Shahghali

Mausoleum of Shahgali in Kasimov (1555).

Shahghali (also Shah Ghaly or Shah Ali, Tatar: Şahğäli, pronounced [ʃæɣæˈli], or Şäyex Ğäli, [ʃæˈjex ɣæˈli]) (1505–1567) was khan of Qasim in 1516-1519, 1535–1546, 1546–1551, 1552–1567 and Kazan in 1518-1521, 1546, 1551-1552.

Shahgali was the grandson of Keche Moxammad khan, son of Shayex Allahiar (Şäyex Allahiär) khan, and older brother of Cangali. After his father's death, he became khan of Qasim Khanate in 1516 at the age of 11. In 1519 he was invited to Kazan throne by Bulat Shirin's (Bulat Şirin) group of Qarachi. This transfer was supported by Vasili III of Russia, because Qasim khans were usually allied with Muscovy. In 1521, he was banished from Kazan by noblemen for his pro-Muscovy policies. He was replaced with Sahib Giray who was generally hostile towards Muscovy, and had ties with Crimean Khanate and Ottoman Empire. In later years, Shahgali gained and lost the throne of Kazan several time, as Muscovy and Kazan Qarachi struggled for control of Khanate. In the periods when Kazan throne was occupied by other people, he returned to Qasim.

Shahgali participated in the Russian sieges of Kazan in 1537, 1540, 1541, 1548, 1552. In 1559 he participated in the Livonian War, as commander of the Russian avant-garde, and besieged Narva and Pärnu. In 1562 he defended Polock and in 1564-1565 defended Velikie Luki on the Russian border.

See also

• List of Kazan khans