2025, vol. 13, no. 3. Mustakimov I.A., Abzalov L.F., Gatin M.S., Pochekaev R.Yu.

2025, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 523-542

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2025-13-3.523-542

EDN: https://elibrary.ru/DNZHSK

   BASQAQ, DARUGA, SHIHNE: THE PROBLEM OF CORRELATION.
PT. 1: THE INSTITUTION OF SHIHNE AND ITS EVOLUTION

I.A. Mustakimov 1,2* , L.F. Abzalov 2,3, M.S. Gatin 2,3, R.Yu. Pochekaev 4

1 Research Institute for Jochi Ulus Studies
Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan
2 Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University
Kazan, Russian Federation
3 Samarkand State University named after Sh. Rashidov
Samarkand, Uzbekistan
4 HSE University
St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
* imus2007@mail.ru

Abstract. Research objectives: To characterize the legal status of a basqaq, daruga and shihne in the Turkic-Mongol states during the epoch of the Mongol Empire and its uluses, as well as to prove of the authentication of these offices. Authors intend to clarify the basic rights and obligations of these officers and their position in the administrative structure on a base of legal monuments, official acts, chronicles, and historical works. The first part of the article is an analysis of shihne institution.
Materials and methods of research: The basic materials are historical sources including decrees of rulers, historical chronicles and political treatises as well as results of previous researches. Authors use structure functional analysis historical legal method, comparative historical and comparative legal approach, institutional analysis, critical analysis of sources and researches.
Scientific novelty: It is the first attempt at research of problem of correlation of the terms “basqaq” and “daruga” and as well as their Persian analogue “shihne” on a base of legal acts on the appointment for these office. Also, it is the first Russian translation of three yarlyks on the appointment of shihne from the “Dastur al-katib fi ta‘yin al-maratib” by Muhammad b. Hindushah Nakhchivani, which are studied using an interdisciplinary approach.
Results of the research: The authors find that shihne was a special officer who represented the interests of the ruler (sultan, khan, ilkhan) in the certain region. His functions included providing stability for the region while ensuring the loyalty of its population using different ways including forced and procedural methods. This office could function at the different levels of administrations – from the region (vilayet, ulus) to smaller settlements. The second, forthcoming part of the article will be devoted to the comparative analysis of the status of shihne with that of basqaq and daruga and the evolution of these offices in the Turkic-Mongol states.

Keywords: basqaq, daruga, shihne, Turkic-Mongol states, Mongol Empire, Mongol Iran, Golden Horde, Yuan Empire, khans’ yarlks, imperial administration

For citation: Mustakimov I.A., Abzalov L.F., Gatin M.S., Pochekaev R.Yu. Basqaq, daruga, shihne: the problem of correlation. Pt. 1: The institution of shihne and its evolution. Zolotoordynskoe obozrenie=Golden Horde Review. 2025, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 523–542. https://doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2025-13-3.523-542 (In Russian)

Financial Support: The research was carried out with the support of the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan within the framework of program-targeted funding (project IRN BR24992878 “Study of ethno-political and socio-economic history of Ulus Jochi in 13th–15th centuries”).

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Ilias A. Mustakimov – Cand. Sci. (History), Chief Researcher, Research Institute for Jochi Ulus Studies of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan); Associate Professor of the Department of History of Tatarstan of the Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University (44, Levo-Bulachnaya Str., Kazan 420111, Russian Federation); ORCID: 0000-0002-0052-5136. E-mail: imus2007@mail.ru

Lenar F. Abzalov – Cand. Sci. (History), Associate Professor of the Department of History of Tatarstan of the Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University (44, Levo-Bulachnaya Str., Kazan 420111, Russian Federation); Associate Professor of the Samarkand State University named after Sh. Rashidov (Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan); ORCID: 0000-0003-3952-6715. E-mail: len_afzal@mail.ru

Marat S. Gatin – Cand. Sci. (History), Associate Professor of the Department of History of Tatarstan of the Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University (44, Levo-Bulachnaya Str., Kazan 420111, Russian Federation); Associate Professor of the Samarkand State University named after Sh. Rashidov (Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan); ORCID: 0000-0002-7698-0450. E-mail: marat_gata@mail.ru

Roman Yu. Pochekaev – Dr. Sci. (History), Cand. Sci. (Jurisprudence), Professor, Head of the Department of theory and history of law and state, HSE University – St. Petersburg (3A, Kantemirovskaya Str., St. Petersburg 194100, Russian Federation); ORCID: 0000-0002-4192-3528. E-mail: rpochekaev@hse.ru

Received  26.05.2025
Revised  17.08.2025
Accepted  25.08.2025