The Rise and Fall of Khan Uzbek and the Islamization of the Horde

In this episode, we explore the reign of Öz Beg Khan (also known as Uzbek Khan), who ruled the Golden Horde from 1313 to 1341 and transformed it into an Islamic state. We trace his rise after the murder of his predecessor Tokhta, his consolidation of power through the execution of rival princes, and his decision to adopt Islam as the state religion—a move that reshaped the Horde's identity and its relations with Russian principalities and the Mamluk Sultanate. We discuss the construction of mosques and madrasas in Sarai, the role of Sufi sheikhs like al-Misri, and the implications for Orthodox Christians under Mongol rule. The episode also covers Uzbek's military campaigns against Ilkhanate Persia and Lithuania, the marriage alliance with the Byzantine Empire, and the economic flourishing of the Volga trade routes. Finally, we reflect on how Uzbek's policies set the stage for the Horde's eventual decline under his successors, including Janibeg. A nuanced look at a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in Mongol history. #GoldenHorde #UzbekKhan #ZBegKhan #Islamization #MongolEmpire #Sarai #Sufi #MamlukSultanate #Ilkhanate #Byzantine #OrthodoxChurch #Yarlyk #Moscow #Tver #Lithuania #TradeRoutes #History #FexingoHistory #BatuKhan #Kyiv1240 Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo