Siege of Sarai
Encyclopedia
The Siege of Sarai was a siege of Sarai, the nominal capital of the Golden Horde
.
both Dawlat Berdi
and Olugh Mokhammad sought control of the Golden Horde. Berdi, who was Yeremferden's son, found himself limited to the Crimea
. Mokhammad, on the other hand, held Sarai and had recently gained control of the Nogai Horde
, raising his status immeasurably. In addition, Mokhammad had defeated Dawlat's soldiers in several small skirmishes. In retaliation, Berdi marched on Sarai in July of 1420.
vassals, where he still held power, and Berdi's esteem within the Horde grew. however, this was short lived; only two years later Baraq
would defeat both Berdi and Mokhammad and take control of the Horde himself.
Golden Horde
The Golden Horde was a Mongol and later Turkicized khanate that formed the north-western sector of the Mongol Empire...
.
Background
After the death of YeremferdenYeremferden
Yeremferden , also known as Jabbar Berdi, was a khan of the Golden Horde from 1417 to 1419. He was one of the sons of Tokhtamysh who struggled for power after their father's death. His reign was marked by relative peace save for occasional struggles with Vytautas against Edigu and what would become...
both Dawlat Berdi
Dawlat Berdi
Dawlat Berdi , also known as Devlet Berdi, was a Khan of the Golden Horde who reigned from 1419 to 1421, and again from 1428 to his death in 1432. He was the son of Jabbar Berdi and a descendant of Berke Khan....
and Olugh Mokhammad sought control of the Golden Horde. Berdi, who was Yeremferden's son, found himself limited to the Crimea
Crimea
Crimea , or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , is a sub-national unit, an autonomous republic, of Ukraine. It is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, occupying a peninsula of the same name...
. Mokhammad, on the other hand, held Sarai and had recently gained control of the Nogai Horde
Nogai Horde
The Nogai Horde was a confederation of about eighteen Turkic and Mongol tribes that occupied the Pontic-Caspian steppe from about 1500 until they were pushed west by the Kalmyks and south by the Russians in the 17th century. The Mongol tribe called the Manghits constituted a core of the Horde...
, raising his status immeasurably. In addition, Mokhammad had defeated Dawlat's soldiers in several small skirmishes. In retaliation, Berdi marched on Sarai in July of 1420.
Siege
Sarai was poorly defended at the time and Mokhammad found himself ill prepared for an attack. In early August he mustered his forces and managed to break the siege long enough to escape. Berdi's forces subsequently occupied the city.Aftermath
Mokhammad fled to his NogaiNogai Horde
The Nogai Horde was a confederation of about eighteen Turkic and Mongol tribes that occupied the Pontic-Caspian steppe from about 1500 until they were pushed west by the Kalmyks and south by the Russians in the 17th century. The Mongol tribe called the Manghits constituted a core of the Horde...
vassals, where he still held power, and Berdi's esteem within the Horde grew. however, this was short lived; only two years later Baraq
Baraq (Khan of Golden Horde)
Baraq was Khan of the Golden Horde from 1422 to 1427. His father was Koirichak, grandson of Urus Khan who was also descendant of Genghis Khan. He took support from Ulugh Beg, the Timurid khan, and in 1422 he dethroned Kepek, Olugh Mokhammad as well as Dawlat Berdi, khans of the Golden Horde. And...
would defeat both Berdi and Mokhammad and take control of the Horde himself.