The Crimean Khan who nearly toppled Moscow and lost it all
In short: In 1571, Devlet I Giray led a massive force that reached the gates of Moscow. While the city burned in a catastrophic fire, his ultimate goal remained elusive. His reign was defined by high-stakes gambles against Russia, internal dynastic purges, and a desperate struggle for steppe supremacy.
Devlet I Giray ascended to the Crimean throne in 1551 after a period of instability. He secured his position through ruthless consolidation: he replaced Sahib I Giray—who had defied Ottoman orders—and subsequently executed Sahib's entire immediate family. This established Devlet as a powerful, albeit controversial, figure who balanced the interests of the Crimean people with those of the Ottoman Sultanate.
His reign was characterized by constant friction with Ivan IV (the Terrible) of Russia. After the fall of Kazan in 1552 and Astrakhan in 1556, Devlet engaged in a series of ambitious military campaigns. These included attempts to seize Ryazan and raids into the North Caucasus. One notable failure occurred at Sudbishchi in 1555, where he lost two of his sons to Russian forces while attempting to intercept an army moving toward Perekop.
The climax of his career came in 1571. Exploiting a period of plague and crop failure in Russia, Devlet led 40,000 men to Moscow. While the city was destroyed by fire during his approach, he failed to achieve a decisive political victory. In 1572, he attempted a final massive offensive with 120,000 troops—including Crimeans, Nogais, and Turks—but was defeated at the Oka River. The campaign ended in disaster; despite his tactical skill, internal disobedience from his sons and Russian deception led to heavy casualties, leaving only about 5,000 to 20,000 survivors.
Devlet's legacy is complex. He was a primary ancestor of all subsequent Khans, yet he spent much of his reign navigating the impossible demands of the Ottomans—who wanted to build canals and trade routes through contested lands—and the rising military might of the Russian state. He died of the plague in 1577, leaving behind a fractured dynasty.
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