Naiman-Beg

Who is Naiman-Beg?

Naiman-Beg, Tatar prince, ancestor of many Lipka Tatar families.

It is not known what was his real name - the expression "Naiman Beg" is not a name but a title that means "Prince of Naimans". This title implies that he was relative to khan dynasty ruling in Mongol Empire.

It is probable that Naiman Beg was a descendant of Djebe, one of Genghis Khan's chief commanders, that defeated Naimans and incorporated them to the Genghis Khan’s Empire at the beginning of 13th century. For this deed he was rewarded just with a hereditary title of "Naiman Beg" as it was practiced in Mongol Empire.

Naiman Beg came to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania at the beginning of 15th century as a member of an excellent fellowship of Tatar nobility under the command of Jalal ad-Din, the future khan of the Golden Horde. They came to help the Lithuanian Grand Prince Vytautas the Great in his war against the Teutonic Knights. They took part in the famous Grunwald Battle of July 15, 1410, then most of them settled in Lithuania and served as soldiers organized in troops, called up in need by Lithuanian rulers.

The body of warriors led by Naiman Beg was so large that if gave the beginning to two military units: "Naiman Flag" and "Kongrat Flag". Sons of Naiman Beg and later their male descendants were "flag holders" of these units - their commanders.