Exploring Epochs of Sovereignty: Delving into the Past of Kazakhstan's Ulus of Jochi Institute
Kazakhstan's Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi Delves into the History of the Golden Horde
The Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi, a research institution in Kazakhstan, has been making significant strides in understanding the history, culture, and heritage of the Ulus of Jochi, also known as the Golden Horde. Established by the President of Kazakhstan, the institute is directed by Zhaksylyk Sabitov, PhD, and is an integral part of Kazakhstan's broader strategic and historical research efforts.
The Ulus of Jochi, named after Jochi, the eldest son of Genghis Khan, was a significant territorial division of the Mongol Empire spanning present-day Kazakhstan and neighboring regions. It played a crucial role in shaping the region’s medieval history and culture. The Golden Horde thrived from the mid-13th century to the end of the 14th century and was a mix of Turkic and Mongol peoples. It controlled vast territories in what is now Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine and influenced the political and cultural landscape.
One of the institute's notable achievements has been the discovery of medieval coins from the reign of Mengu-Temir Khan, a notable ruler of the Golden Horde. These coins, adorned with symbolic tamgas (tribal emblems) and Chinese hieroglyphs, have provided valuable insights into the area's complex historical interactions. Findings like these have led to plans for museums, underscoring the institute's role in uncovering and preserving historical artifacts tied to the Ulus of Jochi.
The Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi officially registered in April 2022 and has been actively engaged in research since then. Its primary focus is on the under-researched Golden Horde period (1206-1502) and the histories of the khanates that emerged after its dissolution. In 2024, the institute achieved substantial academic output, publishing 15 articles in Scopus and Web of Science journals, alongside 61 articles in Kazakh academic journals.
In 2026, the institute plans to undertake a comprehensive exploration of the Golden Horde. The research scope of the Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi spans from the emergence of the Ulus of Jochi in 1224-1225 to the rule of Kenesary, the last all-Kazakh khan, in 1847. The institute's inaugural project examined the histories of the Chagatai, Moghulistan, and Kaidu uluses.
The mausoleum of Jochi Khan is located 45 km northeast of the city of Zhezkazgan. By the end of 2024, the initiative produced approximately ten publications. The institute began receiving funding in February 2023 and is contributing to the third volume of Kazakhstan's academic history, focused on the Golden Horde, and potentially the fourth, which will cover the Kazakh Khanate.
Zhaksylyk Sabitov, in an interview with Kazinform, discussed the Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi's establishment, core activities, research projects, and notable achievements. The history of the Kazakh Khanate itself is also a key area of research for the Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi. The institute's work is instrumental in deepening understanding of Kazakhstan’s medieval heritage tied to the Ulus of Jochi and promoting further archaeological and historical research in the region.
[1] Kazakhstan Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi (2022). About Us. Retrieved from https://ulusjochi.kz/en/about-us
[2] Sabitov, Z. (2023). Interview with Kazinform. Retrieved from https://kazinform.kz/ru/news/2023-04-01/zhaksylyk-sabitov-o-vzjatii-v-golovnuju-roli-izucheniya-ulus-jochi
[3] Sabitov, Z. (2023). The Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi and the Golden Horde. Retrieved from https://ulusjochi.kz/en/blog/the-institute-for-the-study-of-the-ulus-of-jochi-and-the-golden-horde
[4] Sabitov, Z. (2023). The Significance of the Ulus of Jochi in Kazakh Statehood. Retrieved from https://ulusjochi.kz/en/blog/the-significance-of-the-ulus-of-jochi-in-kazakh-statehood
[5] Sabitov, Z. (2023). The Golden Horde and the Kazakh Khanate. Retrieved from https://ulusjochi.kz/en/blog/the-golden-horde-and-the-kazakh-khanate
- The Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi, contributing to Kazakhstan's broader historical research efforts, will delve into the political landscape of the Golden Horde as part of its comprehensive exploration of the ulus.
- As Kazakhstan's Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi deepens understanding of Kazakhstan’s medieval heritage tied to the Ulus of Jochi, its ongoing research may have implications for education-and-self-development programs related to general news and regional history.
