Bahadır I Giray
Bahadir or Bahadır I Giray (1602–1641, reigned 1637–1641) was a khan of the Crimean Khanate. Much of his reign was spent dealing with Azov which had been captured by the Don Cossacks. Unlike many khans, he died of natural causes. He was the father of Selim I Giray and, through him, the ancestor of all khans who reigned after 1700 except for Devlet III. Early life and enthronement He was the son of Selâmet I Giray who reigned from 1608 to 1610. During his father's reign he was sent to Turkey as a ‘rekhin’ or honorable hostage. He grew up on an estate near Yambol. He was described as handsome, learned, eloquent and something of a poet. In June 1637 the Turks deposed İnayet Giray and placed Bahadir on the throne. As kalga and nureddin he chose the brothers Islyam and Safa Girai. Just after coming to the throne he learned that the Don Cossacks had captured Azov. Reign and Azov problem Azov, or Azak as it was then called, lies at the northeast corner of the Sea of Azov, at the mouth of the Don River. In 1471 the Turks captured it from the Genoese. They used it mainly