Astrakhan Khanate was founded in the city of Astrahan where the Idyll (Volga) River flowed into the Caspian Sea. The original name of Astrakhan City was Hajji Tarhan. This khanate that was founded by Kasim Khan who was the grandson of Little Muhammed, one of the khans of the Golden Horde State could only remain independent for 91 years.
The region of Astrakhan constituted a natural passage between the Central Asia and the Southeastern European steppe lands. Therefore, it had suffered from the raids of Turkish tribes that oriented from the east towards the west and it had been a stage of several stages that were founded by these tribes. In this region, we have found the Bulgarians in the century V, the Khazar people in the centuries VII-X, the Pecenek people in the century X, and Kuman People in the century XI. Finally, we have observed that a great nation under the name of the Golden Horde State was established in this region upon the arrival of a new and strong wave under the guidance of the Mongolians since the century XIII.
Towards the end of the century XV, the central government had become attenuated. Upon this event, Kazan and Crimean khanates were established in the regions of the Golden Horde State that had to dissolve. Furthermore, the Astrakhan Khanate was established by Kasim Khan, son of Mahmud who was the son of Little Muhammed with the capital city of Astrakhan next to the Nogay Orda (1466). Due to its location on the most important trade route and its wealth, this Turkish khanate attracted the attention of the neighbouring states and the nomadic tribes. Therefore, this Turkish khanate could not find a permanent external stability since it was subject to continuous attacks. Thus, it could not have a strong and stable existence. Most of its people were nomadic tribes. Their domination by their beys rather than the central government was another reason that caused the decline of the Khanate.
Astrakhan Khanate led a relatively peaceful life in the periods of Kâsim Khan (1466-1490) and his brother, Abdülkerim Khan (1499-1504) with the capital city of Saray through the provision of the collaboration with their uncle that dominated in most of the regions of the former Golden Horde State. However, particularly after the destruction of Saray by Crimean Khan, Mengli Giray, the last periods of the state passed with great struggles that were attempted by the neighbouring Crimean Khanate (1502) and the Bogay Orda in order to establish their influence in this region. The frequent change of the khans clearly indicates the fact that these struggles had undermined the internal state and conditions very much.
Russian Tsar, Ivan IV defeated the forces of Kazan Khanate and captured Kazan (1552). Pursuant to these events, he dispatched soldiers towards Astrahan and he enthroned Sheikh Haydar's son, Dervish Khan as the subject vassal of him (1554). However, upon the collaboration of Dervish Khan with the Crimean people against the Russians, he dispatched soldiers again towards them and annexed Astrakhan Khanate to the lands of the Tsardom (1557). Dervish Khan ran away and took shelter in the castle of Azov.
Both the Turkish forces, Crimea and Turkey had understood that the advance of Russians towards these regions and their positioning in the rear of the Turks would not result in a positive manner and they tried to preserve the most important regions under the dominion of Turks. However, the lack of the provision of the united forces, these attempts oriented towards the aforesaid purpose fell short. Therefore, the military expedition that Kanuni Suleyman wanted to organise in the year of 1563 could not be accomplished due to the interference of Malta expedition.