Aytech Qanoqo

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Qanoqo Aytech
Aytek Konokov
Born17-18th century
Circassia
Died1844
Circassia
Allegiance Russia
Circassia
Battles/warsRusso-Circassian War

Aytech Qanoqo (Kabardian: Къанокъуэ Айтэч, romanized: Qanoqwə Aytəç; Russian: Айтек Коноков; ? - September 26, 1844) was a military commander and double agent who took part in the Russo-Circassian War. Being originally of the Circassian nobility, he frequently changed sides and was a notable participant on both sides of the conflict. In the end, he was known as a traitor by both sides and did not have a funeral.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Due to the rise of democratic factions in Circassia, and some regions switching from monarchy to democracy, he lost his status as a noble and initially supported the Russian invasion of Circassia to keep his noble titles. In 1828, he arrived at the Russian camp, where he took an oath of allegiance to the Russian Empire, changed his name to Aytek Konokov, converted to Christianity, took promise that his village would not be destroyed like the other Circassian villages, and accepted Russian citizenship.[1]

After seeing the huge failure of Russian forces against the mountainous Circassians, he switched sides, re-converted to Islam and started fighting for Circassia. As a result, in 1833, Russian general Grigory Zass, who had a special hate for Circassians, completely destroyed his village, killed most inhabitants, captured 68 prisoners and destroyed the stocks of hay and bread.[2] After this, Qanoqo tried to defeat Zass, but failed. After this failure, as well as major parts of Circassia falling to the Russian forces with their populations massacred, he saw little hope left for Circassia and switched to the Russian side again.[3][4]

Until 1844, Qanoqo served as a general in the Russian army. In 1844, seeing the Circassian resistance only getting stronger and winning major battles against Russia, Qanoqo again switched sides, and joined Circassia against the Russian forces.[5] On the night of August 26, he tried to siege the fortress of Grigory Zass, ultimately seeking revenge for his destroyed village, but failed.[6]

Death[]

On September 26, 1844, he was killed in a battle against the Russians. Some sources claim he was going to the Russian camp in order to change sides again but was attacked by the Russians. His body, contrary to tradition, was not removed by the Circassians from the battlefield for janazah and went to the Russians.[7]

References[]

  1. ^ Кавказская война. Том 5. Время Паскевича, или Бунт Чечни. Глава XXVIII. Репрессалии
  2. ^ Кавказский узел. Засс Григорий Христофорович
  3. ^ Каноков Айтек. Адыги (черкесы) на российской военной службе.
  4. ^ История Кубанского казачьего войска. Глава XIX. Борьба с горцами на Старой линии
  5. ^ Майкл Ходарковский. Горький выбор: Верность и предательство в эпоху российского завоевания Северного Кавказа. Новое Литературное Обозрение, 2016.
  6. ^ Ф. А. Щербина История Кубанского казачьего войска. Глава XXII. Борьба с горцами на Старой и Новой линиях
  7. ^ Адыгские песни времён Кавказской войны. Нальчик: Эль-Фа. 2005.
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