Hamirza Qeytuqo

Hamirza Qeytuqo (, ), was a Kabardian prince and the eldest of the four sons of Grand Prince Aslanbek Qeytuqo.

Biography Since the Circassians didn't write their own history and all information comes from external sources, details about Hamirza's youth are mostly unknown. As the eldest son, he attended the Grand Council of Kabardia alongside his father Aslanbek. When their father died in 1746, Hamirza and his brothers inherited part of the family lands. During these conflicts, Prince Kurghoqo Kanchoqo of Lesser Kabardia accused Hamirza of forcibly taking his slave, Biley. Hamirza, however, claimed that Biley had come to him of his own free will. Biley had sought refuge with Hamirza after killing Prince Mirzabek Chepaniqo, and in return, a ransom of 60 slaves was paid. In 1753, noble warriors loyal to Hamirza were sent to protect the territories of the Abazins, who were their vassals. When the Russian captain Barkovski complained about the presence of Kabardians in the lands of the Abazins, who were loyal to the Crimean Khan, Prince Hamirza replied that the princes were not on the side of the Crimea, but were there to protect the Abazins, who were loyal to them. In January 1764, he attended a meeting held in Greater Kabardia to discuss the Mozdok issue. As a result, a letter signed by Hamirza, opposing the Russian claim to Mozdok and stating that the escaped peasants should be returned, reached St. Petersburg with the embassy in June. At the beginning of 1773, the Kabardians, led by Misost Bematiqo, began preparing for an attack against Mozdok. Representatives sent by Misost Bematiqo and Hamirza Qeytuqo offered an alliance against Russia to Devlet Giray, who had just been appointed in Istanbul as the new Crimean Khan, in opposition to Sahib Giray, who had signed a peace treaty with the Russians.

Seven Months' War The most important battle he took part in was the Seven Months' War. Russia started building the fortified in 1777, which took over Kabardia’s most important pastures and plateaus in north. Almost the entire population was economically affected by the line. Despite the strong demands of the Kabardian princes, the line was not removed. Bematiqo and Hamirza became the main organizers of the war and took part in the national council held on March 29, 1779. While some of their most important lands had also fallen into Russian hands. During the council, Hamirza was chosen as the commander of one of the three main armies. His cousin Yelbezduqo was also chosen to be responsible for intelligence affairs.

On June 5, 1779, Hamirza divided his army of approximately 6,000 into three and simultaneously attacked the reinforcement units trying to join General Yakobi, Yakobi's camp, and the Pavlovsk Fortress, then retreated. After a failed attack on Pavlovsk, on June 8, they began to lay siege to Marinskaya fortress. During the siege, with the arrival of allied forces, they increased the pressure on the fortress.

Legacy Hamirza is mentioned in almost all folk songs about the Seven Months' War, especially in the song 'Night Assault' written by Tawqo Tlepsihqo, the chief bard of the Qeytuqo dynasty.

In one of the folk songs he was mentioned as follows: