Historians Urge Broader View of Golden Horde's Legacy in Central Asia

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia's Tatarstan are re-evaluating the Golden Horde's historical significance, moving beyond older narratives to embrace its role in shaping national identities. Three historians discussed this evolving understanding during a podcast organized by Kazakh researcher Zhaksylyk Sabitov.

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There was a time when many Kazakhs believed their origins lay primarily with the Kipchaks or other earlier peoples rather than the Golden Horde. Today, historical evidence and the composition of Kazakh clans clearly demonstrate a direct connection with the Golden Horde.

Damir Iskhakov, an ethnologist from Kazan, noted a shift in Kazakh perceptions. "There was a time when many Kazakhs believed their origins lay primarily with the Kipchaks or other earlier peoples rather than the Golden Horde," he said. "Today, historical evidence and the composition of Kazakh clans clearly demonstrate a direct connection with the Golden Horde." He added that increased scholarly attention has bolstered the understanding of the empire's contribution to the Kazakh nation's formation.

Gaibulla Babayarov, a specialist in Turkic epigraphy from Tashkent, stressed the value of international collaboration in understanding the Golden Horde. "Each country has its own unique perspective, which makes discussions like this especially valuable," Babayarov stated. He pointed out that the Golden Horde is often mistakenly seen as separate from Uzbekistan's history, asserting, "In reality, the Golden Horde period played an important role in the ethnogenesis of the Uzbek people."

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Each country has its own unique perspective, which makes discussions like this especially valuable.

Babayarov explained that while most of modern Uzbekistan was part of the Chagatai Ulus, its northwestern regions were under the Golden Horde's influence. He estimated that nearly half of traditional Uzbek tribal groups trace their roots to the Dasht-i Kipchak region, a core area of the Golden Horde. "For this reason, the histories of the Golden Horde and the Chagatai Ulus should be studied together rather than separately. They share common roots and represent a shared historical heritage," he urged.

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In reality, the Golden Horde period played an important role in the ethnogenesis of the Uzbek people.

The historians also touched upon the Golden Horde's clan structure, which Iskhakov described as understudied due to limited sources. A key task, he noted, is tracing the evolution of a few original clans into the larger system mentioned in the Edige epic, which refers to the "Ninety-Clan Horde." The persistence of many of these clans today is remarkable.

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For this reason, the histories of the Golden Horde and the Chagatai Ulus should be studied together rather than separately. They share common roots and represent a shared historical heritage.