2025. no 4. Onur Birinci

Maksud Giray Khan in Light of Pierre Ruffin’s “Crimean Diary”

Onur Birinci
Karadeniz Technical University

Abstract. The aim of our study is to analyze the state administration of Maksud Giray Khan (1767–1768 / 1771–1772), who ascended to the throne twice during the critical periods of the Crimean Khanate`s history, and the diplomatic relations in the Crimean Khanate during this time. The aim of this study is to determine the political status of the Crimean Khanate, located in the north of the Black Sea, and the importance of its geopolitical position, analyzing it through the eyes of Pierre Ruffin, a French diplomat and interpreter who was active in the triangle of the Russian Tsardom and Poland, and who was close to the Khan in Bakhchisaray during the period of his being on duty. In addition, one of the main objectives of our study is to identify, compile, chronicle and discuss the accuracy of the claims about Maksud Giray Khan, about whom, in the words of Vasily Smirnov, there is little information in the sources. Turkish historians do not feel the need to mention his name, and he is even accused of cowardice by the Ottoman Empire.

Our study is a qualitative research in terms of examining and evaluating the ongoing military, political and diplomatic relations in the Crimean Khanate in the light of historical sources. Using document analysis (Content Analysis), one of the data collection methods of qualitative research, the raw data obtained from historical documents, such as archival records, manuscripts, chronicles, letters, etc. of the Crimean Khanate, France and the Ottoman Empire were systematically analyzed and interpreted and evaluated with an inductive approach.

Thus, in this study, original information, that has not been reflected in this field before in terms of the history of Crimea, the Ottoman Empire, Poland and Russia, as well as France–Ottoman relations, will be brought to the literature.

Keywords: Bakhchisaray, Russia, Catherine II, Poland, France, Pierre Ruffin’s

For citation: Birinci O. Maksud Giray Khan in Light of Pierre Ruffin’s “Crimean Diary”. Krymskoe istoricheskoe obozrenie=Crimean Historical Review. 2025, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 16–52. DOI: 10.22378/kio.2025.4.16-52 (In Turkish)

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About the author: Onur Birinci – Ph.D. Student, Faculty of History, Institute of Social Sciences, Karadeniz Technical University (61080, Ortahisar, Trabzon, Turkey); ORCID: 0000-0002-4906-5441; birincionur61@gmail.com

Received 03.07.2025

Accepted 28.10.2025