Kazan Rebellion of 1552–56

The First Cheremis War or Kazan War (1552–1556), an uprising against Muscovite Russia, aimed to restore the Kazan Khanate which Moscow had conquered in October 1552.

The rebel armies mostly consisted of Tatars, Chuvashes, Cheremises, Mordvins and Udmurts. Some Nogays were also involved in the war. Independent rebel governments formed in Chalem and in Mishatamaq, the khan were invited from the Nogai Horde. Russian troops under Andrey Kurbsky and Alexander Gorbatyi-Shuisky opposed the "rebels".

At the peak of the rebellion Tatars controlled the greater part of the former khanate. However the city of Kazan, the former capital, remained under Russian control. Ivan IV sent major reinforcements to the Kazan area and harshly suppressed resistance. Deaths estimated at several thousands occurred.