About some functioning specifics of the local management system in Taurian region. Kaymakans and Commandants

Abstract

The article deals with the history of the institution of Kaymakanism in the Taurian region in 1784–1787. It is based on new archival materials. Shahin Giray established the positions of kaymakans and kadis in the Crimean Khanate during his reforms of the local government. Those officials performed administrative and judicial functions. Such government institutions remained after the accession of Crimea by the Russian Empire. They continued to perform their functions until 1787, when they were replaced by the uyezd offices. In addition to the kaymakans, the commandants played an important role in the local administration. They were appointed to the largest cities of Taurian region. The Crimean Tatar nobility loyal to the new authorities was subordinate to the kaymakans. The commandants were representatives of the Russian nobility. The Taurian regional government attempted to settle the relationship between those officials. However, the kaymakans and the commandants could not avoid conflicts. That had a negative impact on the functioning of the local governance system. The kaymakans had to work in an unfamiliar to them sphere of jurisdiction, without any knowledge of the Russian language. They continued to apply sharia in their judicial practice, which caused a lot of misunderstanding among the Russian officials and led to legal conflicts.