Hagı I Giray was the founder of the Crimean Khanate and the Giray dynasty of Crimea. As the Golden Horde was breaking up he established himself in Crimea and spent most of his life fighting off other warlords. He was usually allied with the Lithuanians.
Devlet I Giray was a Crimean Khan. During his eventful reign: 1552: Russia took Kazan, 1556: Russia took Astrakhan, 1569: Crimean Tatars together with Turks fail to re-take Astrakhan, 1571: Crimean Tatars burnt Moscow, wherein tsar of Muskovy fled from Moscow to Kolomna and pledged to pay an annual tribute to the Crimea, which was paid annually until 1700. During his reign there were a number of Cossack raids on Crimea. His wars with Russia were successful.
The House of Giray, also Girays, were the Genghisid/Turkic dynasty that reigned in the Khanate of Crimea from its formation in 1427 until its downfall in 1783. The dynasty also supplied several khans of Kazan and Astrakhan between 1521 and 1550. Apart from the royal Girays, there was also a lateral branch, the Choban Girays . Before reaching the age of majority, young Girays were brought up in one of the Circassian tribes, where they were instructed in the arts of war. The Giray khans were elected by other Crimean Tatar dynasts, called myrzas (mırzalar). They also elected an heir apparent, called the qalgha sultan. In later centuries, the Ottoman Sultan obtained the right of installing and deposing the khans at his will.
Meñli I Giray (1445–1515), also spelled as Mengli I Giray, was a khan of the Crimean Khanate and the sixth son of Hacı I Giray.
Mehmed I Giray was khan of the Crimean Khanate. He was preceded by his father Meñli I Giray (r.1478-1515) and followed by his son Ğazı I Giray (1523-24). He gained control of the steppe nomads, put his brother on the throne of Kazan and was killed after taking Astrakhan. Had he not been killed he might have joined the three khanates with the Nogais and re-created something like the Golden Horde.
Sahib I Giray was Khan of Kazan for three years and Khan of Crimea for nineteen years. His father was Crimean Khan Mengli Giray. He was placed on the Kazan throne by his ambitious brother Mehmed of Crimea and driven out of Kazan by the Russians. He became Crimean Khan with Turkish support and was expelled by the Turks for disobedience. During his reign Crimean troops fought for the Turks and also fought in the North Caucasus. In 1532-1584, during the long reigns of Sahib I, Devlet I and Mehmed II, Crimea was at the height of its power.
Devlet II Giray was Crimean Khan in 1699–1702 and 1709–1713. He occupied the throne between the board and Qaplan I Giray. The eldest son was Selim II Giray.
Ğazı II Giray was a khan of the Crimean Khanate. Born in 1554, he distinguished himself in the Ottoman–Safavid War (1578–90), gaining the trust of his Ottoman suzerains. He was appointed khan in 1588, after his homeland experienced a period of political turmoil. He failed to capture Moscow during his 1591 campaign against Tsardom of Russia, however he managed to secure a favorable peace treaty two years later. He was then summoned to support his Ottoman allies in the Long Turkish War, taking part in multiple military expeditions centered in Hungary. In late 1596, the Ottoman sultan briefly unseated Ğazı II Giray in favor of Fetih I Giray after heeding the advice of Grand Vizier Cığalazade Yusuf Sinan Pasha. He returned to power three months later, continuing his reign until his death in November 1607.
Toqtamış Giray was briefly khan of the Crimean Khanate. He followed his father Gazi II Giray, was rejected by the Turks and killed by his successor Selâmet I Giray.
Selâmet I Giray was a khan of the Crimean Khanate. His early life was more complex than his 2-year reign. Most of his life involved dynastic conflicts with his brothers and nephews.
Fetih I Giray was briefly khan of the Crimean Khanate, interrupting the reign of his elder brother Ğazı II Giray (1588-1607). He was one of the many sons of Devlet I Giray. Khan Adil Giray (1666-1671) was his grandson.
Nur Devlet, was a khan of the Crimean Khanate and the son of Hacı I Giray, the founder of Crimean Khanate.
The territory of Crimea, previously controlled by the Crimean Khanate, was annexed by the Russian Empire on 19 April [O.S. 8 April] 1783. The period before the annexation was marked by Russian interference in Crimean affairs, a series of revolts by Crimean Tatars, and Ottoman ambivalence. The annexation began 134 years of rule by the Russian Empire, which was ended by the revolution of 1917.
Ğazı I Giray was for six months khan of the Crimean khanate. He was preceded by his father Mehmed I Giray and was followed by his uncle Saadet I Girai. He was enthroned after his father's murder and was executed by his uncle. In the nine years following Mehmed's death the throne was contested Mehmed’s sons Gazi and Islam and his brothers Saadet and Sahib until Mehmed's brother Sahib I Giray (1532-51) achieved a long reign.
İslâm I Giray was for five months Khan of the Crimean Khanate. He was preceded and followed his uncles Saadet I Girai (1524-32) and Sahib I Giray (1532-51). His father was Mehmed I Giray (1515-23). Islam spent most of his life (1524-37) trying to take the throne from his uncles. He was once Khan and twice Kalga or designated heir and co-ruler. He revolted three times, twice almost captured the khanship and once partitioned the Khanate between himself and his uncle. When not in Crimea he lived with the Nogai nomads.
Saadet I Giray was Khan of the Crimean Khanate. He was pro-Turkish and a competent ruler. He followed Ğazı I Giray (1523-24) and was followed by İslâm I Giray (1532). For his relatives, many of whom were khans, see his brother Mehmed I Giray.
Islyam II Giray was a khan of the Crimean Khanate. His long stay in Turkey, theological training, and possibly age, may have unfitted him to rule. Most of the fighting was done by his brother Alp Giray. He was one of the many sons of Devlet I Giray. His reign was briefly interrupted by the usurpation of his nephew Saadet, and much of his reign was spent in conflict with Saadet and his brothers, the sons of his murdered brother and predecessor, Mehmed II Giray. Unlike many Crimean khans he died of natural causes.
