1531), who had succeeded Sahib-Giray, the Russian Army in which Shah Gali also took part, was defeated by the Kazan Army commanded by Atabey Talish and Oruch Bey. During the years following this event, the Russians, realizing that they cannot attain any success by way of war started causing disorder and confusion in Kazan by way of propaganda. Shah Gali's son, Jan Gali was brought to power (1531-1533), in place of Safa Giray. After a short period, Jan Gali was killed. Safa Giray became the Ruler again (1533-1546). He made several successful raids against the Russians. He took over Nijni Novgorog. However, not being supported by the influenced people, he was dethroned. The ruling of Shah Gali who took his place, lasted only a month. Shah Gali fled to Moscow, after Safa Giray returned to Kazan. During the period of his third sovereignty (1546-1549), Safa Giray took over the internal affairs into his own hands. He punished the officials who were pro-Russians. After long struggles, he succeeded in bringing about a national unity in Kazan. His son Otemish succeeded him (1549-1551). Being only 3 years old at the time, his mother Suyumbike administered Kazan on his behalf.

During the years 1548-1550, the attacks made by the Russians to Kazan were not successful. during the ruling of Metropolit Makariy (1542-1552), the Russians tried to spread Christianity in Kazan. In 1551 the Russians set up a fortified locality, at the site where the Stream Zuye pours into the Volga River, and piled stocks of arms and provisions there. Thus, the possibilities were born for hitting the Kazan Armies from behind. Shah Gali supported by the Russians and the Kasim people, entered Kazan and became Khan (1551). During this period the financial position of Kazan was in a bad state. Ways and means were sought to come to terms with the Russians. The stipulations of the Agreement were very unfavorable. The Russians left only the left side of the Volga River to Shah Gali. Half of the territory of Kazan was usurped by the Russians. This state of affairs became unbearable for the Kazan people. Furthermore, the Russians demanded that the administration of Kazan be given to the Russian regent. This wish was not accepted. During the start of the internal turmoil, Shah Gali quitted the City and passed over to the Russian side. The Kazan people enthroned Yadigar Muhammed, the Astrakhan Prince (1552), who at that time was among the Nogays. Yadigar, descendant of the Timur Kutlug lineage, was the grandson of the Saray Khan, Said Ahmed, and the son of the Astrakhan Khan Kasim. The new Ruler, strengthened by the help of Chapkun Bey, openly was against the Russians. Due to the rioting of the people under the Russian administration in the mountainous region, and the coming forward of the Crimeans, the Russians retreated. However, being reinforced at Zuye, the Russians besieged Kazan. After street fightings, which continued for days, the Kazan people were defeated. Yadigar Khan and his followers were made prisoners-of-war. The city was plundered and its inhabitants were put to sword (1552).

The Kazan people did not stop struggling. In 1556, they began making raids from all sides against the Russians. Mamish Berdi Bey prepared his Army for a combat at the Galim Fortress, which was located upon a high hill "Sundir", on the right shore of the Volga River. The brother of Suyumbike, Ali Ekrem, son of Yusuf, descendant of the Nogay Family was enthroned as the Kazan Khan. Ali Ekrem died during the war against the Russians at Galim (1556). Upon Mamish Berdi Bey's becoming a prisoner-of-war, Kazan was recaptured by the Russians.

it says here: (Taken from Large Dictionary & Encyclopedia)

It was only on October 2, 1552, Ivan the Terrible had captured Kazan. He succeeded for the first time in history, to include Russia among the large States. Russia is protecting this characteristic quality for more than 400 years now. In the Kazan State, which was the first Turkish Territory usurped by the Russians, the survival of Turkish nationalism can be reckoned as a miracle peculiar to the Turkish race. The reason being that a terrible Russian cruelty continued for 400 years. However, due to the fact that this region was adorned with Turkish history of a thousand years, and because it possessed a rooted culture, it preserved itself from being exterminated. Kazan was one of the centers of Turkish culture, and up to the present date, trained and educated distinctive personage. The Kazan dialect is one of the important literary languages, and it has a rich literature.

now it say here: (Taken from Hayat Encylopedia)

Kazan

(this is very dated, statistically wrong, but still somewhat relevant)

Kazan is the Capitol of the Autonomous Republic of the Volga Tatars in the United Soviet Republic of Russia.

With its population of 711,000, Kazan has a University, Chemistry and Metallurgy Industry (railway and stream barges), and it is also the starting point for the gas pipeline stretching out to Gorkiy.

History: At a spot, a little further from the present day location of the City, the Bulgarians, descendants of Huns, after fleeing from the Khazars (Caspian Sea inhabitants) built a city called Bolgany (7th Century).

The Mongols destroyed Bolgany in 1236, and by the order of Sayun Han, built the City of Kazan in 1257.

However, the said City was destroyed by Vasiliy Dimitriyevich, Prince of Moscow (1391). Later it was restored by Mashmutek Han (1441), and became the Capitol of Kazan Sovereignty. It had disconnected itself from the "Altin Ordu" State and with its fairs and markets became a famous commercial center.

Czar Vasiliy III (1505-1533), failing to conquer the City, caused its bankruptcy by establishing the Makaryev Fair, along the shore of Volga, which later was transferred to Novgorod.

Ivan IV, after building Sviyajak on the opposite side of Kazan (1551), and as a result of a long besiege, took over the City, put the inhabitants to the sword and replaced them by the Russians (1552). Some of the Turks migrated to Bashkirstan, Ural and Siberia. The Finnish-Ugur tribes were faced with the same treatment.

Mosques, elementary and high schools belonging to the Turkish Community dwelling in Zuye were destroyed by Feodor, son of Czar Ivan (1592).

During the Stenka Razin Rebellion (1668-1671), the Kazan Turks played an important role.

Until the 17th Century, the administration of Kazan was in the hands of a regent, possessing a special seal. In Moscow, there was a separate office in charge of Kazan's affairs. Kazan was made a province in 1708. The Russians applied "duty-service/forced labor" system called "lashman" to the Turks (1718). After the rebellion, some facilities were brought about for the Kazan Turks, and regency was re-established in Kazan (1781). This rebellion was the last struggle made by the Kazan Turks for their independence. The uprisings, thereafter, remained regional.

After the throning of Katherina II, among the commissioners in charge of preparing new laws and regulations, there were also 27 Kazan delegates. The following were the desires of the Kazan delegates: Freedom in religion, Reduction in taxes, The right of using their mother tongue at the Courts, Judges to be chosen by the people, Freedom in commerce, Turkish dominant members to have equal rights with the Russian ones. After the State recognized Islam as a religion (1785), permission was given to construct a mosque, a small mosque and a school. A Canonical Court was formed, headed by a religious leader (1788).

At the end of the 18th Century, a few leather factories were opened in Kazan. The number of these in 1812 was 18. The ensuing economical development led to the birth of new ideas, and a wish to increase educational institutions. Ebun-Nasr Kursavi (1765-1813), after proclaiming freedom of mind, opposed mysticism and hierarchy and opened the door for innovation. Going along the same path, Shihabetdin Merjani (1818-1889), spread these ideas in the High School opened in Kazan. The innovation activity continued during the periods of Huseyin Feyzhan (1821-1866), and Kayyum Nasiri (1824-1902). As a result of the community joining in the new social establishments, national principles took the place of religious principles. Ismail Gasprali (1851-1914), publicized this as "Unity in language, Opinion and Duty."

After the Revolution of 1905, there were new developments. With the Congresses of 1905, 1906, and 1907, the "Union of all Moslems of Russia" came to being. As a result of the union of all Turks, their representation at the National Assembly was made possible. At the Congress of July 22, 1917, the autonomy for the Moslem Turk-Tatars in Russian inland and Siberia was announced. The same year, the National Assembly accepted the Constitution. The National Assembly chose a National Administrative Committee consisting of the following ministries of 5 members each: Religious Affairs, Educational Affairs and Financial Affairs. The said National Administrative Committee, headed by Sadri Maksudi (Arsal) was abolished after the Bolsheviks came to power.

Fine Arts: Seven kilometres away from Kazan, graves belonging to the bronze and iron eras were found. In the past, Kazan was surrounded by walls of timber. Outside of the walls of 1800 metres long, wide and deep ditches were dug. The "Khan" Palace, being inside the fortress was destroyed in 1807. The most beautiful monument in the city is the "Khan Mesjidi"(Suyum Bike Minaresi.) It has seven stories and its height is seventy five meters. Adjacent to it, there is a mosque, which was later turned into a church. "The Mausoleum of the Khans" was also near it. The largest of Kazan's mosques is the "Kulu Sherif" Mosque, with its eight minarets. Adjacent to the mosque, there was a high school. Belonging to recent times, is the Turk Islam Monument "Merjani Mosque" (1766), as well as the "Apanay" and "Yunus" Mosques, which were built at a later date. The Central Museum of Tataristan contains collections of the Volga Peoples' Ethnography, Archeology and Arts. In the State University, established in 1804 Leo Tolstoy, Lenin and his brother Alexander Ulyanoff, and Rikoff have been educated.

(Taken from Large Dictionary & Encyclopedia)

(Address: Meydan YayinEvi

Capaloglu Sultan Mektebi Sokak 23-25

Istanbul, Turkey)

Tataristan

Tataristan is located in northeast Europe, in the region between the Volga River and its branch Kama. A stream called Vyatka branches off from the Kama towards the North. The land consists of a vast plain with the elevation not exceeding 500 metres. The yearly average rainfall is never more than half a meter. The yearly average temperature is 3ºC. In the North, the country is under similar cold climatic conditions prevailing in Eastern Europe. In the North the country is covered by forests; in the south by steppes. The trees that grow in the forests lose their leaves in the winter. The inhabitants make their living by stock-breeding, agriculture, by growing flax and other kinds of industry.

Tataristan is a Turkish country for 1500. (?) On its East is Bashkurdistan, an Independent Turkish Republic; on its North is Udmurtistan, an Independent Finnish Republic; on its South is the Kuybishev Province, which the Turks call "Samars". These territories are the first Turkish lands, which the Russians seized in the middle of the 16th Century. During this period the Volga (Idil) Turks have been able to safeguard their nationality and culture, despite the unbelievable constraint and pressure. Kazan is still one of the most important Turkish cultural centers outside of Turkey. According to the population census in the Tataristan Republic made by the Russians in April 1959, it has not been publicized out of 2,847,000 inhabitants how many are Turks and how many are Russians. Prior to World War II two-thirds of the population were Turks.

Its University, established in 1805, is one of the most important Turkology Centers in Russia. Kazan is the most important stations on the railway for trains coming from Moscow and Gorkiy and going through Svedlovsk to Siberia.

This article is from my stack of Tatar Related papers, clippings, articles and photocopies.

This article was originally titled "Tatars Kazan Sovereignty Kazan Tataristan

Information obtained from hayat Encyclopedia by Salih & Shemsiye Apakay

Translated from Turkish

(This is copied word-for-word)

Salih Absi and Shemsiye Apa worked so hard to help us maintain our culture so far from our homeland.

Bless their souls.

Religious Books - Unofficial SF Public Library - Tatar Language Department

These books are falling apart and needed to be digitized or they would be lost forever. This first book seems to have been printed in St. Petersburg in 1903 and later sold in Kazan in 1905. I found inserted inside a handwritten Japanese Business Card, meaning that this Jet-Set Book has made a Global Journey in the last one hundred five years.

This book may help people to understand how Tatars living so far away from Tatarstan can maintain their culture, and how being Muslim is an important part of being Tatar.

I understand that many older Tatar books have been lost or destroyed during the Soviet Period. I was also told that some of the best history about Tatars reside in Libraries outside of Tatarstan, such as in Baghdad, Istanbul and Egypt. Is there a larger Tatar library that's open to contributions?

download "Kazan 1905" here: http://www.mediafire.com/view/?4txn5u9au5ve8vi

This book was sent from my Ebe from Ankara. She would periodically send religious booklets and Bayram postcards, many with religious writings and such, lots of blessings. I find it helpful in my collection of tools to learn to read Arabic Script. It's written in Turkish.

When I read a Turkish Novel, I don't understand all the words, but when I read Turkish books like this, I understand much more. I've included a sample page (page 11).

I recognize the handwriting on the cover as from my Ebe. It says "Bismillah Ilrahman Irrahim".

Seeing her writing makes my miss her. This book is rotting like the others. I think it's printed on magic paper that dissolves in water!

download Kuran Dili Complete Turkish here: http://www.mediafire.com/view/?miyvzzldzk9uhrw

Here's another small book, written in Turkish. It has illustrations that show you the different positions and procedures of Namaz. It is written with Children in mind, but quite useful to all
download Namaz Hocasi book here: http://www.mediafire.com/view/?od8mj6cmqi4v0mx

Mosaiqa Records - Silk Road Music

We were just lounging here at the lounge and were turned on to this site. The folks at Mosaiqa Records have started a webpage that's worth a visit. There's only one track there now, but we'll keep our eyes and ears open for more. I like what I've heard so far. We're hoping they'll have an extensive Tatar section. There are sites that sell Tatar Music, but they tend to be written in Russian, and don't use paypal or other pay services that we can trust. I don't know too many people that would enthusiastically send their credit card information off to Russia.

http://www.mosaiqa.com/

Pilmen - Pilmeni - Pilmenler

Here's another from that TimeLife 1969 Russian Foods book. There's nothing more nourishing on a cold day. I like it with Soy Sauce and Sprinkled with chopped Dill Weed and Black Pepper.
Typing these words causes salivation.

I also like to make "Martian Spaceship" variation of Pilmen with two circles of dough rather than one. Adding a touch of fresh Ginger Root Chineses up the flavor and adds a sharpness too. The recipe says to serve with Butter or Sour Creme. I've never seen this served with Sourcreme, but that's not illegal, I suppose.

The porkfat isn't something we'd be using either.

Beef Stroganoff

I've been to more than one Tatar Banquet here where Beef Stroganoff was the main entree. I love it, and with our variation, we serve it on steamed white rice. I dream of a machine that you can walk up to in your kitchen that provides an endlessly regenerating supply of Beef Stroganoff. The first Tatar girl I know that became vegetarian, her Ebe says, "Tilergensingme!". She's also the first Tatar Girl I know with a tattoo. Her Ebe's comments about that are worthy of a Comedy Film

Offering High Quality Meat is an essential part of Expressing Tatar Hospitality.

Baklazhannaia Ikra - Poor Man's Caviar

This says it's from the Caucasus, but I'd think there are no less than a dozen countries that would lay claim to this delicious food. I love it when my kitchen smells like this.

this is from a timelife Russian foods book 1969

Tatarstan National Anthem

I'm sorry. Gafu Itegez. This is the best copy of this I could find.

But here is another song about Tatarstan

Min Yaratam, Sine Tatarstan

МИН ЯРАТАМ СИНЕ ТАТАРСТАН
Р.Андреев көе Р.Рәкыйпов сүзләре

Мин яратам сине Татарстан
Ал таңнарың өчен яратам.
Күк күкерәп яшен яшнәп яуган,
Яңгырларың өчен яратам.
Мин яратам сине Татарстан
Горур халкың өчен яратам.
Җан эретә торган әнкәм теле
Татар телең өчен яратам.
Мин яратам сине Татарстан
Урманнарың өчен яратам.
Тукайларың, Сәйдәшләрең өчен,
Җәлилләрең өчен яратам.

Tatars and Finland - from youtube

The Crimean Tatars are descendants of the people who inhabited the Crimean peninsula and its surroundings for over seven centuries. The majority of these were nomadic Turkic people who came to Eastern Europe with the Chingizid (Turkic-Mongolian) armies. They established the Crimean Khanate in 1400s, and fusing with the native people of peninsula, they have constituted the distinctive "Crimean Tatar" people. Crimean peninsula, today a part of Ukraine is the homeland of the Crimean Tatars, speak Kipchak Turkic language.

After the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 1783, the Crimean Tatars have largely emigrated from their homeland. Today an estimated 5 million Tatars live in diaspora, having settled in countries as Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, the US and Germany. The remaining Crimean Tatars in the homeland were deported on the 18 th of May, 1944 by the Soviet government, being unjustly accused of collaboration with the Nazis. Almost half of the Tatars have lost their lives in the process. Until today, only half of the Crimean Tatars have repatriated, the rest being unable to return to homeland due to political, and economic difficulties.

The word "Tatar" appears in the Kultigin tablets belonging to the 8 th century which were located in Mongolia today. These were the first written document of the Turkic peoples. According to the inscriptions, Tatars were one of the tribes living in the vicinity of Altai river. In the 13 th century, Tatars were said to be forcibly incorporated to the Mongol armies of Chingis Khan.

"Tartarus" in Latin refers to "the infernal regions of Roman and Greek mythology, hence Hell." The Europeans in the 13 th century mistakenly applied the term "Tartar" to Chingisid Hordes who swept through Europe and Asia.

By the 13 th century the term "Tatar" or "Tartar" was applied to all groupings of Turkic origin, such as Kipchaks, Pechenegs and Khazars, and especially to the members of the Chingizid Hordes, by Europeans. Mongol leadership of these Hordes was absorbed by the predominant Chingis Khan founded a militarized centered at Karakorum, but incorporated Turkic tribes in Central Asia, who outnumbered the Mongolians and formed the basis of his armies. Genghis Khan's son Ogodei succeeded him in 1229, and he and other descendants extended the empire from the Black Sea to the Korean Peninsula, from the Russian princedoms to the Bulgar principalities, Central and East Asia. While his grandson Kubilai Khan established his dynasty in China, and Mongolia, the Ilkhanate dynasty founded by Genghis Khan's sons established rule over nations of Iran, Iraq, Mesopotamia, India, and Persia. Batu Khan, another grandson, led the Golden Horde in the conquest of Hungary, Bulgaria, and Russia in the west as well as Central Asia. Crimea came under Mongolian-Turkic domination as a result of Batu Khan's conquests.

The Tatars of Finland are a Turkic people who espouse the Muslim faith. They number approximately 800 and form a well-established and homogeneous religious, cultural and linguistic minority. The Tatars are the oldest Muslim minority in Finland and throughout the Nordic countries. They have their historical origins in Turkey and their language belongs to the Turkic group.

During the early years of Finland's status as an autonomous Grand Duchy under the Russian Tsars, Tatars were already being employed by the Russians on the construction of the Bomarsund fortress in Åland and the Suomenlinna/Sveaborg fortress on an island off Helsinki. Most of them returned to Russia. For the ones who did not, only an Islamic cemetery in Bomarsund bears witness to their presence in Finland.

The ancestors of the present-day Tatars came to Finland from the 1870s to the mid 1920s from a group of some 20 villages in the Sergatch region on the Volga River, to the southeast of Nizhni-Novgorod, formerly Gorki. Most of them had been farmers but they settled in Finland as merchants trading in furs and textiles and chose initially to reside in Helsinki and its surrounding area. Tatars living in the city of Viipuri in Karelia resettled in Tampere and Helsinki when Karelia was ceded by Finland to the Soviet Union in 1944 as part of a peace agreement. Most Finnish Tatars continue to live in Helsinki and its surroundings.

In 1925, the first Islamic congregation (Finlandiya Islam Cemaati = Finnish Islamic Congregation) was founded. Finland was thus the first Western European country to officially recognise an Islamic congregation. An act on the freedom of religion had been adopted in 1922. Today, the congregation has mosques in Helsinki and Järvenpää. A second congregation of Tatars was established in Tampere in 1943. Non-Tatar Muslims cannot become members of the Finnish Islamic Congregation. There are Tatar Islamic cemeteries in Helsinki, Turku and Tampere.

The Tatars are fully integrated into Finnish society and they are actively engaged in Finnish economic and cultural life in a wide array of professions that includes civil servants, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, engineers and teachers. At the same time, they have succeeded in maintaining a distinct identity and in keeping the Tatar language alive by using it in family and private circles and also in their organisations. Since 1935, the Tatar Cultural Society (Finlandiya Türkleri Birligi) has organised cultural events in Tatar principally in the form of plays, folk music, folk dancing and poetry recitals.

The pride of the sports club, Yolduz, established in 1945, is its football team. Both the cultural society and the sports club operate with the support of the Islamic Congregation, which thus contributes to the maintenance of the Tatar culture and language.

From 1948 to 1969 there was a Tatar primary school (Türk Halk Mektebi) in Helsinki, which was partly subsidised by the Islamic Congregation and partly by the City of Helsinki. About half of the teaching was in Finnish and half in Tatar. Reform of the Finnish school system in the 1970s made the school unviable due to the small number of pupils and the conditions governing state subsidies. Instead, during the autumn and spring terms, after school hours, the Islamic Congregation provides regular teaching of Tatar language, culture, religion and history, with Tatar as the language of instruction. A Tatar kindergarten has existed since the 1950s. Summer courses in Tatar are now held at the Tatar Training Centre in Kirkkonummi, near Helsinki.

It is remarkable that the small group of Finnish Tatars has managed to preserve proficiency in the Tatar language for as long as five generations. The publishing activity of the Tatars was once extensive but has now ceased. Past publications include religious texts, poetry, plays, novels as well as periodicals, the earliest from 1925. The Tatar language is represented in the Finnish section (FiBLUL) of the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL). Finland considers the Tatar language to be a non-territorial language under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

The Tatars are represented on the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations, ETNO.

this was originally posted along with a Turkish Documentary on the subject by a YouTube user called "Uralic".
I'd think nobody would see it that didn't speak Turkish and it's too important.