| Hawduqo Mansur Хьаудыкъо Мансур | |
|---|---|
| |
 Confederate Leader of Circassia (de jure)
| |
In office 1839–1846 | |
| Preceded by | Ismail Berzeg (de facto) |
| Succeeded by | Muhammad Amin Asiyalav |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 1846 |
| Military service | |
| Nickname(s) | King |
| Allegiance | Circassian Confederation
|
| Battles/wars | Russo-Circassian War |
Hawduqo Mansur (Adyghe language: Хьаудыкъо Мансур; ?-1846) was a Circassian politician and military commander who was the 3rd leader of Circassia. He took part in the Russo-Circassian War.[1][2]
Biography[]
Hawduqo Mansur (third last) with his friends. Next to him is Ismail Berzeg
Early life[]
Not much is recorded about Hawduqo, as Circassians did not write down their history, and all knowledge comes from Russian sources. His exact birth date is not known. Of Circassian nobility, he was raised with a martial education. He was defined as "a man who gained superiority with his voice on the rostrum and with his sword in war".[3]
Name[]
It is not known if Hawduqo is his surname or nickname. One theory is that it means "The King", as he was elected as the leader of all Circassians.[4] The Englishman Longworth, who visited Circassia and wrote his memoirs (A Year Among the Circassians), called him as "Haoud Oglu Mansour Bey", Turkish translation of "Hawduqo Mansur". Circassians used Turkish stylisation of their names in official matters when corresponding with Turks. Paying tribute to his popularity, Longworth states that the Circassians called Mansur "the king of the country." He mentions talking with him, and that he spoke fluent Turkish.[5]
Speech to the nation[]
In 1840, he gave a speech addressing Circassian nation:[3]
Even if we lose many of our brave warriors, we have men and young boys to replace them! Worst case, we will be unable to use our rifles because we have no gunpowder and ammo. Even so, we will fight with swords and daggers in hand! We will never obey the enemies! Even if the whole world abandons us and we are cornered to the last point of our homeland, it will still be seen what the Adyghe are capable of. If necessary, we will have to mercifully take the lives of our women and children with our own hands so that they do not fall into the hands of the enemy and be met by various worse pains. And then, to avenge them, we too must perish.
Participation in the Russo-Circassian War[]
Several repots state that Hawduqo was a respected person all around Circassia. In in 1839, the Circassians declared Bighuqal (Anapa) as their new capital and Hawduqo Mansur was declared the leader of the Circassian Confederation. He kept this title until his death. This union was nominal, as the confederation was loose. In February 1840, General Raevsky in his note “On the Political Condition of the East Coast” mentions: “The head of the meeting was Khaud-Oglu-Mamsyr. He is mentioned as the leader of the Shupago clan, a Natukhaj noble clan also mentioned by chevalier Edouard Taitbout de Marigny in his book about travels to Circassia. His signature is also among the signatures of a document called "Declaration of the chief judge of Circassia and other seniors regarding sujuk-kaleh" as cited by James Bell's book. (James bell also visited Circassia) Again, he is known as "Haud-oghlu Mansur".
The Siege of Lazarevsky took place on the night of February 7, 1840. After a 3-hour battle, the fortification was taken by the Circassians. The fort was then destroyed by Circassians, who did not want hostile elements in their land. Hawduqo mansur and Ismail Berzeg went on to capture two more forts, including Abyn, with an army of 11,000 men.
Death[]
He died in 1846.[6]
References[]
The original article can be found at Hawduqo Mansur and the edit history here.