Principality of Zirqan

Zirqan Principality or Zirqanids (Kurdish:Mîrîtiya Zirqan;1335-1835) was a Kurdish principality founded in Silvan in 1335 and centered in Diyarbakır Province. At the height of its power, it controlled the regions of Bitlis, Diyarbakır, and Mardin. Zirqan principality consisted of Ataq, Tercil, Gürdükan and Mihrani regions.

History
Zirqan Principality was founded in Mardin at the beginning of the 13th century. The founders of this principality claimed Sheikh Hassan Zerraki as their ancestor. It is estimated that Mardin Artuqids lived in the period of Salih Şems al-Din, who ruled between 1312-1364. In 1335, the Zirqan Principality was established after the conquest of Boğat Castle in Silvan by Zeydo, a descendant of Sheikh Hassan Zerraki.

Aq Qoyunlu period
Zirqan Principality experienced its strongest period during the Aq Qoyunlu period. The Beylik region includes Mardin, Diyarbakir and Bitlis regions. Aq Qoyunlu ruler Uzun Hasan married the daughter of Omer, one of the emirs of Zirqan, in 1483 and the Principality of Bitlis was given to the Principality of Zirqan by Aq Qoyunlu. Zirqan, which was attacked by the Safavids like other Kurdish principalities in 1507, was occupied by the Safavids, except for the Ataq region.

Ottoman period
Zirki principalities of Ottoman Kurdistan were dynastic estates governed by Kurdish emirs of Zirki tribe and granted special autonomy by the Ottoman sultanate from 1514-1835. Selim I made a pact with Kurdish leaders, allowing them to continue to rule over their homelands in exchange for their support in defending the Ottoman borders from the Safavid Empire. After the Battle of Caldiran in 1514, the Zirqan Beylik began to rule the region with other Kurdish principalities within the Ottoman Empire. Zirkan Principality, like other Kurdish principalities, constantly struggled with each other. In 1709, they lost a war with Principality of Bitlis, resulting in the loss of some of their territory. The Zirkan Principality left many architectural works in the 15th century, the most important of which is the Ahmed Bey Mosque. The rulers of the principality declared their independence in 1830, but after being defeated by the Ottomans in 1835, their family members were exiled to the city of Edirne, thus ending the Zirkan Principality. Despite this, the family's influence continued in Diyarbakır until the end of the 19th century.