Pshiapshoqo Qeytuqo

In folklore

The period of civil strife also coincided with repeated incursions by neighboring peoples into Kabardian territory. In his "History of the Adyghe People", Shora Nogmov recounts an invasion by the Turguts, whom Nogmov identifies as the ancestors of the modern Kalmyks, who advanced alongside the Tatars of Tarki. According to Nogmov, the Kabardian princes "Pshiapshoqo and Qidirshoqo" were initially defeated on the Malka River before regrouping and repelling the invaders near the Psygansu River. Nogmov further attributes a series of battles on the Malka, Terek, Psygansu, and Baksan rivers, culminating in a final engagement at Kashkatau, to the participation of Pshiapshoqo Qeytuqo. However, these events are considered only legends and appear to be untrue, as the Kalmyks did not arrive the North Caucasus until the early 17th century and Pshiapshoqo's life is only documented between the 1550s and 1580s, which creates chronological issues in Nogmov's narrative regarding the lifetimes of Pshiapshoqo and Temruqo.

Death

In 1576, the forces of the Lesser Nogai bey Ghazi ibn Urak were defeated by the Kabardians led by sons of Temruqo and Sholokh Tepsaruqo. Nogai forces entered Kabardia and killed many, but they were briefly defeated by the Kabardians on their return. In addition to Ghazi ibn Urak, two of his brothers and several of his sons, as well as Iman-Girey and Chebar-Murza were murdered by the Kabardian forces during one of the battles. Pshiapshoqo Qeytuqo fought on the side of the Nogais and the Crimeans, pursuing a pro-Crimean policy. According to Khotko, Pshiapshoqo, as all Nogai forces were killed, also died in the battlefield in 1576. Pshiapshoqo was stopped being mentioned in ancient charters and sources in the 1580s. His successor was his son, Qaziy Pshiapshoqo, who gave the region its name; "Qaziy Kabardia".