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       Caucasian eagle Sheikh Shamil was born in Gimri village in Daghestan in 1797. His father was Muhammed Efendi from Denge tribe. His first name was Ali and them he had his most known second name, Shamil. Due to his religious leadership he was called Imam Shamil or Sheikh Shamil. Until he was thirty, the studied Islam, literature and science. He was the student of some famous scholars at that time, such as Sâid Herekânî, Cemaleddin Kumukî and Mevlânâ Hâlid-i Bağdadî.

      When he was back after his graduation, he met with Russian invasion. He attended his friend Ghazi Mohammad’s resistance campaign. After the deaths of Ghazi Mohammad and his successor Hamzat Bek, Daghestan people selected Sheikh Shamil as their Imam. Sheik Shamil was 39 years old when he was selected Imam. As being an effective oretor, patient and knowledge, he gained confidence of Daghestan people with his brave, determined and just behaviors. He terrorized Russians with these behaviours. Sheik Shamil gathered scattered resistance forces and won great victories agains Russians and caused great losses in Russian Army although their heavey armory. Caucasia resisted fram 1837 until 1859 until his leadership.

      This glorious resistance draw the attention of whole world. Ottoman Sultan and Khalif Abdul Mecid Khank supported this resistance. After his victories, Sheikh Shamil structured provinces and assigned governors in these areas in which he also builded representative committees consisting of five members. He assigned a commander over each representative for dealing with religious and social matters. These were respected people whom the inhabitants got confidence in them. Administrators should act in accordance with Sheikh Shamil’s orders, as well as being in convenience with Islam rules. They should be precedents for the people with their behaviours. Russians tried to cheadt them, but having Islam conscience, these heroes and their commanders did not make concession in their purpose. They were wearing kalpaks made of lamp pelt with a square grey cloth in front. Soldiers were wearing yellow and officers black Circassian clothings. They were also wearing green turban cloth over their kalpaks.

     They supplied their armory from Iran and Ottoman Empire. On one hand, Sheikh Shamil were fighting against Russians, and on the other hand, he was teaching Islam to Caucasian youth. He thought that if these young people did not know their religion, they would be cheated easily by Russians and could not save their country. He always said to his man; “It is an evident for faith to be a friend of Allah’s friends and to be an enemy of Allah’s enemies”.

      Sheikh Shamil put some rules in order to succeed in his campaign. He especially forbidden to make agreements with Russians. At the combat on 25 July 1845, he killed three generals, hundreds of offices and thousands Russian soldiers. He gave heavy losses to Tzardom Army. Although he won almost all the combats, he could not stay in Caucasia. Tzar Nicola I also admired this hero of the heroes as rest of the world. He wanted to meet Shamil. And he assigned General Von Klungenav for this mission.

      General met with Shamil and read Tzar’s letter. When he finished, Shamil stood up and said to General Von Klungenay, “My praying time”, walked rapidly and continued, “If Nicola were here instead of you, my whip would give him my last answer”. When Rusian General Fese applied him with the same require, Imam Shamil said to him, “I am Shamil who is the least important among all ghazis fighting for the freedom of Caucasian Muslims. I am a Muslim who swore in not sacrificing God’s protection against Tzar’s sovereign. Don’t call me to Tiflis to meet with Tzar. I will not change my mind, even if I knew that my body would be put into thousands pieces and my country would be destroyed. I will continue to fight. Keep it in mind…”According to the plan in Crimean War between 1853 and 1856, he would attack on Tiflis with the support of Alliance (Turk, English and Frenc) forces.

      This attack could not be done because the necessary support from the alliance forces was not received. After this war, the new Tzar of Russians had more interest in Caucasian problem.  Russians controlled roads from which Sheikh Shamil received armory support from Iran and Ottomans. Russians also bought those tribes who had no power to resist more. These tribes left alone the assistants of Sheikh Shamil. Chechen country went under Russian sovereignty. After that, Sheikh Shamil forces were organized in small groups. Daghestan surrounded wholly. He had to sign an agreement and yield to Russians with his two sons on September 6th, 1859. After his defeat, Sheikh Shamil was sent to Petersburg. Russians treated him not as a war prisoner but as a respectable guest because of his bravery. Tzar Alexander II gave a lavish meal for Sheikh Shamil’s honor and said, “I am honored to see you as our guest at our table.” And Sheikh Shamil responded, “I would be honored, if I hosted you at my table.” Then, Tzar went on admiringly, “Great man! Great Hero!”

      After staying in Kaluga in Russia for some time, Sheikh Shamil was permitted to go Medine for pilgrimage. While on his way to Medine, he was met with great respect and sympathy by public and statesmen in Istanbul. Sheikh Shamil died in Medine in 1871 bu he is still alive in Muslim Turk people as a symbol of boldness and bravery in Daghestan. Later, his sons and grandsons were settled in Turkey and grew respectable statesmen, scientist and businessmen for this country. We remember respectfully this Caucasian Eagle Imam Sheikh Shamil who run for victories while carrying Kur’an in one hand and sword in the other.