Kasimov

Kasimov (Russian: Касимов, Tatar: Касим, historically known as: Xankirmän, Gorodets Meschorski, Novy Nizovoy Górod), is a city in Ryazan Oblast, Russia, the administrative center of Kasimovsky District. The city is located on the right bank of the Oká River.

The first population of this area was the Meshchora tribe, later assimilated by Russians and Tatars.

Map in Russian of the Oka River, influenza of the Volga, in which it appears, in its mid-low course, Kasimov (Касимов)

The city was founded in 1152 by Yuri Dolgoruky of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality under the name Gorodéts, later changed to Gorodéts Meschorski (Городец Мещёрский in Russian). In 1376 the city was destroyed by Tatar and Mongol invaders, but was quickly rebuilt under the name Novy Nizovói Górod (Новый Низовой Город in Russian). After the Battle of Suzdal in 1445, where Grand Duke Basil II was taken prisoner, the Meschora lands were given to Ulugh Muhammad, Khan of the Kazan Khanate, as payment for the duke's life.

In 1452, Grand Duke Basil II handed over the city to the Kazan prince Qasim Khan, who allied with the Russians. Other sources tell that Qasim and his brother Iósif fled from Kazan after his brother Maxmud (Mäxmüd) acceded to the throne. From 1471, the city was known as Qasim city and was the capital of the Khanate of Qasim until 1681 when the Khanate was reabsorbed by Russia.

A group of Tatars settled there in the 15th century and are known as the Qasim Tatars, they speak the dialect Mishar, mixed with from the Middle Tatar dialect of the Tatar language.

In the 12th century the city was divided into three parts by the Russian authorities:

• The old Posad (Старый Посад in Russian, İske Bistä in Tatar and the Tatar Sloboda (Татарская слобода in Russian, Tatar Bistäse in Tatar) governed by the Kanato of Qasim and the Tatar nobility;
• Yamskaya slobodá (Åмская слода in Russian) where Russian servants lived, governed by Mosu;
• Márfina slobodá (Марфина слобода in Russian, Marfin Bistäse in Tatar) – ruled by the Russian governor of Kasimov.

Population:

• 1910 - 17,000
• 2000 - 38,000

Tatar-speaking population in Kasimov:

• 1910 - 1,000 - 2000
• 2000 - 500

Historical buildings:

• Stone Mosque (1467)
• Mausoleum of Khan Shahgali (Şahğäli) (1555)
• Mausoleum of Khan Afghan Moxammad (Äfğan Möxämmäd) (1658)