Prince Inal had established a strong empire in the fifteenth century uniting all Circassians, and
Abkhazians. However, after his death Kabarda was riven into rival principalities. Civil war ensued and Prince Idar emerged as the sole potentiate. During his reign, just like his predecessor, the Kabardian Circassians dominated the
North Caucasus in the late fifteenth century and early sixteenth century. They established diplomatic contacts with the
Ottoman Empire, and the Russians. According to
Shora Nogmov, Idar was the grandson of Prince Inal through Kirmish, the son of Inal's third wife. Zh. V. Kazegezhev, however, considers Idar to have been a great-grandson of Inal, arguing that an additional generation—Tabula (Tobulda)—should be placed between Kirmish and Inal. Tabula is mentioned in earlier genealogies compiled by A. I. Lobanov-Rostovsky in 1664 and by A. M. Pushkin in 1768. The family of Idar traced its descent from Inarmas, the eldest son of Tabula-murza. According to Nogmov, Idar was raised in the household of his maternal grandfather, the Bzhedug prince Elzher Khamish. As an adult, having already established a reputation as a capable military and political leader, Idar intervened in the internecine struggles among the Kabardian princes. In the course of this conflict, Idar assembled a large coalition army from several Western Circassian tribes, thereby strengthening his political legitimacy beyond simple dynastic claims. This coalition included the Bzhedugs,
Zhaney,
Kheghach (Khegayk), and
Makhosh. Although Idar's coalition emerged victorious in the ensuing battle, it failed to achieve a decisive result. The exhausted Kabardian side subsequently proposed a peace agreement, which Idar accepted. Under the terms of this settlement, Idar was recognized as the
Grand Prince of Kabardia. He obtained the right to settle wherever he wished within Kabardian territory, and the region under his authority, particularly the basin of the
Cherek River, became known as "Idarey". The Kabardian princes acknowledged his authority and agreed that any rebellion against his rule would be punishable by death. Idar died not long after these events and was succeeded by Saramirza, the son of Tokhtamish. ==Family==