Aldaman-Gheza (Chechen: Алдаман ГӀеза (Aldaman Gheza); Russian: Gazi Aldamov) was a governor and commander from Cheberloy, Chechnya in the 17th century. Gheza is a very prominent figure in Chechen-Ingush folklore and is celebrated as a hero that protected the Vainakh borders from foreign invasions. Early life Gheza, son of Aldam, was born in the highlands of Chebarla, Chechnya and belonged to the powerful Makazho clan. Gheza, in his youth, was known as a courageous and noble warrior which is glorified in the Chechen-Ingush illi's (heroic songs). According to these illi's, Gheza's father Aldam was treacherously killed when he was only nine years old. At the age of thirteen, Gheza avenged his father and made his first serious "hunting raid" against the enemy and rescued his bride, Zaz (Yazbik) Anzorova, from the hands of foreign owners and subsequently married her. Administration The growing popularity of Gheza brought him to the Mehk-Khetasho (National Assembly) as one of the representatives of Cheberloy. Somewhere in the 1630s or 1640s, Gheza was invited to Mozaroy, Nashkha and was appointed as the Head of Chebarloy on Mount Erda-Kort. From this moment on, Gheza began his active political and administrative activities. First of all, as noted by the Chechen ethnographer and historian I. M. Saidov, he organized measures to strengthen the Chechen borders. Gheza immediately began to strengthen the lands of Cheberloy as he built several fortifications, including the stronghold Aldam-Ghezakov in his home town Makazha which was located on a strategic trading route in the mountains. The old stronghold of Khoy was also fortified and Cheberloy as a whole was reorganized and reinforced by several warriors from Nashkha (West Chechnya) and Ichkeria (South East Chechnya). These actions deterred any raids or invasions and soon gained attention from foreign powers. In 1649, the Russian governors along the Terek river reported that "in the mountains there is a special land called Cheburdy (Chebarloy) with over 40 settlements and the owners of that land are called Aldamov's children". Political career Gheza concluded several treaties and alliances with local powerful lords in Dagestan. In the 1650s, the Turlov princes from Gumbet allied themselves with the Chechens under Gheza. This alliance was mainly anti-Iranian (and their vassals), the treaty was signed by Gheza himself. The Turlovs were allowed to settle near the Argun Gorge in Central Chechnya and Gheza was gifted two fortifications in the Gumbet lands. The descendants of Gheza