Abstract:

The oldest known religious beliefs of the Cracks, an ancient Caucasian population, are the religions of nature. From the 6th century, Christianity spread in Cherkestan and continued its influence until the 15th century. Islam began to spread in the 13th century under the influence of the Golden Orda State in the region. This spread process gained speed after the Ottoman Empire's conquest of Istanbul in 1453, due to the isolation of the region from the source of Christianity. However, until the danger of the 18th century of the Cerkhistan in the hands of the Russians appeared, the Ottoman government did not follow a religious policy focused primarily on the economic and political interests of the region and planned and systematic. The Ottoman government, which intended to win the Quadrats because of the increased Russian danger, first tried to this goal by making them Muslims. Ferah Ali Pasha, sent to the region in 1780, has achieved significant achievements by following a policy that respects the traditions and way of life of the Quarcets and by offering rich gifts to them and by establishing relatives through marriages. As a result of the successful religious policy of the Ottoman, which was continued in the 19th century until the region was passed into the hands of the Russians, the majority of the Cherkets accepted Islam.