Bohdan Khmelnytsky
On the 17th of September 1620, the Battle of Cecora ended with the death of Bohdan Khmelnytsky's father, Mykhailo. Young Bohdan stood among many other captured soldiers as Ottoman forces took him prisoner. He spent two years in Constantinople held by an Ottoman Kapudan Pasha, likely Parlak Mustafa Pasha. Some accounts suggest he rowed galleys in the Ottoman Navy, learning Turkic languages during his enslavement. Sources vary on how he escaped or was ransomed back to Ukraine. One theory credits Krzysztof Zbaraski, ambassador to the Ottomans, who paid 30,000 thalers for prisoners in 1622. Upon return to Subotiv, Khmelnytsky resumed control of his father's estate and joined the registered Cossacks in Chyhyryn Regiment.
In March 1646, magnate Stanisław Koniecpolski died, leaving his successor Aleksander to claim Khmelnytsky's estate. Daniel Czapliński received authority from Koniecpolski to seize Subotiv at year end 1645. By early 1647, Czapliński raided Khmelnytsky's property twice, causing significant damage and beating Khmelnytsky's son Yuriy badly. In April 1647, eviction succeeded, forcing Khmelnytsky to move with his large family to a relative's house in Chyhyryn. His wife Hanna died that same year, leaving him alone with their children. During May 1647, Motrona, reportedly an orphan from a Polish noble family, was abducted during a raid on Khmelnytsky's property and forcibly married to Czapliński. Unable to regain land or compensation, Khmelkytsky traveled through autumn 1647 consulting Cossack leaders across Ukraine before being arrested by local authorities.
At the end of January 1648, a Cossack Rada elected Khmelnytsky unanimously as hetman. On the 16th of May 1648, two armies met at Zhovti Vody where Tugay Bey's Crimean Tatars aided the Cossacks. This crushing defeat marked the first major victory against the Commonwealth. The Battle of Korsuń followed on the 26th of May 1648 with identical success. By spring 1649, Polish attacks increased frequency and became more successful. The Treaty of Zboriv signed the 18th of August 1649 proved unfavorable for Cossacks. A devastating battle occurred at Berestechko on the 18th of June 1651 when Tatars betrayed Khmelnytsky and held him captive. An estimated 30,000 casualties resulted in this crushing defeat, forcing the signing of the Treaty of Bila Tserkva which favored Poland-Lithuania.
In February 1649, during negotiations in Pereiaslav with Senator Adam Kysil, Khmelnytsky declared himself sole autocrat of Rus. He claimed power extended from Ukraine through Podilia and Volhynia to Lviv, Kholm, and Halych. New statesmen emerged including Ivan Vyhovsky, Pavlo Teteria, Danylo Nechai, and Ivan Bohun. These officers formed a new elite within the Cossack Hetmanate. In 1651, Khmelnytsky approached Ottoman sultan seeking vassalship like Crimea or Moldavia. Most Cossacks rejected union with Muslim monarchs. By 1653, diplomatic activity intensified as Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich finally acted after threats of Cossack-Ottoman union. On the 18th of January 1654, Russian embassy led by boyar Vasily Buturlin concluded treaty at Pereiaslav where Cossack Rada accepted overlordship.
During 1648-1649, Cossacks under Khmelnytskyi's leadership massacred tens of thousands of Poles and Jews. More victims were handed over as yasir (slaves) to Crimean Tatar allies. In 1649 alone, Crimean Tatars plundered up to 70 Ukrainian towns and hundreds of villages taking as many as 40,000 inhabitants as slaves. Contemporary witnesses claimed members of Cossack starshyna directly oversaw this process acting on hetman orders. Events repeated in 1653 on even bigger scale when khan received permission to take 100,000 captives for peace with Polish authorities. Between 1648 and 1656, tens of thousands of Jews killed by rebels remain impossible to establish accurate figures due to lack of reliable data. Atrocity stories spread throughout Europe about victims buried alive or cut to pieces.
On the 22nd of July 1657, Khmelnytsky suffered cerebral hemorrhage after audience with Kiev Colonel Zhdanovich becoming paralyzed. Less than a week later he died at 5 a.m. on the 27th of July 1657. Funeral held the 23rd of August moved his body from capital Chyhyryn to estate Subotiv for burial in ancestral church. In 1664 Polish hetman Stefan Czarniecki recaptured Subotiv ordering exhumation according to some Ukrainian historians while others dispute desecration occurred. An expedition in 1973 investigated the church site discovering remains previously unfound. Syrian traveler Paul of Aleppo described Khmelnytsky as austere personality who used ordinary plates during banquets despite subordinates affording silver tableware. He was avid coffee drinker possibly learned during Turkish captivity and enjoyed smoking tobacco from pipe.
In Ukraine, Khmelnytsky generally regarded as national hero with city and region bearing his name. His image appears prominently on Ukrainian banknotes with monument in Kyiv center focal point of capital. A 2018 poll showed 73% of respondents had positive attitude toward him. However, prominent poet Taras Shevchenko criticized union with Russia as disastrous future for country. Poles called Khmelnytsky The Whip of God or Scourge of God comparing him to Atilla of Huns. Henryk Sienkiewicz's novel With Fire and Sword provided most notable critical portrayal though moderated in 1999 movie adaptation by Jerzy Hoffman. Jewish history overwhelmingly negative viewing Khmelnytsky like Haman or Adolf Hitler due to use of Jews as scapegoats seeking eradication from Ukraine. Between 1648-1656 estimated deaths range from 18,000 to 100,000 Jews including starvation and disease victims sold as slaves to Tatars.
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Common questions
When was Bohdan Khmelnytsky born and what happened to his father?
Bohdan Khmelnytsky's father Mykhailo died on the 17th of September 1620 during the Battle of Cecora. Young Bohdan stood among captured soldiers as Ottoman forces took him prisoner following this event.
How did Bohdan Khmelnytsky escape from Ottoman captivity in Constantinople?
One theory credits Krzysztof Zbaraski who paid 30,000 thalers for prisoners in 1622 to ransom Khmelnytsky back to Ukraine. Sources vary on how he escaped or was ransomed but he returned to Subotiv to resume control of his father's estate.
What events led to Bohdan Khmelnytsky becoming hetman in January 1648?
Eviction succeeded by early 1647 forcing Khmelnytsky to move with his large family to a relative's house in Chyhyryn after Daniel Czapliński raided his property twice. Unable to regain land or compensation Khmelnytsky traveled through autumn 1647 consulting Cossack leaders before being arrested by local authorities which preceded his election as hetman at the end of January 1648.
When did Bohdan Khmelnytsky die and what caused his death?
Bohdan Khmelnytsky suffered cerebral hemorrhage on the 22nd of July 1657 after an audience with Kiev Colonel Zhdanovich becoming paralyzed. He died less than a week later at 5 a.m. on the 27th of July 1657.
How many Jews were killed between 1648 and 1656 during the actions of Bohdan Khmelnytsky?
Between 1648 and 1656 estimated deaths range from 18,000 to 100,000 Jews including starvation and disease victims sold as slaves to Tatars. Contemporary witnesses claimed members of Cossack starshyna directly oversaw this process acting on hetman orders.