Mongols + Russia

THE GOLDEN HORDE OF RUSSIA

When Genghis Khan’s eldest son, Jochi, died in 1227, his territory was divided by his heirs. The western portion went to his second son, Batu, who subsequently led the Mongol campaign into Russia. Batu’s khanate, or area, became known as the Golden Horde.

Batu established his capital, Sarai, on the eastern bank of the lower Volga, near what is known today as Volgograd. He allowed the local Russian princes to keep their thrones as long as they paid tribute and homage to him. This system operated without significant resistance for more than 130 years.

Islam became the official religion of the Golden Horde. His reign from 1313 to 1341 became known as the golden age of the Russian Mongols. After 1341, a time of anarchy followed, during which the real ruler of the Golden Horde was a general named Mamay. With his defeat in 1380 by the Russian grand prince of Muscovy, Dmitry Donskoy, the Russians were very close in overthrowing the Golden Horde. Tokhtamish, however, stopped the Russians. He saw an opportunity to expand his domain in southern Siberia, the khanate of the White Horde, which abutted the eastern border of the Golden Horde. Tokhtamish was able to conquer Sarai. The final clash between Mamay and Tokhtamish resulted in a complete victory for the White Horde. Tokhtamish became khan of the Golden Horde.

In 1395, however, Tokhtamish was defeated by Tamerlane, and he helped unify Russia.

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