Posted on 02/24/2025 10:32:11 AM PST by BenLurkin
By 1259, following the fragmentation of the Mongol Empire after the death of Möngke Khan, the Golden Horde became a fully autonomous political entity. It absorbed and replaced earlier nomadic confederations, notably the Cuman-Kipchak federation, and established itself as a dominant force in Eurasia.
Batu Khan led the infamous Mongol invasions of Kievan Rus’, Poland, and Hungary between 1237 and 1242. The destruction wrought during these campaigns allowed the Horde to subjugate key principalities of Rus’, which became tributary states. Batu’s forces halted their European campaigns only after the death of Ögedei Khan in 1241, which required Mongol leaders to return to the empire for succession matters.
Under the reign of Özbeg Khan (1313–1341), the Golden Horde underwent significant cultural and religious transformation. Özbeg officially adopted Islam as the state religion, fostering its spread across the khanate. Islamization also shaped governance, with laws increasingly reflecting Islamic principles, and it strengthened ties with other Muslim states such as the Mamluk Sultanate.
After the death of Berdi Beg in 1359, the Horde plunged into a period of political chaos known as the Great Troubles. A succession crisis and infighting among the ruling elite weakened central authority. During this period, regional leaders, such as Mamai, emerged as powerful figures, further fragmenting the khanate.
By the early 15th century, the Golden Horde had fractured into smaller, independent khanates. These included:
Crimean Khanate: Became a dominant power in the Black Sea region and lasted until its annexation by the Russian Empire in 1783.
Kazan Khanate: Established in the Volga region and was conquered by Ivan the Terrible in 1552.
Astrakhan Khanate: Controlled parts of the Caspian coast and was annexed by Russia in 1556.
Nogai Horde: A nomadic confederation that persisted into the 17th century.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldhistoryedu.com ...
Thank you. Interesting.
If you are interested in this story, read Conn Iggununan’s Ghengis Khan trilogy. It is historical fiction, but he stays very close to truth. Fascinating stuff.
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