~Koschei~
Sarai, 1333
The city of Sarai was founded in the mid 1240s by the Mongol Khan Batu, one of Genghis Khans grandsons. After raiding Eastern Europe and conquering the Rus city states, he decided to settle down in the vast steppes of southern Russia and build a new capital called Sarai on the banks of the Volga river. This would be the seat of power for much of the history of the newly formed Golden Horde, one of four Khanates of the Mongol Empire. After the death of Batu, his brother Berke succeeded him. Berke was unique as he was recent convert to Islam along with other Mongols who moved to the region. They were influenced by the many Turkic people living there and over time both would intermingle forming a new Turkic Mongolic group known as the Tatars. However the conversion to Islam was slow and wouldn't fully take place until the reign of Oz beg Khan beginning in 1313.
The reign of Oz Beg Khan was mostly peaceful compared to the instability that took place in the decades prior. He would still wage war against many of the enemies of the Golden Horde, especially the Ilkhanate, but would strengthen alliances with the Mamluks in Egypt, the Genoese, The Eastern Roman Empire and would improve relations between the Horde and the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. His reign also saw much prosperity as the overland trade routes that cut across Eurasia like the Silk road for instance, were still functioning. The "Pax Mongolica" (1250-1350) was still a reality despite the fact the four Mongol Khanates were divided and ever drifting apart from each other.
The Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta visited the city around 1333 A.D. where he described it as "one of the most beautiful cities full of people, with beautiful bazaars and wide streets". He also saw that it was a very diverse city home to not just Mongols and Tatars, but also Russians, Alans, Circassians, Kipchaks and even a few Greeks. He had previously escorted the Khans wife, a Eastern Roman Princess known as Bayalun, back to Constantinople in 1332 to give birth to their child. He was then ordered to return to recount his journey to the Khan. After this, he would continue his journey across "the world".
These good times would not last however as 15 years later under the rule of the Oz Beg Khans son, Jani Beg, the black death (which Jani Beg helped spread to Europe) would spread causing massive death and destruction across Eurasia contributing to the end of all four of the Khaganates of the Mongol Empire.
For a long time I have wanted to do a build about the Mongol Empire or one of the four Khanates as its a very interesting part of world history. I debated on doing a battle but opted to do a build showing the "Pax Mongolica" where for nearly 100 years, the Mongol Empire was the worlds superpower. I hope to do another build related to the Mongols very soon, maybe another "city build" in one of the other four Khanates. I also will likely build something related to Ibn Battuta as this wasn't the only city he visited. Until then, enjoy!
Sarai, 1333
The city of Sarai was founded in the mid 1240s by the Mongol Khan Batu, one of Genghis Khans grandsons. After raiding Eastern Europe and conquering the Rus city states, he decided to settle down in the vast steppes of southern Russia and build a new capital called Sarai on the banks of the Volga river. This would be the seat of power for much of the history of the newly formed Golden Horde, one of four Khanates of the Mongol Empire. After the death of Batu, his brother Berke succeeded him. Berke was unique as he was recent convert to Islam along with other Mongols who moved to the region. They were influenced by the many Turkic people living there and over time both would intermingle forming a new Turkic Mongolic group known as the Tatars. However the conversion to Islam was slow and wouldn't fully take place until the reign of Oz beg Khan beginning in 1313.
The reign of Oz Beg Khan was mostly peaceful compared to the instability that took place in the decades prior. He would still wage war against many of the enemies of the Golden Horde, especially the Ilkhanate, but would strengthen alliances with the Mamluks in Egypt, the Genoese, The Eastern Roman Empire and would improve relations between the Horde and the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. His reign also saw much prosperity as the overland trade routes that cut across Eurasia like the Silk road for instance, were still functioning. The "Pax Mongolica" (1250-1350) was still a reality despite the fact the four Mongol Khanates were divided and ever drifting apart from each other.
The Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta visited the city around 1333 A.D. where he described it as "one of the most beautiful cities full of people, with beautiful bazaars and wide streets". He also saw that it was a very diverse city home to not just Mongols and Tatars, but also Russians, Alans, Circassians, Kipchaks and even a few Greeks. He had previously escorted the Khans wife, a Eastern Roman Princess known as Bayalun, back to Constantinople in 1332 to give birth to their child. He was then ordered to return to recount his journey to the Khan. After this, he would continue his journey across "the world".
These good times would not last however as 15 years later under the rule of the Oz Beg Khans son, Jani Beg, the black death (which Jani Beg helped spread to Europe) would spread causing massive death and destruction across Eurasia contributing to the end of all four of the Khaganates of the Mongol Empire.
For a long time I have wanted to do a build about the Mongol Empire or one of the four Khanates as its a very interesting part of world history. I debated on doing a battle but opted to do a build showing the "Pax Mongolica" where for nearly 100 years, the Mongol Empire was the worlds superpower. I hope to do another build related to the Mongols very soon, maybe another "city build" in one of the other four Khanates. I also will likely build something related to Ibn Battuta as this wasn't the only city he visited. Until then, enjoy!