Dad briefly. Why did Batu Khan die?

Genghis Khan was the founder and great khan of the Mongol Empire. He united scattered tribes, organized campaigns of conquest in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, to the Caucasus and China. The ruler's proper name is Temujin. After his death, the sons of Genghis Khan became the heirs. They significantly expanded the territory of the ulus. Even greater contribution to territorial structure contributed by the emperor's grandson, Batu, the master of the Golden Horde.

Personality of the ruler

All sources by which Genghis Khan can be characterized were created after his death. The “Secret Legend” is of particular importance among them. These sources also contain a description of the ruler’s appearance. He was tall, with a strong build, wide forehead and a long beard. In addition, his character traits are also described. Genghis Khan came from a people who probably did not have writing and state institutions. Therefore, the Mongol ruler did not have any education. However, this did not stop him from becoming talented commander. He combined his organizational skills with self-control and unyielding will. Genghis Khan was affable and generous to the extent necessary to maintain the affection of his companions. He did not deny himself joys, but at the same time he did not recognize excesses that could not be combined with his activities as a commander and ruler. According to sources, Genghis Khan lived to old age, maintaining his mental capacity fully.

Heirs

During recent years The ruler's life was very concerned about the fate of his empire. Only some of Genghis Khan's sons had the right to take his place. The ruler had many children, all of them were considered legitimate. But only four sons from Borte's wife could become heirs. These children were very different from each other both in character traits and inclinations. Genghis Khan's eldest son was born shortly after Borte's return from Merkit captivity. His shadow always haunted the boy. Evil tongues and even the second son of Genghis Khan, whose name would later go down in history, openly called him a “Merkit degenerate.” The mother always protected the child. At the same time, Genghis Khan himself always recognized him as his son. Nevertheless, the boy was always reproached for his illegitimacy. One day Chagatai (son of Genghis Khan, second heir) openly called his brother names in the presence of his father. The conflict almost escalated into a real fight.

Jochi

The son of Genghis Khan, born after the Merkit captivity, was distinguished by some features. They were, in particular, manifested in his behavior. The persistent stereotypes that were observed in him greatly distinguished him from his father. For example, Genghis Khan did not recognize such a thing as mercy towards enemies. He could only leave alive small children, who were subsequently adopted by Hoelun (his mother), as well as valiant warriors who accepted Mongol citizenship. Jochi, on the contrary, was distinguished by his kindness and humanity. For example, during the siege of Gurganj, the Khorezmians, who were absolutely exhausted by the war, asked to accept their surrender, to spare them, to leave them alive. Jochi spoke out in support of them, but Genghis Khan categorically rejected such a proposal. As a result, the garrison of the besieged city was partially cut out, and it itself was flooded by the waters of the Amu Darya.

Tragic death

The misunderstanding that established between the son and father was constantly fueled by the slander and intrigues of relatives. Over time, the conflict deepened and led to the ruler's persistent distrust of his first heir. Genghis Khan began to suspect that Jochi wanted to become popular among the conquered tribes in order to subsequently separate from Mongolia. Historians doubt that the heir really strived for this. Nevertheless, at the beginning of 1227, Jochi was found dead in the steppe, where he was hunting, with a broken spine. Of course his father was not the only person, who benefited from the death of the heir and who had the opportunity to end his life.

Second son of Genghis Khan

The name of this heir was known in circles close to the Mongol throne. Unlike his deceased brother, he was characterized by severity, diligence and even a certain cruelty. These traits contributed to the fact that Chagatai was appointed “guardian of Yasa.” This position is similar to that of a chief judge or Attorney General. Chagatai always strictly followed the law, he was merciless towards violators.

Third heir

Few people know the name of Genghis Khan’s son, who was the next contender for the throne. It was Ogedei. The first and third sons of Genghis Khan were similar in character. Ogedei was also noted for his tolerance and kindness towards people. However, his specialty was his passion for hunting in the steppe and drinking with friends. One day, while going on a joint trip, Chagatai and Ogedei saw a Muslim washing himself in the water. According to religious custom, every believer must perform prayer several times during the day, as well as ritual ablution. But these actions were prohibited according to Mongol custom. Tradition did not allow ablutions anywhere during the entire summer. The Mongols believed that washing in a lake or river causes a thunderstorm, which is very dangerous for travelers in the steppe. Therefore, such actions were considered as a threat to their lives. The vigilantes (nuhurs) of the ruthless and law-abiding Chagatai captured the Muslim. Ogedei, assuming that the offender would lose his head, sent his man to him. The messenger had to tell the Muslim that he allegedly dropped the gold into the water and was looking for it there (to stay alive). The violator answered Çağatay in this way. This was followed by an order to the Nuhurs to find the coin in the water. Ogedei's warrior threw the gold into the water. The coin was found and returned to the Muslim as its “rightful” owner. Ogedei, saying goodbye to the rescued man, took a handful of gold coins from his pocket and handed them to the man. At the same time, he warned the Muslim that the next time he drops a coin into the water, he should not look for it and should not break the law.

Fourth successor

The youngest son of Genghis Khan, according to Chinese sources, was born in 1193. At this time, his father was in Jurchen captivity. He stayed there until 1197. This time Borte's betrayal was obvious. However, Genghis Khan recognized his son Tului as his own. At the same time, the child had a completely Mongolian appearance. All the sons of Genghis Khan had their own characteristics. But Tului was awarded by nature with the greatest talents. He was distinguished by the highest moral dignity and had extraordinary abilities as an organizer and commander. Tuluy is known as a loving husband and a noble man. He took as his wife the daughter of the deceased Van Khan (the head of the Keraits). She, in turn, was a Christian. Tuluy could not accept his wife's religion. Being Genghisid, he must profess the faith of his ancestors - Bon. Tuluy not only allowed his wife to perform all proper Christian rituals in the “church” yurt, but also to receive monks and have priests with her. Without any exaggeration, the death of the fourth heir of Genghis Khan can be called heroic. To save the sick Ogedei, Tuluy voluntarily took a strong potion from the shaman. Thus, by diverting the illness from his brother, he sought to attract it to himself.

Board of heirs

All of Genghis Khan's sons had the right to rule the empire. After the elimination of the elder brother, there were three successors left. After the death of his father until the election of a new khan, the ulus was ruled by Tului. In 1229, a kurultai took place. Here was chosen, according to the will of the emperor, new ruler. He became the tolerant and gentle Ogedei. This heir, as mentioned above, was distinguished by his kindness. However, this quality is not always beneficial to the ruler. During the years of his khanate, the leadership of the ulus greatly weakened. Administration was carried out mainly due to the severity of Chagatai and thanks to diplomatic skills Tuluya. Ogedei himself, instead of state affairs, preferred to wander in Western Mongolia, hunting and feasting.

Grandchildren

They received various ulus territories or significant positions. Jochi's eldest son, Orda-Ichen, inherited White Horde. This area was located between the Tarbagatai ridge and the Irtysh (the Semipalatinsk region today). Batu was next. Genghis Khan's son left him an inheritance Golden Horde. Sheybani (the third successor) was entitled to the Blue Horde. The rulers of the uluses were also allocated 1-2 thousand soldiers. Moreover, the number then reached 130 thousand people.

Batu

According to Russian sources, he is known as the Son of Genghis Khan, who died in 1227, three years earlier he took possession of the Kipchak steppe, part of the Caucasus, Rus' and Crimea, as well as Khorezm. The ruler's heir died, owning only Khorezm and the Asian part of the steppe. In 1236-1243 The all-Mongol campaign to the West took place. It was headed by Batu. The son of Genghis Khan passed on some character traits to his heir. The sources indicate the nickname Sain Khan. According to one version, it means “good-natured.” Tsar Batu had this nickname. Genghis Khan's son died, as stated above, owning only a small part of his inheritance. As a result of the campaign carried out in 1236-1243, the western part of the North Caucasian and Volga peoples, as well as Volga Bulgaria, were transferred to Mongolia. Several times, under the leadership of Batu, troops attacked Rus'. In their campaigns, the Mongol army reached Central Europe. Frederick II, then Emperor of Rome, tried to organize resistance. When Batu began to demand submission, he replied that he could be a falconer for the khan. However, no clashes occurred between the troops. Some time later, Batu settled in Sarai-Batu, on the banks of the Volga. He made no more trips to the West.

Strengthening the ulus

In 1243, Batu learned of the death of Ogedei. His army retreated to the Lower Volga. Was founded here new center ulus Jochi. Guyuk (one of Ogedei’s heirs) was elected kagan at the kurultai of 1246. He was Batu's longtime enemy. In 1248, Guyuk died, and in 1251, the loyal Munke, a participant in the European campaign from 1246 to 1243, was elected as the fourth ruler. To support the new khan, Batu sent Berke (his brother) with an army.

Relations with the princes of Rus'

In 1243-1246. all Russian rulers accepted dependence on the Mongol Empire and the Golden Horde. (Prince of Vladimir) was recognized as the oldest in Rus'. He received Kyiv devastated by the Mongols in 1240. In 1246, Batu sent Yaroslav to the kurultai in Karakorum as an authorized representative. There, the Russian prince was poisoned by Guyuk's supporters. Mikhail Chernigovsky died in the Golden Horde because he refused to go into the Khan’s yurt between two fires. The Mongols regarded this as the presence of malicious intent. Alexander Nevsky and Andrei - the sons of Yaroslav - also headed to the Horde. Arriving from there to Karakorum, the first received Novgorod and Kyiv, and the second received the reign of Vladimir. Andrei, trying to resist the Mongols, entered into an alliance with the strongest prince at that time in Southern Rus'- Galitsky. This was the reason for the punitive campaign of the Mongols in 1252. The Horde army led by Nevryu defeated Yaroslav and Andrey. Batu handed the label to Vladimir to Alexander. built his relationship with Batu in a slightly different way. He expelled the Horde Baskaks from their cities. In 1254 he defeated an army led by Kuremsa.

Karokorum affairs

After the election of Guyuk as Great Khan in 1246, a split occurred between the descendants of Chagatai and Ogedei and the heirs of the other two sons of Genghis Khan. Guyuk went on a campaign against Batu. However, in 1248, while his army was stationed in Transoxiana, he suddenly died. According to one version, he was poisoned by supporters of Munke and Batu. The first later became the new ruler of the Mongol ulus. In 1251, Batu sent an army under the leadership of Burundai to Ortar to help Munka.

Descendants

Batu's successors were: Sartak, Tukan, Ulagchi and Abukan. The first was an adherent of the Christian religion. Sartak's daughter married Gleb Vasilkovich, and the daughter of Batu's grandson became the wife of St. Fedor Cherny. These two marriages produced the Belozersk and Yaroslavl princes (respectively).

Genghis Khan's grandson Batu Khan is undoubtedly a fatal figure in history Rus' XIII century. Unfortunately, history has not preserved his portrait and has left few descriptions of the Khan during his lifetime, but what we know speaks of him as an extraordinary personality.

Place of birth: Buryatia?

Batu Khan was born in 1209. Most likely, this happened on the territory of Buryatia or Altai. His father was Genghis Khan's eldest son Jochi (who was born in captivity, and there is an opinion that he is not the son of Genghis Khan), and his mother was Uki-Khatun, who was related to Genghis Khan's eldest wife. Thus, Batu was the grandson of Genghis Khan and the great-nephew of his wife.
Jochi owned the largest inheritance of the Chingizids. He was killed, possibly on the orders of Genghis Khan, when Batu was 18 years old.
According to legend, Jochi is buried in a mausoleum, which is located on the territory of Kazakhstan, 50 kilometers northeast of the city of Zhezkazgan. Historians believe that the mausoleum could have been built over the khan's grave many years later.

Damned and fair

The name Batu means "strong", "strong". During his lifetime, he received the nickname Sain Khan, which in Mongolian meant “noble,” “generous,” and even “fair.”
The only chroniclers who spoke flatteringly about Batu were Persians. Europeans wrote that the khan inspired great fear, but behaved “affectionately”, knew how to hide his emotions and emphasized his belonging to the Genghisid family.
He entered our history as a destroyer - “evil,” “cursed,” and “filthy.”

A holiday that became a wake

Besides Batu, Jochi had 13 sons. There is a legend that they all gave up their father’s place to each other and asked their grandfather to resolve the dispute. Genghis Khan chose Batu and gave him the commander Subedei as his mentor. In fact, Batu did not receive power, he was forced to distribute the land to his brothers, and he himself performed representative functions. Even his father’s army was led by his elder brother Ordu-Ichen.
According to legend, the holiday that the young khan organized upon returning home turned into a wake: a messenger brought the news of the death of Genghis Khan.
Udegey, who became the Great Khan, did not like Jochi, but in 1229 he confirmed the title of Batu. Landless Bata had to accompany his uncle on the Chinese campaign. The campaign against Rus', which the Mongols began to prepare in 1235, became a chance for Batu to gain possession.

Tatar-Mongols against the Templars

In addition to Batu Khan, 11 other princes wanted to lead the campaign. Batu turned out to be the most experienced. As a teenager, he took part in a military campaign against Khorezm and the Polovtsians. It is believed that the khan took part in the Battle of Kalka in 1223, where the Mongols defeated the Cumans and Russians. There is another version: the troops for the campaign against Rus' were gathering in the possessions of Batu, and perhaps he simply carried out a military coup, using weapons to convince the princes to retreat. In fact, the military leader of the army was not Batu, but Subedey.
First Batu conquered Volga Bulgaria, then devastated Rus' and returned to the Volga steppes, where he wanted to start creating his own ulus.
But Khan Udegey demanded new conquests. And in 1240, Batu invaded Southern Rus' and took Kyiv. His goal was Hungary, where he fled old enemy Genghisid Polovtsian Khan Kotyan.
Poland fell first and Krakow was taken. In 1241, the army of Prince Henry, in which even the Templars fought, was defeated near Legnica. Then there were Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary. Then the Mongols reached the Adriatic and took Zagreb. Europe was helpless. Louis of France was preparing to die, and Frederick II was preparing to flee to Palestine. They were saved by the fact that Khan Udegey died and Batu turned back.

Batu vs Karakorum

The election of the new Great Khan dragged on for five years. Finally, Guyuk was chosen, who understood that Batu Khan would never obey him. He gathered troops and moved them to the Jochi ulus, but suddenly died in time, most likely from poison.
Three years later, Batu carried out a military coup in Karakorum. With the support of his brothers, he made his friend Monke the Great Khan, who recognized Bata's right to control the politics of Bulgaria, Rus' and the North Caucasus.
The bone of contention between Mongolia and Batu remained the lands of Iran and Asia Minor. Batu’s efforts to protect the ulus bore fruit. In the 1270s, the Golden Horde ceased to depend on Mongolia.
In 1254, Batu Khan founded the capital of the Golden Horde - Sarai-Batu (“Batu City”), which stood on the Akhtuba River. The barn was located on the hills and stretched along the river bank for 15 kilometers. It was a rich city with its own jewelry, foundries and ceramic workshops. There were 14 mosques in Sarai-Batu. Palaces decorated with mosaics awed foreigners, and the Khan's palace, located on the very high place city, was lavishly decorated with gold. It was from its magnificent appearance that the name “Golden Horde” came. The city was razed to the ground by Tamrelan in 1395.

Batu and Nevsky

It is known that the Russian holy prince Alexander Nevsky met with Batu Khan. The meeting between Batu and Nevsky took place in July 1247 on the Lower Volga. Nevsky “stayed” with Batu until the fall of 1248, after which he left for Karakorum.
Lev Gumilyov believes that Alexander Nevsky and Batu Khan’s son Sartak even fraternized, and thus Alexander allegedly became adopted son Batu. Since there is no chronicle evidence of this, it may turn out that this is only a legend.
But it can be assumed that during the yoke it was the Golden Horde that prevented our western neighbors from invading Rus'. The Europeans were simply afraid of the Golden Horde, remembering the ferocity and mercilessness of Khan Batu.

The mystery of death

Batu Khan died in 1256 at the age of 48. Contemporaries believed that he could have been poisoned. They even said that he died on the campaign. But most likely he died from a hereditary rheumatic disease. Khan often complained of pain and numbness in his legs, and sometimes because of this he did not come to kurultai, where important decisions. Contemporaries said that the khan’s face was covered with red spots, which clearly indicated ill health. Considering that maternal ancestors also suffered from pain in their legs, then this version of death looks plausible.
Batu’s body was buried where the Akhtuba River flows into the Volga. They buried the khan according to Mongolian custom, building a house in the ground with a rich bed. At night, a herd of horses was driven through the grave so that no one would ever find this place.

GOLDEN HORDE (ULUS JUCHI)

The Mongol-Tatar feudal state (in eastern sources, Ulus Jochi), was founded in the early 40s of the 13th century by Batu Khan (1208-1255+), the grandson of Genghis Khan as a result of the aggressive campaigns of the Mongols. The Golden Horde included Western Siberia, Northern Khorezm, Volga Bulgaria, North Caucasus, Crimea, Desht-i-Kipchak (Kipchak steppe from the Irtysh to the Danube). The extreme southeastern limit of the Golden Horde was South Kazakhstan(now the city of Dzhambul), and in the extreme northeast - the cities of Tyumen and Isker (near the modern city of Tobolsk) in Western Siberia. From north to south, the Horde extended from the middle reaches of the Kama River to the city of Derbent. This entire gigantic territory was quite homogeneous in landscape terms - it was mainly steppe.

The Russian principalities were vassals of the Golden Horde, established as a result of the Mongol-Tatar invasion of Rus'. Russian princes came to the khan's headquarters for a label confirming their grand-ducal power, sometimes they lived here for a long time, not always of their own free will. Here they brought tribute, the so-called Horde exit, and rich gifts to the Horde nobles. Russian princes with their entourage, Russian merchants and numerous Russian artisans formed a vast colony in Sarai. Therefore, back in 1261, a special Sarai Orthodox bishopric was established. There was also an Orthodox church in Sarai.

The power of the khan was unlimited. Surrounded by the khan, in addition to members of his house (sons, brothers and nephews), there were large representatives of the Golden Horde nobility - begi (noyons). State Affairs led by beklyare-bek (prince over princes), individual industries- Viziers. Darugs were sent to cities and regions (uluses), whose main duty was to collect taxes and taxes. Along with the Darugs, military leaders - Baskaks - were appointed. State structure The hordes were of a paramilitary nature. The most important positions were occupied by members of the ruling dynasty, princes (oglans), who owned appanages in the Golden Horde and headed the troops. The main command cadres of the army came from among the begs (noyons) and tarkhanov: temniks, thousand officers, centurions, as well as bakauls (officials who distributed military contents, booty, etc.).

The Horde was based on very conveniently located lands: the main route of ancient caravan trade lay here, and from here it was closer to other Mongolian states. Merchants from distant Egypt, Central Asia, Caucasus, Crimea, Volga Bulgaria, Western Europe, India came to Sarai-Batu with their goods. The khans encouraged the development of trade and crafts. Cities were built on the banks of the Volga, Yaik (Ural), in Crimea and other territories.

The population of the Horde represented a wide variety of nationalities and beliefs. The Mongol conquerors did not constitute the majority of the population. They disappeared into the mass of conquered peoples, mainly of Turkic origin, primarily the Kipchaks. The most important thing was that the cultural zone on the Lower Volga turned out to be so close to the steppe that sedentary and nomadic farming could easily be combined here. The main population of the cities and steppe remained the Polovtsians. Feudal law was also in effect in the steppe - all the land belonged to the feudal lord, to whom ordinary nomads obeyed. All medieval cities, located in the lower reaches of the Volga and its channels, were eventually flooded with water, and residents had to leave them.

Historically, this gigantic half-state, half-nomad society did not last long. The state structure of the Golden Horde was the most primitive. The unity of the Horde was based on a system of brutal terror. The Golden Horde reached its greatest prosperity under Khan Uzbek (1313-1342). After Khan Uzbek, the Horde experienced a period feudal fragmentation. The fall of the Golden Horde, accelerated by the Battle of Kulikovo (1380) and the brutal campaign of Tamerlane in 1395, was as quick as its birth.

In the 15th century, the Golden Horde split into the Nogai Horde (early 15th century), Kazan (1438), Crimean (1443), Astrakhan (1459), Siberian (late 15th century), Greater Horde and other khanates.
Capitals of the Golden Horde

1. Saray-Batu (Old Saray) (Lower Volga, Akhtuba river, settlement near the village of Selitrennoye, Kharabalinsky district Astrakhan region, Russia). The city was founded by Batu Khan in 1254. Destroyed in 1395 by Tamerlane.
The settlement near the village of Selitrennoye, left over from the first capital of the Golden Horde - Sarai-Batu (city of Batu), is striking in its size. Spread over several hillocks, it stretches along the left bank of the Akhtuba for more than 15 km. The city grew very quickly. IN early XIV centuries, it was the capital - with continuous rows of houses, with mosques (of which 13 were cathedrals), with palaces, the walls of which sparkled with mosaic patterns, with reservoirs filled with clear water, with extensive markets and warehouses. The Khan's palace towered on the highest hill above the bank of Akhtuba. According to legend, the khan's palace was decorated with gold, so the entire state began to be called the Golden Horde. And even today, in the area of ​​the village of Selitrennoye, you can find tiles with bright oriental patterns, coins of the 13th-14th centuries, fragments of ceramics, and clay water pipes. The city had its own ceramics, foundries, and jewelry workshops.

2. Saray-Berke (New Saray) (now the village of Tsarev, Leninsky district Volgograd region, Russia). The city was built by Khan Berke in 1262. Since 1282 - the capital of the Golden Horde. Destroyed in 1396 by Tamerlane. In 1402, the capital was restored, but could no longer achieve its former splendor and splendor.

3. Saraichik (Small Sarai) (now the village of Saraichikovskoye, Makhambet district, Guryev region, Kazakhstan). The city developed in end of XIII V. as a trade and economic center of the Golden Horde on the trade route from the Volga region to Central Asia (Khorezm). In 1395 it was destroyed by Tamerlane. Restored in the 30-40s of the 15th century. From the second half of the 15th century. became the capital of the Nogai Horde. Completely destroyed by the Russians in 1580, on the eve of the conquest of Siberia.

Chronological table
reign of the khans of the Golden Horde 1236-1481

The chronological table is based on the book by William Vasilyevich Pokhlebkin (1923-2000s), a prominent scientist who was tragically killed under unclear circumstances, Tatars and Rus'. 360 years of relations in 1238-1598. Chapter 1.1. (M. International relationships 2000). The table is the first attempt (according to the author) at historical literature to give a consolidated, complete, clear idea of ​​the number (number), sequence of succession, reliable names and period of power of all the supreme rulers of the Horde throughout the history of its existence.
This book contains a lot of interesting and important data. Unfortunately, it was published in only 1,500 copies. and is unlikely to be available to a wide readership. For greater clarity of the presentation on the Internet, we had to slightly change the appearance of the table, preserving all its contents

Thus, over the entire history of the Horde of 245 years, it was ruled by 64 khans, who ascended the throne a total of 79 times. Of the 64 khans, 12 were purely regional, sitting in their own fiefs (yurts), 4 were mixed (they came from the regions to Sarai) and only 48 were all-Horde. This statistics explains the discrepancies among historians in calculating the number of khans. The Horde was ruled twice by 10 khans, three times by Urus Khan and 5 times by Ulu-Muhammad (Muhammad the Great).

Average length of stay on the khan's throne for individual periods:
I. For the descendants of the Batu family, for the first 120 years of the Horde (1236-1359) - 10 years;
II. During the 20-year turmoil (1359-1379) - less than 1 year (approx. 9 months);
III. During the period of restoration of the unity of the Horde (1380-1420) - 2 years;
IV. During the period of division of the Horde into the Western and Eastern parts (1420-1455) - 4 years 4 months;
V. During the period of the Great Horde (1443-1481) - 13 years;

No matter how much the legendary Mongolian ruler Genghis Khan tried to conquer the whole world, he failed. But the founder of a huge empire had a worthy heir. Khan Batu continued the work of his great grandfather, leading the Horde troops in western campaigns.
It was he who conquered the Polovtsians, Volga Bulgars, Russians, and then moved his army to Poland, Hungary, Balkan countries, cities of Central Europe. The Golden Horde owes its prosperity and power largely to the leadership talent of Khan Batu and his far-sighted policies.

Illustrious Mentor

Genghis Khan (between 1155 and 1162 - 1227) had an eldest son, Jochi. He inherited the richest and most promising lands in terms of future conquests - the part of the empire located west of the Irtysh. That is, the future Golden Horde or Ulus Jochi, as the Mongols themselves called this territory.

Towards the end of his life, Genghis Khan realized that he simply would not have time to implement his grandiose plan to conquer the entire world. But he hoped for heirs: they had to surpass great glory Alexander the Great, whom Asians considered a god for many centuries.

However, Genghis Khan would not have been great if he had relied only on providence. This calculating man was accustomed to trusting only himself and his closest associates - the commanders loyal to him, among whom were real geniuses of military affairs. The most respected associate among the military elite and devoted to the ruler - practically the second person in the Horde after Genghis Khan himself - was Subedei-Baghatur (1176-1248). It was to him that the ruler entrusted an important mission: to prepare a future successor.

Subedei (Subudai - depends on the pronunciation) was the person without whom the Mongols could not have conquered half the world. The son of a simple blacksmith from the Uriankhai tribe went down in history as one of the greatest military strategists of all times. Suffice it to say that Napoleon Bonaparte highly appreciated his undoubted military talent. The commander was highly respected in the Horde; the army trusted him infinitely. Subedei-Baghatur also used his authority in politics.

Why, when determining the future conqueror, did Genghis Khan choose young Batu, and not his older brother Ordu-Ichin (Ordu-Eugene) or one of the other heirs? Now it is difficult to answer this question unambiguously. Of course, the sons of Jochi, who was never personally interested in military affairs, had priority. Maybe Orda-Ichin was not old enough to study, so Subedei-bagatur became the mentor of Batu, who was born between 1205 and 1209 - exact date medieval chronicles do not indicate.

As history has shown, the mentor coped with his task, preparing a great commander and ruler.

Choice between heirs

It so happened that in 1227 Batu lost both his father and grandfather. The circumstances of the death of both are quite controversial; some historians believe that the rulers were poisoned, because the throne of a huge empire is too big a stake to worry about family ties. A fierce struggle for the throne began in the Horde. The sons of Genghis Khan and his many grandchildren disputed vast possessions with each other.

The throne of the empire was taken by Ogedei (Ögedei) - one of younger brothers Jochi Khan. A promising lands in the west went to Batu. The Mongol army, renowned in battle, unconditionally recognized this young man as its new leader, of course, with the direct support of the authoritative Subedei-bagatur.

However, Batu’s elder brother, Orda-Ichin, did not lose out. He received most Ulus Jochi: everyone is rich eastern lands, including cities of Central Asia. But Batu, who shared the western part of his father’s possessions with his younger brothers, still had to conquer his empire.

In 1235, a national kurultai (congress of official representatives of all uluses) took place in Mongolia. The clan nobility and the army elite decided to resume their campaigns of conquest in westward. This important task was entrusted to Batu, and the above-mentioned Subedei-bagatur was appointed to him right hand. Famous commander participated in all the battles of Genghis Khan, he also accompanied Batu in new campaigns.

Successful commander

Great western campaign Mongols began in 1236. He was also joined by the troops of Batu’s cousins ​​- Munke, Guyuk and other descendants of Genghis Khan. First, the Polovtsians were defeated, then Volga Bulgaria was forcibly annexed to the empire.

Rus', fragmented into feudal plots, was also unable to repel the invaders. The squads of the princes simply went out “for a fair fight” in an open field, as they were used to - according to the rules of military affairs of Eastern Europe. The Mongols acted completely differently. They attacked with light cavalry, disorienting and gradually exhausting their opponents, shooting from bows, hiding behind covers. Batu valued his experienced and trained troops, which were well equipped. Captured Chinese engineers built for the Mongolian army unprecedented mechanisms for that time - battering guns, with the help of which it was possible to throw stones weighing up to 150-160 kg over several hundred meters. These machines destroyed fortress walls.

Batu's military strategy was unusual for residents European countries. His troops could attack in the middle of the night to achieve the effect of surprise. Mongol army moved quickly, trying to completely destroy the enemy army, so as not to give the enemy the opportunity to regroup for a new blow.

Ryazan and Vladimir fell in 1238, Kyiv in 1240. After the conquest of Rus', the troops of Guyuk and Mongke returned back to Mongolia. Further advance to the west was solely the initiative of Batu himself. His army captured Alania, Poland, Moravia, Silesia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Serbia, and Dalmatia. In 1242, Batu's troops ended up in Saxony, but were soon forced to turn back. The news reached them about the death of Khan Ogedei and the convening of the next kurultai. The army returned and settled in the Lower Volga region.

Skillful politician

Supreme power in the empire went to Guyuk, Batu’s cousin, with whom he did not have a good relationship. Started new fight for the throne, internecine strife reached unprecedented heights.

Offended by Batu's insubordination, in 1948 Guyuk and his army went to the Lower Volga to severely punish his relative. But in the Samarkand region Supreme ruler empire died suddenly. There were rumors that he was poisoned by political opponents, although no one proved anything.

Meanwhile, Batu firmly established himself on his lands; around 1250, on the territory of the modern Astrakhan region, he founded the capital of the Golden Horde - the city of Sarai-Batu. Huge conquests gave impetus to the development of the state; looted goods and captured slaves contributed to economic growth. Rich gifts from vassals vying for the commander's favor marked the beginning of legendary wealth. And where there is money, there is power, influence, and recruits ready to join the winning army.

Other descendants of Genghis Khan had to reckon with the great conqueror. In 1251, Batu was proposed to become the next ruler of the empire at the kurultai. But he refused such an honor, he was more interested in strengthening own state. Then Munke, loyal to Batu, took the throne cousin. However, in order to support his protege, the ruler of the Golden Horde was forced to send troops to Mongolia.

Batu always demonstrated his submission to Munka, although in fact he decided everything personally. Hold political influence, skillfully attracting to your side the right people, the ruler of the Golden Horde was always helped by an extensive network of spies. And if one of the Russian princes was thinking of organizing resistance, the punitive detachments of the Horde managed to do it earlier. For example, in 1252 the troops were defeated Prince of Vladimir Andrey Yaroslavich and Daniil Romanovich Galitsky. But Batu favored Alexander Nevsky and obviously valued him as a military leader and strategist.

Anyway, great conqueror died 1255. Some sources say that he was poisoned, according to others, the khan was overcome by rheumatism. Both Batu's eldest son, whose name was Sartak, and his grandson Ulagchi soon left this world under very suspicious circumstances. And power in the Golden Horde was seized by Berke, one of the younger brothers of the late ruler, another son of Jochi Khan.

TO historical heritage Batu, like the conquests of Genghis Khan, can be treated differently. Being a skilled politician and strategist, possessing an undeniable talent as a military leader, the first ruler of the Golden Horde was a cruel, power-hungry and calculating man. Just like his legendary grandfather.

BATY, BATU Gemstone. According to N.A. Baskakov, the name Batu is based on the Mongolian word bata, meaning strong, healthy; reliable, constant. The name of the Khan of the Golden Horde. Tatar, Turkic, Muslim male names. Dictionary… … Dictionary of personal names

The grandson of Genghis Khan serves as the hero of several legends, bearing the same title: The Murder of the Prince. Mikhail of Chernigov and his boyar Fedor in the horde from Batu, second: Batu’s invasion. The name Batu has also passed on to popular poetry, for example. one of the epics... ... Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

- (Batu) (1208 55), Mongol khan, grandson of Genghis Khan. The leader of the conquest campaign in the Eastern and Central Europe(1236 43). Destroyed the cultural centers of the Northeast and South Western Rus'. From 1243 Khan of the Golden Horde... Modern encyclopedia

- (Batu) (1208 55) Mongol khan, grandson of Genghis Khan. The leader of the all-Mongol campaign in the East. and Center. Europe (1236 43), from 1243 Khan of the Golden Horde... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Batu, Khan of the Golden Horde, son of Dyaguchi and grandson of Temujin, died in 1255. According to the division made by Temuchin in 1224, the eldest son, Dyaguchi, inherited the Kipchak steppe, Khiva, part of the Caucasus, Crimea and Russia. Without doing anything to actually... Biographical Dictionary

Batu- (Batu Khan), famous Mongolian Tatar. podk., son of Jochi, grandson of Genghis Khan, to whose father, according to the will of his grandfather, the conquest of the West fell. (European) regions of Genghis Khan's possessions. With the death of Genghis Khan (1227), he was succeeded in Mongolia by... Military encyclopedia

Batu- (Batu) (1208 55), Mongol khan, grandson of Genghis Khan. Leader of the conquest in Eastern and Central Europe (1236 43). He destroyed the cultural centers of North-Eastern and South-Western Rus'. Since 1243 Khan of the Golden Horde. ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

- (Batu) (1208 1255), Mongol khan, grandson of Genghis Khan. Leader of the all-Mongol campaign in Eastern and Central Europe (1236-43), Khan of the Golden Horde from 1243. * * * BATY BATY (Batu Khan, Sain Khan) (1207 1255), Mongol Khan, second son of Jochi... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Batu- BATY, Batu, Sain Khan (Mongolian good sovereign) (c. 1207 1256), khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, 2nd son of Jochi. After the death of his father in 1227, B. inherited his ulus, which included the territory. west of the Urals, which still had to be conquered. In 1235 B. in chief... ... Russian humanitarian encyclopedic dictionary

Batu, c (1208 1255), Mongol khan, son of Jochi, grandson of Genghis Khan. After the death of his father (1227), he became the head of Jochi Ulus. Having conquered Desht and Kipchak (Polovtsian steppe) (1236), he led a campaign to Eastern Europe (1237 43), accompanied by a massive... ... Big Soviet encyclopedia

Books

• Batu, Yan Vasily Grigorievich. The legendary Genghis Khan has died, but his grandson Batu intends to continue conquest to the West, and Rus' is an obstacle. “To become strong, you must firmly follow the path of great daring... and...