User:Radzy0/Kalga (title)

Kalga (Калга Калга qalğa كالغا kalgay კალგა) was the highest ranked official after the khan in the hierarchy of the Crimean Khanate.

The title of kalga was introduced in 1486 by Meñli_I_Giray for his son Mehmed Geray in order to establish a firm order of succession to the throne. Prior to that, power in the Golden Horde was inherited by a senior member of the khan's family, which led to endless strife.

The kalga appointed a successor to the Crimean khan or a trustee of the khan's family. In the event of the death of Khan, the kalga ruled the country until the appointment of a new monarch. He was also the commander in chief of the army if the khan did not go to war personally. The kalga had a residence in Simferopol, known as Ak-Mosque at the time, and ruled the city of Bilohirsk, known as Karasubazar at the time, and its environs.