| Amirkhamza | |
| Bey | |
| Succession: | Senior Prince of Chechnya |
| Reign: | 1690's (?) – 1728 |
| Predecessor: | Muhammad Turlov |
| Successor: | Khasbulat Bamatov |
| Death Date: | 1730's (at least 1732) |
| Father: | Tururav II Turlov |
| Religion: | Islam |
| Dynasty: | Turlov dynasty |
Amirkhamza Turlov, also known as Amiramza or Amir Garze[1] was a prince from the Turlov dynasty who ruled the Turlov Principality until his retirement in 1728. The beginning of his reign is not known, although it must have been before 1707.
He is mainly known for his support for the Bashkir religious and military leader Murat Kuchukov and his involvement in the 1708 Insurgency in the North Caucasus.
He became the Senior Prince of the Turlov Principality following the death of his predecessor Muhammad Turlov, possibly in the 1690s. He is first mentioned in Russian sources in 1708.
In November 1707, he met with the Bashkir ambassador and military leader Murat Kuchukov. Murat decided to stay in Chechnya, where Amirkhamza supported him with everything needed, including military support. When the rebels led by Murat Kuchukov were ready to storm the Terki Fortress, Amirkhamza gathered 700 fighters from all across his state. Combined with the armies of other North Caucasian princes and peoples, this number was raised to over 1,600 fighters. In February 1708, the rebels successfully stormed Terki and captured almost the entire fortress except for the Citadel. However, later that month, Russian and Kalmyk reinforcements invaded the rebel–held fortress and inflicted a crushing defeat on the North Caucasians. Murat himself was wounded and captured, and later on executed. Amirkhamza survived the insurgency and continued ruling over his state.
Amirkhamza was also known for his pro–Crimean and pro–Ottoman views and supported them in their conflicts with the Russian Empire.
In 1728, Amirkhamza retired and was succeeded by Khasbulat Bamatov, who adhered to a pro–Russian orientation. Nevertheless, Amirkhamza continued to be a vassal of the Safawid Empire, to which he paid taxes in the form of cattle and sheep.
Despite his retirement, he continued to remain an influential noble among the Turlovs, and in 1732 he is mentioned as one of the three owners of Chechen-Aul, along with Aidemir Bardykhanov and Khasbulat Bamatov.[1] He died in the 1730s, at least 1732.
A chronology of important events in Amirkhamza's life: