2021, vol. 9, no. 3. Kenzheakhmet N., Abu A.

2021, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 611-653

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2021-9-3.611-653

   SOME MEDIEVAL AND POST-GOLDEN HORDE’S TOWNS
OF THE ITIL (VOLGA) AND SYR-DARYA BASINS
ACCORDING TO THE ARABIC AND CHINESE MAPS

Nurlan Kenzheakhmet 1, Alpamys Abu 2
1 Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University
Almaty, Kazakhstan
nurlanken@hotmail.com

2 al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Almaty, Kazakhstan
alpamys79@gmail.com

Abstract: Research objectives: The earliest depictions of the towns of the Itil (Volga) and Syr-Darya Basins in medieval cartography are found on the Idrisi map (1154). The post-Golden Horde towns in these areas are found in the Jenkinson map and the Kunyu wanguo quan tu (Map of the Ten Thousand Countries of the Earth, 1602) by Matteo Ricci. In 1772, the Qianlong neifu yutu 乾隆内府舆圖 (Terrestrial Map of the Imperial Repository of Qianlong), which used modern cartographic techniques, enriched the geographic information of Central Asian countries and filled the gaps in contemporary European maps.
Research materials: Influenced by the map of Al-Idrīsī’, the geographic gaps and blind spots on the European maps were filled, reconstructed, and connected with the new world geographic knowledge, forming a relatively complete world map. At the end of the Ming and early Qing dynasties, a large amount of overseas geographic knowledge was introduced by Western missionaries who entered China.
Results and novelty of the research: The analysis of Arab, European, and Chinese maps made it possible to assess the degree of accuracy of their information about the post-Golden Horde cities of the Itil (Volga) and Syr-Darya basins. The authors managed to determine the geographical ideas of Arab, European, and Chinese geographers about Central Asia. Specifically, this article examined the place names of the Itil Basin (including Western Siberia) and the Qazaq Steppe (including adjacent regions) in the European-Russian imperial maps and in the Qing Chinese maps. Historical maps provide rich resources of knowledge that graphically encode information about the state of a fraction of the real world at a certain point in time.

Keywords: Al-Idrīsī’s Map, European maps, Qianlong neifu yutu (Terrestrial Map of the Imperial Repository of Qianlong), Itil Basin, Central Asia, Qazaq Steppe

For citation: Kenzheakhmet N., Abu A. Some Medieval and Post-Golden Horde’s Towns of the Itil (Volga) and Syr-Darya Basins According to the Arabic and Chinese Maps. Zolotoordynskoe obozrenie=Golden Horde Review. 2021, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 611–653. DOI: 10.22378/2313-6197.2021-9-3.611-653

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About the authors: Nurlan Kenzheakhmet – Ph.D. (History), Professor of the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University (13, Dostyk ave., 050010 Almaty, Kazakhstan). E-mail: nurlanken@hotmail.com

Alpamys Zhalghas-uly Abu – Ph.D. candidate (Arhaeology), doctorant, Faculty of History, Arhaeology and Etnology, al-Farabi Kazakh National University (71, Al-Farabi ave., 050040 Almaty, Kazakhstan). E-mail: alpamys79@gmail.com

Received  March 10, 2021   Accepted for publication  May 28, 2021
Published Online  September 29, 2021