Hacı I Giray (1397–1466, ruled circa 1441–1466) was the founder of the Crimean Khanate and the Giray dynasty of Crimea. As the Golden Horde was breaking up, he established himself in Crimea and spent most of his life fighting off other warlords. He was usually allied with the Lithuanians. His name has many spellings, such as Haji-Girei and Melek Haji Girai (; , ). He is said to have introduced the new state symbol, taraq tamğa, or "the trident of the Girays", which is derived from the scales insignia of the Golden Horde. A contemporary European source, The Chronicle of Dlugosz, described him as a person of outstanding personal values and a perfect governor. Origin of the Girays Milner (1855) tells this story. His original name was Devlet. He was called Haji although there seems to be no evidence that he had made the Hajj. As a boy, when his family was defeated, he was protected by a shepherd. When he grew powerful he asked the old shepherd what reward he wanted. The man replied that Haji Devlet should take the shepherd's name of Giray. His early ancestor was Togay Timur, a younger son of Jochi. The story of Girays begin with Öreng Timur, son of Togay Timur, receiving Crimea from Mengu-Timur. Haji's grandfather was Tash-Timur bin Cansı and his father was Gyyas-ed-Din (Гыяс-эд-Дин, Gıyaseddin). Tash-Timur minted coins in Crimea in 1394/95 (=A.H. 797), which might imply some degree of independence. During one of Tamerlane's wars (1395?) Tash-Timur was driven from Crimea. His sons Gyyas-ed-Din and Devlet-Berdi fled to Lithuania. Haji was born in 1397, probably at Trakai. The brothers supported Tokhtamysh against Edigu and in one of these battles Gyyas-ed-Din was killed. It is said that a servant of Gyyas-ed-Din hid Haji for six years. After Edigu's death in 1419 Devlet-Berdi and his nephew Haji Giray established themselves in Crimea. In 1427 Devlet-Berdi captured Sarai, but was killed by ‘Borak’ (?Barak Khan) Gaining Crimea 1428–1441 For reference, Haji was at 1428:Crimea, 1429?: steppe, 1431:Crimea, 1434: hostage in Lithuania, 1441: Crimea, 1442: steppe, 1449: Crimea. At this time the steppe was being contested by Ulugh Muhammad, Küchük Muhammad (Big and Little Muhammad) and Sayid Ahmad I, a grandson of Tokhtamysh near the Don. Barak Khan was east of the Volga. Crimea was held by the following: 1419: Ulugh, 1427 Devlet Berdi, 1428 Haji, c1429 Ulugh, 1431: Haji, 1434: Ulugh, 1437: