# Giray dynasty

The House of Giray (Crimean Tatar: Geraylar, كرايلر; Ottoman Turkish: آل جنكيز, romanized: Âl-i Cengiz, lit. 'Genghisids'), also the Girays, were the Genghisid/Turkic dynasty that reigned in the Khanate of Crimea from its formation in 1431 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 (Çoban Geraylar).
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 (qalğa sultan). In later centuries, the Ottoman Sultan obtained the right of installing and deposing the khans at his will.
Their early ancestor was Togay Timur (Tuqa Timur), a younger son of Jochi. The story of the Girays begin with Öreng Timur, son of Togay Timur, receiving Crimea from Mengu-Timur.
From a genetic point of view, the Giray dynasty, according to the researches, is most likely to carry the Asian branch of R1a haplogroup (R1a-Z93), which is absent from the gene pool of Mongolian peoples, but is extremely common among certain Turkic peoples of modern-day Russia and Central Asia. The definitive resolution to the question of the genetic lineage of the Girays hinges on the analysis of Hacı Giray's paleo-DNA. However, despite the initiation of DNA studies in 2017, the results remain undisclosed to date.

## During Ottoman suzerainty

According to some scholars (S. S. Montefiore etc.), the Girays were regarded as the second family of the Ottoman Empire after the House of Ottoman: "If Rome and Byzantium represented two of the three international traditions of imperial legitimacy, the blood of Genghis Khan was the third... If ever the Ottomans became extinct, it was understood that the Genghisid Girays would succeed them".
During the 15th and early 16th centuries, the Giray Khan was second to the Ottoman Emperor - and thus superior to the Grand Vizier - in the Ottoman protocol. After the disobedience and 1584 removal of Mehmed II Giray, the Sultan demoted the Crimean Khan to the level of Grand Vizier. The Giray Khans were also sovereigns of their own realm. They could mint coins, make law by decree, and had their own tughras.

### Alliances

The Crimean Khanate made alliances with the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and with the Zaporizhian Sich. The assistance of İslâm III Giray during the Khmelnytsky Uprising in 1648 contributed greatly to the initial momentum of military successes for the Cossacks. The relationship with the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was also strong - the dynasty of Girays would seek sanctuary in Lithuania in the 15th century before establishing themselves on the Crimean peninsula.

## Downfall

After the khanate's annexation by Imperial Russia in 1783, the last khan Şahin Giray remained nominally in power until 1787, when he took refuge in the Ottoman Empire, and was executed in Rhodes.
Other dynasts were permitted by the Russian authorities to reside in their Bakhchisaray palace. Selim III's young son, Qattı Giray, was converted by missionaries to Protestantism and married a Scottish heiress, Anne Neilson.

## After downfall

After the execution of Şahin Giray by Abdul Hamid I, his family lived in Burgazada, Istanbul.

## Genetics

According to genetic studies, the Giray dynasty is most likely associated with the R1a-Z93 haplogroup, which is prevalent among the Turkic peoples of Eurasia. However, further research is necessary to refine and confirm the genetic data pertaining to the Girays. The Girays are descendants of Jochi, the eldest son of Genghis Khan. Nevertheless, the absence of reliable genetic data on the descendants of Chagatai, Tolui, or Ögedei leaves unresolved the question of whether Jochi was indeed the biological son of Genghis Khan. The hypothesized haplogroup of Genghis Khan spans a range of possibilities, including C3c-M48 and R1b-M343, based on current genetic analyses. However, conclusive determination remains uncertain due to the limitations of available data and the need for further research.

## Family tree

House of Giray :
* Golden Horde/White Horde/Great Horde (After Islamization)
* Kazan Khanate
* Crimean Khanate
* Qasim Khanate
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Hacı I Giray r. 1428–1429, 1431 – 1434 r. 1441–1456, 1456 – 1466 | Hacı I Giray r. 1428–1429, 1431 – 1434 r. 1441–1456, 1456 – 1466 | Hacı I Giray r. 1428–1429, 1431 – 1434 r. 1441–1456, 1456 – 1466 | Hacı I Giray r. 1428–1429, 1431 – 1434 r. 1441–1456, 1456 – 1466 | Hacı I Giray r. 1428–1429, 1431 – 1434 r. 1441–1456, 1456 – 1466 | Hacı I Giray r. 1428–1429, 1431 – 1434 r. 1441–1456, 1456 – 1466 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Nur Devlet r. 1466–1469, 1475 – 1476 r. 1477–1477 r. 1486–1491 | Nur Devlet r. 1466–1469, 1475 – 1476 r. 1477–1477 r. 1486–1491 | Nur Devlet r. 1466–1469, 1475 – 1476 r. 1477–1477 r. 1486–1491 | Nur Devlet r. 1466–1469, 1475 – 1476 r. 1477–1477 r. 1486–1491 | Nur Devlet r. 1466–1469, 1475 – 1476 r. 1477–1477 r. 1486–1491 | Nur Devlet r. 1466–1469, 1475 – 1476 r. 1477–1477 r. 1486–1491 | | | | | | | Hayder r. 1456–1456, 1475 – 1475 | Hayder r. 1456–1456, 1475 – 1475 | Hayder r. 1456–1456, 1475 – 1475 | Hayder r. 1456–1456, 1475 – 1475 | Hayder r. 1456–1456, 1475 – 1475 | Hayder r. 1456–1456, 1475 – 1475 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Meñli I Giray r. 1467–1467, 1469 – 1475 r. 1478–1515 | Meñli I Giray r. 1467–1467, 1469 – 1475 r. 1478–1515 | Meñli I Giray r. 1467–1467, 1469 – 1475 r. 1478–1515 | Meñli I Giray r. 1467–1467, 1469 – 1475 r. 1478–1515 | Meñli I Giray r. 1467–1467, 1469 – 1475 r. 1478–1515 | Meñli I Giray r. 1467–1467, 1469 – 1475 r. 1478–1515 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Satylghan r. 1491–1506 | Satylghan r. 1491–1506 | Satylghan r. 1491–1506 | Satylghan r. 1491–1506 | Satylghan r. 1491–1506 | Satylghan r. 1491–1506 | | | Janai r. 1506–1512 | Janai r. 1506–1512 | Janai r. 1506–1512 | Janai r. 1506–1512 | Janai r. 1506–1512 | Janai r. 1506–1512 | | | Mehmed I Giray r. 1493–1495 r. 1515–1523 | Mehmed I Giray r. 1493–1495 r. 1515–1523 | Mehmed I Giray r. 1493–1495 r. 1515–1523 | Mehmed I Giray r. 1493–1495 r. 1515–1523 | Mehmed I Giray r. 1493–1495 r. 1515–1523 | Mehmed I Giray r. 1493–1495 r. 1515–1523 | | | Saadet I Giray r. 1524–1532 | Saadet I Giray r. 1524–1532 | Saadet I Giray r. 1524–1532 | Saadet I Giray r. 1524–1532 | Saadet I Giray r. 1524–1532 | Saadet I Giray r. 1524–1532 | | | Sahib I Giray r. 1521–1524 r. 1532–1551 | Sahib I Giray r. 1521–1524 r. 1532–1551 | Sahib I Giray r. 1521–1524 r. 1532–1551 | Sahib I Giray r. 1521–1524 r. 1532–1551 | Sahib I Giray r. 1521–1524 r. 1532–1551 | Sahib I Giray r. 1521–1524 r. 1532–1551 | | | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Fetih Giray | Fetih Giray | Fetih Giray | Fetih Giray | Fetih Giray | Fetih Giray |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ğazı I Giray r. 1523–1524 | Ğazı I Giray r. 1523–1524 | Ğazı I Giray r. 1523–1524 | Ğazı I Giray r. 1523–1524 | Ğazı I Giray r. 1523–1524 | Ğazı I Giray r. 1523–1524 | | | İslâm I Giray r. 1524–1524, 1525 – 1525 r. 1528–1528, 1532 – 1532 | İslâm I Giray r. 1524–1524, 1525 – 1525 r. 1528–1528, 1532 – 1532 | İslâm I Giray r. 1524–1524, 1525 – 1525 r. 1528–1528, 1532 – 1532 | İslâm I Giray r. 1524–1524, 1525 – 1525 r. 1528–1528, 1532 – 1532 | İslâm I Giray r. 1524–1524, 1525 – 1525 r. 1528–1528, 1532 – 1532 | İslâm I Giray r. 1524–1524, 1525 – 1525 r. 1528–1528, 1532 – 1532 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Devlet I Giray r. 1549–1551 r. 1551–1577 | Devlet I Giray r. 1549–1551 r. 1551–1577 | Devlet I Giray r. 1549–1551 r. 1551–1577 | Devlet I Giray r. 1549–1551 r. 1551–1577 | Devlet I Giray r. 1549–1551 r. 1551–1577 | Devlet I Giray r. 1549–1551 r. 1551–1577 | Safa Giray r. 1524–1531, 1535 – 1546 r. 1546–1549 | Safa Giray r. 1524–1531, 1535 – 1546 r. 1546–1549 | Safa Giray r. 1524–1531, 1535 – 1546 r. 1546–1549 | Safa Giray r. 1524–1531, 1535 – 1546 r. 1546–1549 | Safa Giray r. 1524–1531, 1535 – 1546 r. 1546–1549 | Safa Giray r. 1524–1531, 1535 – 1546 r. 1546–1549 |
| Mehmed II Giray r. 1577–1584 | Mehmed II Giray r. 1577–1584 | Mehmed II Giray r. 1577–1584 | Mehmed II Giray r. 1577–1584 | Mehmed II Giray r. 1577–1584 | Mehmed II Giray r. 1577–1584 | İslâm II Giray r. 1584–1588 | İslâm II Giray r. 1584–1588 | İslâm II Giray r. 1584–1588 | İslâm II Giray r. 1584–1588 | İslâm II Giray r. 1584–1588 | İslâm II Giray r. 1584–1588 | | | Ğazı II Giray r. 1588–1596, 1596 – 1607 | Ğazı II Giray r. 1588–1596, 1596 – 1607 | Ğazı II Giray r. 1588–1596, 1596 – 1607 | Ğazı II Giray r. 1588–1596, 1596 – 1607 | Ğazı II Giray r. 1588–1596, 1596 – 1607 | Ğazı II Giray r. 1588–1596, 1596 – 1607 | | | | | | | Fetih I Giray r. 1596–1596 | Fetih I Giray r. 1596–1596 | Fetih I Giray r. 1596–1596 | Fetih I Giray r. 1596–1596 | Fetih I Giray r. 1596–1596 | Fetih I Giray r. 1596–1596 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Selâmet I Giray r. 1607–1610 | Selâmet I Giray r. 1607–1610 | Selâmet I Giray r. 1607–1610 | Selâmet I Giray r. 1607–1610 | Selâmet I Giray r. 1607–1610 | Selâmet I Giray r. 1607–1610 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Utamesh Giray r. 1549–1551 | Utamesh Giray r. 1549–1551 | Utamesh Giray r. 1549–1551 | Utamesh Giray r. 1549–1551 | Utamesh Giray r. 1549–1551 | Utamesh Giray r. 1549–1551 |
| Saadet II Giray r. 1584–1584 | Saadet II Giray r. 1584–1584 | Saadet II Giray r. 1584–1584 | Saadet II Giray r. 1584–1584 | Saadet II Giray r. 1584–1584 | Saadet II Giray r. 1584–1584 | | | | | İnayet Giray r. 1635–1637 | İnayet Giray r. 1635–1637 | İnayet Giray r. 1635–1637 | İnayet Giray r. 1635–1637 | İnayet Giray r. 1635–1637 | İnayet Giray r. 1635–1637 | | | Toqtamış Giray r. 1607–1607 | Toqtamış Giray r. 1607–1607 | Toqtamış Giray r. 1607–1607 | Toqtamış Giray r. 1607–1607 | Toqtamış Giray r. 1607–1607 | Toqtamış Giray r. 1607–1607 | | | Choban Giray | Choban Giray | Choban Giray | Choban Giray | Choban Giray | Choban Giray | | | | | Bahadır I Giray r. 1637–1641 | Bahadır I Giray r. 1637–1641 | Bahadır I Giray r. 1637–1641 | Bahadır I Giray r. 1637–1641 | Bahadır I Giray r. 1637–1641 | Bahadır I Giray r. 1637–1641 | | | İslâm III Giray r. 1644–1654 | İslâm III Giray r. 1644–1654 | İslâm III Giray r. 1644–1654 | İslâm III Giray r. 1644–1654 | İslâm III Giray r. 1644–1654 | İslâm III Giray r. 1644–1654 | | | Mehmed IV Giray r. 1641–1644, 1654 – 1666 | Mehmed IV Giray r. 1641–1644, 1654 – 1666 | Mehmed IV Giray r. 1641–1644, 1654 – 1666 | Mehmed IV Giray r. 1641–1644, 1654 – 1666 | Mehmed IV Giray r. 1641–1644, 1654 – 1666 | Mehmed IV Giray r. 1641–1644, 1654 – 1666 | | | Qırım Giray | Qırım Giray | Qırım Giray | Qırım Giray | Qırım Giray | Qırım Giray | | | | | | | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | Mubarak Giray | | | Canibek Giray r. 1610–1623, 1628 – 1635 | Canibek Giray r. 1610–1623, 1628 – 1635 | Canibek Giray r. 1610–1623, 1628 – 1635 | Canibek Giray r. 1610–1623, 1628 – 1635 | Canibek Giray r. 1610–1623, 1628 – 1635 | Canibek Giray r. 1610–1623, 1628 – 1635 | | | | | | |
| Mehmed III Giray r. 1623–1628 | Mehmed III Giray r. 1623–1628 | Mehmed III Giray r. 1623–1628 | Mehmed III Giray r. 1623–1628 | Mehmed III Giray r. 1623–1628 | Mehmed III Giray r. 1623–1628 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Safa Giray | Safa Giray | Safa Giray | Safa Giray | Safa Giray | Safa Giray | | | Adil Giray r. 1666–1671 | Adil Giray r. 1666–1671 | Adil Giray r. 1666–1671 | Adil Giray r. 1666–1671 | Adil Giray r. 1666–1671 | Adil Giray r. 1666–1671 | Selim I Giray r. 1671–1678, 1684 – 1691 r. 1692–1699, 1702 – 1704 | Selim I Giray r. 1671–1678, 1684 – 1691 r. 1692–1699, 1702 – 1704 | Selim I Giray r. 1671–1678, 1684 – 1691 r. 1692–1699, 1702 – 1704 | Selim I Giray r. 1671–1678, 1684 – 1691 r. 1692–1699, 1702 – 1704 | Selim I Giray r. 1671–1678, 1684 – 1691 r. 1692–1699, 1702 – 1704 | Selim I Giray r. 1671–1678, 1684 – 1691 r. 1692–1699, 1702 – 1704 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Haci II Giray r. 1683–1684 | Haci II Giray r. 1683–1684 | Haci II Giray r. 1683–1684 | Haci II Giray r. 1683–1684 | Haci II Giray r. 1683–1684 | Haci II Giray r. 1683–1684 | | | Saadet III Giray r. 1691–1691 | Saadet III Giray r. 1691–1691 | Saadet III Giray r. 1691–1691 | Saadet III Giray r. 1691–1691 | Saadet III Giray r. 1691–1691 | Saadet III Giray r. 1691–1691 | | | Murad Giray r. 1678–1683 | Murad Giray r. 1678–1683 | Murad Giray r. 1678–1683 | Murad Giray r. 1678–1683 | Murad Giray r. 1678–1683 | Murad Giray r. 1678–1683 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Safa Giray r. 1691–1692 | Safa Giray r. 1691–1692 | Safa Giray r. 1691–1692 | Safa Giray r. 1691–1692 | Safa Giray r. 1691–1692 | Safa Giray r. 1691–1692 | | | Devlet III Giray r. 1715–1717 | Devlet III Giray r. 1715–1717 | Devlet III Giray r. 1715–1717 | Devlet III Giray r. 1715–1717 | Devlet III Giray r. 1715–1717 | Devlet III Giray r. 1715–1717 | Devlet II Giray r. 1699–1702, 1709 – 1713 | Devlet II Giray r. 1699–1702, 1709 – 1713 | Devlet II Giray r. 1699–1702, 1709 – 1713 | Devlet II Giray r. 1699–1702, 1709 – 1713 | Devlet II Giray r. 1699–1702, 1709 – 1713 | Devlet II Giray r. 1699–1702, 1709 – 1713 | | | Saadet IV Giray r. 1717–1724 | Saadet IV Giray r. 1717–1724 | Saadet IV Giray r. 1717–1724 | Saadet IV Giray r. 1717–1724 | Saadet IV Giray r. 1717–1724 | Saadet IV Giray r. 1717–1724 | | | Ğazı III Giray r. 1704–1707 | Ğazı III Giray r. 1704–1707 | Ğazı III Giray r. 1704–1707 | Ğazı III Giray r. 1704–1707 | Ğazı III Giray r. 1704–1707 | Ğazı III Giray r. 1704–1707 | | | Qaplan I Giray r. 1707–1709, 1713 – 1715 r. 1730–1736 | Qaplan I Giray r. 1707–1709, 1713 – 1715 r. 1730–1736 | Qaplan I Giray r. 1707–1709, 1713 – 1715 r. 1730–1736 | Qaplan I Giray r. 1707–1709, 1713 – 1715 r. 1730–1736 | Qaplan I Giray r. 1707–1709, 1713 – 1715 r. 1730–1736 | Qaplan I Giray r. 1707–1709, 1713 – 1715 r. 1730–1736 | | | Meñli II Giray r. 1724–1730, 1737 – 1739 | Meñli II Giray r. 1724–1730, 1737 – 1739 | Meñli II Giray r. 1724–1730, 1737 – 1739 | Meñli II Giray r. 1724–1730, 1737 – 1739 | Meñli II Giray r. 1724–1730, 1737 – 1739 | Meñli II Giray r. 1724–1730, 1737 – 1739 | | | Selamet II Giray r. 1739–1743 | Selamet II Giray r. 1739–1743 | Selamet II Giray r. 1739–1743 | Selamet II Giray r. 1739–1743 | Selamet II Giray r. 1739–1743 | Selamet II Giray r. 1739–1743 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Arslan Giray r. 1748–1756, 1767 – 1767 | Arslan Giray r. 1748–1756, 1767 – 1767 | Arslan Giray r. 1748–1756, 1767 – 1767 | Arslan Giray r. 1748–1756, 1767 – 1767 | Arslan Giray r. 1748–1756, 1767 – 1767 | Arslan Giray r. 1748–1756, 1767 – 1767 | | | | | | | | | Ahmad Giray | Ahmad Giray | Ahmad Giray | Ahmad Giray | Ahmad Giray | Ahmad Giray | | | | | | | | | | | Fetih II Giray r. 1736–1737 | Fetih II Giray r. 1736–1737 | Fetih II Giray r. 1736–1737 | Fetih II Giray r. 1736–1737 | Fetih II Giray r. 1736–1737 | Fetih II Giray r. 1736–1737 | Qırım Giray r. 1758–1764, 1768 – 1769 | Qırım Giray r. 1758–1764, 1768 – 1769 | Qırım Giray r. 1758–1764, 1768 – 1769 | Qırım Giray r. 1758–1764, 1768 – 1769 | Qırım Giray r. 1758–1764, 1768 – 1769 | Qırım Giray r. 1758–1764, 1768 – 1769 | | | Halim Giray r. 1756–1758 | Halim Giray r. 1756–1758 | Halim Giray r. 1756–1758 | Halim Giray r. 1756–1758 | Halim Giray r. 1756–1758 | Halim Giray r. 1756–1758 | | | | | | | | | | | Selim II Giray r. 1743–1748 | Selim II Giray r. 1743–1748 | Selim II Giray r. 1743–1748 | Selim II Giray r. 1743–1748 | Selim II Giray r. 1743–1748 | Selim II Giray r. 1743–1748 | | | | | | | | | | | Maqsud Giray r. 1767–1768 | Maqsud Giray r. 1767–1768 | Maqsud Giray r. 1767–1768 | Maqsud Giray r. 1767–1768 | Maqsud Giray r. 1767–1768 | Maqsud Giray r. 1767–1768 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Devlet IV Giray r. 1769–1770, 1775 – 1777 | Devlet IV Giray r. 1769–1770, 1775 – 1777 | Devlet IV Giray r. 1769–1770, 1775 – 1777 | Devlet IV Giray r. 1769–1770, 1775 – 1777 | Devlet IV Giray r. 1769–1770, 1775 – 1777 | Devlet IV Giray r. 1769–1770, 1775 – 1777 | Bahadır II Giray r. 1782–1782 | Bahadır II Giray r. 1782–1782 | Bahadır II Giray r. 1782–1782 | Bahadır II Giray r. 1782–1782 | Bahadır II Giray r. 1782–1782 | Bahadır II Giray r. 1782–1782 | | | Sahib II Giray r. 1771–1775 | Sahib II Giray r. 1771–1775 | Sahib II Giray r. 1771–1775 | Sahib II Giray r. 1771–1775 | Sahib II Giray r. 1771–1775 | Sahib II Giray r. 1771–1775 | | | Şahin Giray r. 1777–1782, 1782 – 1783 | Şahin Giray r. 1777–1782, 1782 – 1783 | Şahin Giray r. 1777–1782, 1782 – 1783 | Şahin Giray r. 1777–1782, 1782 – 1783 | Şahin Giray r. 1777–1782, 1782 – 1783 | Şahin Giray r. 1777–1782, 1782 – 1783 | | | Selim III Giray r. 1764–1767, 1770 – 1771 | Selim III Giray r. 1764–1767, 1770 – 1771 | Selim III Giray r. 1764–1767, 1770 – 1771 | Selim III Giray r. 1764–1767, 1770 – 1771 | Selim III Giray r. 1764–1767, 1770 – 1771 | Selim III Giray r. 1764–1767, 1770 – 1771 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Qaplan II Giray r. 1770–1770 | Qaplan II Giray r. 1770–1770 | Qaplan II Giray r. 1770–1770 | Qaplan II Giray r. 1770–1770 | Qaplan II Giray r. 1770–1770 | Qaplan II Giray r. 1770–1770 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |