Derbend-nâmeh or the History of Derbend. 441 
the greater part of his army to aid the Ottomans *. These princes passed nearly 6 years, 
partly in Derbend, partly in Daghistan and some of them were occasionally engaged in 
war in Shirwän and other places on the frontiers. 
Another period .of repeated intercourse between the Crimea and Daghistan, was 
about the middle of the XIL century of the Hijret or from 1734 to 1742, which date 
is subsequent to that in which the earliest information concerning the existence of the 
Derbend-nâmeh appeared in Europe, and therefore does not answer our purpose. Between 
these two periods we have been unabie to discover any expedition of the Crimeans through 
or into eastern and southern Daghistan. 
Thus we may positively assert, that the Khan meant by Bayer was Semiz Muham- 
med Gherai Khan, and that the Er appearance of the Derbend- nâmeh, therefore was 
about the close of the XVI century. 
The following cireumstances may also be taken as a further illustration of the 
subject. One of the brothers of the Khan, named Ghézi-Gherai, who had assisted in 
these expeditions, and who ascended the throne of the Crimea four years after the un- 
fortunate end of his brother; and who is numbered by Sayid-Riza among his seven pla- 
nets, is known in history for his love of learning. He took great pleasure in the society 
of Sheikhs, Ulemä and philosophers; he was a great lover of poetry and was himself à 
Poet.$ Twelve of his beautiful odes, with two letters in verse and à third in prose in 
elegant Turkish, and, some of his verses in the Djaghatai language, are quoted by 
Sayid Riza in his history (sce Jul ce) p. ir — 1ir). This Prince having been pre- 
sent at the expeditions of the Ottomans in Aderbijän and Daghistan must certainly have 
been acquainted with many learned men of those countries, or at least with such ,as pro- 
fessed his religion. We do not doubt therefore that his love of learning might have 
inclined Muhammed Awabi to begin his treatise on Derbend. | 
$ I have followed Assab-’us-sayiär (see there, p. [+] and [ef#). Ha Mes says in one place, that after 
Mustafa - Pasha quitted Georgia the chief authority over the Ottoman troops in Daghistan was given to Mu- 
hammed Gherai, but that this Khan after the captivity of his brother Adil-Gherai, would by no means con- 
sent to remain in Daghistan (see Hist. de l’Empire Ottom. T. VIIL. p. 112); in another place he says, that the 
reinforcement from Muhammed-Gherai, who. had now been a year on the throne of the Crimea, (here he 
speaks of the Khan of the Crimea for the first time.) was led by Adil-Ghcrai, who soon after, during an enga- 
gement fell into the hands of the Persians (see ibid. p. 94 — 95.): — Where was the Khan himself at that 
time? — In à third place he says: that Muhammed Gherai quitted Baghdjeserai the 26. of June 1579 at the 
head of 2000 Tartars and in a month’s time reached the walls of Derbend, where he only remained till the 
winter, and having left his brother Ghâzi-Gherai there, himself returned to the Crimea etc. (ibid. p. 98—99.). 
This signifies that the Khan was a second time in Derbend. — Sayid-Risa says positively, that when the 
Khan was invited a second time to Daghistan, he sent one of his sons Muräâd-Gherai in his place; and the 
thurd time he did not obey at all. (see (ol) ec») p- 1ep*). 
$ His Takhallus, or poetical name, is Ghazäi i. e. warrior for religion. 
—sS$e— 
