= Golden Horde = The '''Golden Horde''' was a partial successor state of the [[WorldHistory/MongolEmpire|Mongol Empire]]. Also known as the '''Crimean Khanate''', especially in later history. This state should definitely not be confused with [[WorldHistory/Cumania|Cumania]]. The ethnic group represented by this state is often referred to as '''Tatars'''; that name may have been borrowed from the otherwise unrelated [[Mongolia/Monarchs#Tatar_Confederation|Tatar Confederation]]. <> ---- == History == The '''Golden Horde''' was a military complex that effectively governed a large portion of the [[WorldHistory/MongolEmpire|Mongol Empire]]. [[Mongolia/GenghisKhan|Genghis Khan]] appointed his eldest son, '''Jochi''', as khan of this force. When he died, his sons inherited a split horde. [[Mongolia/BatuKhan|Batu]] became khan of the western wing and '''Orda''' became khan of the eastern wing. Beginning in 1229, Batu and [[Mongolia/Subutai|Subutai]] were directed by [[Mongolia/OgedeiKhan|Ögedei]] to conquer the [[Ukraine/Monarchs#Kievan_Rus.27|Ruthenian principalities]]. This was effectively achieved by 1240. The [[WorldHistory/Cumania|Cumans]] fled the conquest of Crimea, became refugees, and were welcomed into [[Hungary/BelaIV|Hungary]] as a nomadic military loyal to the crown. This prompted Batu and Subutai to invade Hungary as well. The conquest had already reached [[Hungary/Budapest|Pest]], and was preparing to shift toward the [[WorldHistory/HolyRomanEmpire/FrederickII|Holy Roman Empire]], when Ögedei died in 1242. The conquest was abandoned so that they could return to [[Mongolia/Karakorum|Karakorum]] for the next election. Eventually, a portion of the Golden Horde decided to abandon the nomadic lifestyle, and settled in '''Desht-i-Kipchak'''. This developed into a more formal state which, by 1441, came to be referred to as the '''Crimean Khanate'''. ---- == Structure == The Golden Horde was organized loosely. Firstly, the horde was in fact two hordes: the western wing centered on '''Sarai''' (which was probably located on the lower Volga) and the eastern wing centered on '''Sighnaq''' (in modern [[Kazakhstan]] on the Syr Darya). The western wing held nominal primacy but the sheer distances reduced any importance of hierarchy. Originally, the Golden Horde was a khanate rather than a khaganate. During the reign of [[China/KublaiKhan|Kublai Khan]], however, the Golden Horde became effectively autonomous. ---- CategoryRicottone