Özet:

This article focuses on Danyal Bey, who was the last sultan of Ilisu (Sahur/Zahu) Sultanate that lasted from the second half of 16th century to 1844. It discusses Danyal Bey’s becoming a sultan, taking side with Imam Shamil and their joint struggle, his life following immigration to Istanbul, and presents the date of his death which was not exactly known. Danyal Bey lived as a semi-independent khan subject to Russian rule from 1831, when he became the sultan of Ilisu Sultanate until 1844. In 1844, as a reaction to the Russian efforts to increase their influence in the region, he joined Imam Shamil who struggled for the independence of Caucasia from the Russian dominance. From that year until 1859, he struggled together with Imam Shamil as his “seraskier”, against the Russians. In due course, there were times when Danyal Bey explored different solutions due to helplessness and hopelessness. He migrated to the Ottoman State by the permission of the Russian officials in 1869, after he worked for the Russian army following his surrender. The distressful period between this date and his death in 1871 undoubtedly left marks on his life. It is therefore the hope of this paper to clarify these points and fill the gaps regarding the life of the noble, generous and proud statesman and Caucasian hero Danyal Bey.