Principality of Hatuqay

Principality of Hatuqay
Хьатикъое Пщыгъо
c. 1330s–1863
The tamga of the Shedjeruqo, a sub-branch of the Hatuqo dynasty's Cherchanuqo line which ruled the Hatuqay
Seal of Prince Jandjeriy Cherchanuqo (1827)
Principality of Hatuqay in the first quarter of the 19th century
CapitalХьатикъо икъуадж "Hatuqo's Aul" (Various princely auls over time (Пщым икъуадж), all belonging to the Hatuqo clan)
Common languagesAdyghe (Hatuqay dialect), Crimean Tatar
Religion
Khabzeism & Eastern Orthodoxy (c. 1330s – early 17th century)
Sunni Islam (Hanafi) (early 17th century – 1863)
DemonymHatuqay
GovernmentPrincipality (c. 1330s – 1862)
Elective Council (1862 – 1863)
Prince 
• c. 1330s (first)
Hatuqo
• c. 1852 – 1862 (last)
Indar
People's Administrator 
• 1862 – 1863
Indar
History 
• Established
c. 1330s
• Conversion to Islam; nominal loyalty to Ottoman Caliphate
17th century
• Autonomous under the Caucasian Imamate
1849 – 1851
• Part of Russian sphere
1852 – 1863
• Disestablished
1863
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Zichia
Russian Empire
Today part of Russia (Republic of Adygea, Krasnodar Krai)

The Principality of Hatuqay was a historical principality in Circassia, inhabited by Hatuqay Circassians. Established in the 14th century by separating from the Chemguy Principality, it was ruled by the Cherchanuqo family, a branch of the Hatuqo dynasty claiming descent from Inal the Great. Originally located near the Taman Peninsula and the Black Sea coast, the Hatuqay eventually settled in the fertile lands south of the Kuban River, between the Belaya and Pshish rivers, flanked by the Bzhedug and Chemguy principalities. The principality was marked on period maps with various names including Hatukai, Codioci, and Gatyukai, such as on a 1787 map by Johann Anton Güldenstädt, and on a 1675 map by Frederik de Wit.

Known for their martial culture, the Hatuqay maintained a significant military force and frequently engaged in warfare against the Crimean Khanate and rival Circassian tribes. The Principality of Hatuqay took part in the Russo-Circassian War and was ultimately annexed and abolished by the Russian military administration in 1863; its population was forcibly resettled or dispersed, effectively removing the entity from the map.