The Circassians declared independence in 1836 (encouraged by the Circassophile Scotsman David Urquhart) and a national flag (green background, twelve gold stars, three crossed golden arrows, designed by Urquhart) was adopted as one of the symbols of independence. The looming shadow of Russia and her gradual encroachment into their country convinced many Circassians of the importance of tribal solidarity. Counsels of British “Envoys” in Circassia, especially that of Urquhart, were instrumental in fostering Circassian unity. The Northwest Caucasians established a (con)federation that included twelve tribes, nine of which were feudalistic and three egalitarian ones.
Concerted campaigns were mounted in which some notable successes were scored and many fortresses were reduced to dust. This period of co-operation and optimism culminated in the declaration of independence of Circassia in 1836, which event became a landmark in Adiga history. Ismail Zeus, representative of the “Great Free Assembly”, was sent to Turkey, Paris and London to solicit support. General mobilization was declared. The Circassian declaration of independence was published in 1836 in Portfolio (Full text of “Declaration of Circassian Independence, Addressed to the Courts of Europe”: [books.google.com/books?id=83YEAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA187&lpg=PA187&dq]). This was of particular significance as the Journal was closely associated with the British Foreign Office, and Circassia was shown as an independent country on the appended map edited by none other than Lord Palmerston, the British Foreign Secretary.
(A. Jaimoukha, The Circassians: A Handbook, London and New York: Routledge, 2001, p. 64).
Illustrations of the historic meeting of the Circassian princes on the banks of the river Ubin in 1836 to promulgate national unity and declare Circassian independence:
“Gathering of the Confederated Princes of Circassia on the Banks of the Ubin. 1836.” Drawn & engraved by John Bartholomew (1831-1893), Edinburgh. In “Caucasus & Crimea with the Northern Portions of the Black & Caspian Seas, IX. (with) Crimea according to Huot & Demidoff. Drawn & Engraved by J. Bartholomew, Edinburgh. (with) The Caucasus according to Prof. Dr. Karl Koch, with additions from other Sources by Augustus Petermann, F.R.G.S. Engraved by G. H. Swanston”, London, Edinburgh & Dublin: A. Fullarton & Co., 1872.
“Meeting of the Confederated Princes of Circassia on the Banks of the Ubin. 1836.” Drawn on stone by F. Sexton from a drawing by Edmund Spencer. In Edmund Spencer, “Travels in Circassia, Krim-Tartary &c.: Including a Steam Voyage down the Danube from Vienna to Constantinople, and round the Black Sea”, London: Henry Colburn, 1838, p. 270.