Qeytuqo Aslanbech


Aslanbech Qeytuqo or Aslanbek Kaitukin, was the Grand Prince of Kabardia between 1737 and 1746. He was the eldest son of Prince Qeytuqo Djembulatiqo. His younger brothers were Qanamet and Djembulat.
Some sources depict Aslanbech as ''"A treacherous and greedy prince, ready to resort to the most dishonest means to expand his borders"''

Biography

Aslanbech believed that the struggles between princes, lords and khans must end and the unity of the tribes should be ensured in order to gather first Kabarda and then the whole Caucasus under a state roof. He gained the support of Jabagh Qazanoqo.
In 1711, the Russian Tsar Peter I The Great sent a letter to Kabardia, knowing about the friendly relations between Kalmyks and Kabardians, he proposed for Kabarda to become a Russian subject just like the Kalmyk Khanate. In the letter he said;
“And if you become our subjects, then not only will we not demand any taxes from you, but we will also determine the annual salary to give you, as our subject Ayuka Khan receives from us and as you were previously subjects of our ancestors and received a salary from them; and we will order you to assist him, Ayuka Khan, with the Kalmyks and the Don, Yaik and Greben Cossacks”
Thus, Kabardians, Russians, and Kalmyks formed an alliance.
Aslanbech, with the help of the Russian empire, conducted several successful raids on its neighbors, including Ossetians, Chechens, Balkars, Abazins, and other North Caucasian peoples to strengthen his presence in the region.
In August of 1720, Aslanbech Qeytuqo and other Kabardian princes like Tatarkhan Bekov and Baituk Bek along with the Don Cossacks led a Campaign against the Chechen clans on lower Sunzha, complaining to the Tsar about them being enemies of Russia. Aslanbech ravaged the lands of Chechens and killed many until he had to retreat because of low supply caused by the Crimean raids on Kabarda.

[Kashkatau War]

In 1720, the Crimean-Circassian war of 1720-1726 started, complicated by the civil strife between the Anti-Crimean Kashkatau Party, which Aslanbech was a part of, and the Pro-Crimean Baksan Party.
In 1720, Saadat II Giray invaded Kabarda with 40,000 troops, demanding allegiance to the Ottoman Empire and Crimean Khanate, 4,000 jasyrs, and restitution for past losses. Pro-Crimean princes capitulated, while Kashkatau party leaders fortified Cherek Fortress.
By January 1721, Aslanbech Qeytuqo’s forces defeated the Crimean Tatars and their Baksan allies at the Nalchik River. Russia sent Artemy Volynsky to mediate, temporarily restoring peace.
From 1722 to 1724, conflicts continued. Aslanbech Qeytuqo allied with Mengli II Giray, new Khan, against the Baksan faction, but local Kabardian resistance remained strong.
By 1725–1726, Baksan party leaders and the Hatokhshoqo princes capitulated to Bakhte-Giray and Aslanbech Qeytuqo. Kabardia achieved a Kabardian victory over the Crimean Khanate and pro-Crimean Kabardians, Baksan party.
Aslanbech participated in the Russo-Turkish War of 1735-1739 in the favor of Russia. in 1739, together with the Kalmyks, he launched a counterattack against the Crimeans, and defeated them near the Laba river.
His son Hamirza and grandson Ismail were killed in 1779 while fighting against the Russians during the Seven Months' War.