2026, vol. 14, no. 1. Shalak M.E.

2026, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 160-180

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2026-14-1.160-180

EDN: https://elibrary.ru/RBRETI

   RELATION-BUILDING BETWEEN THE GREAT HORDE
AND THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE AFTER THE TURKS CAPTURED TANA

M.E. Shalak
Southern Federal University
Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
shemjchich@mail.ru

Abstract. The purpose of the study is to trace the evolution of relations between the Great Horde and the Ottoman Empire after the arrival of the Ottoman Turks in the Northeastern Azov region at the end of the 15th century.
Research materials: This work is based on an analysis of Russian embassy books and chronicles, Lithuanian metrics, writings of Italian ambassadors and travelers, and the correspondence of the Horde and Crimean khans with the Ottoman sultans. The theoretical basis is the analysis of previous historiography on the designated research topic.
The results and novelty of the study: In the summer of 1475, the Turks landed at the mouth of the Don. From that moment on, the Northeastern Azov Sea region came under the control of the Ottoman Empire. But how did the Great Horde react to the arrival of the Ottoman Turks? It can be argued that at first the Tatars were wary of such a neighborhood and even made several attempts to conclude military and political alliances in order to oust the Turks from the Azov steppes. When the Greater Horde khans realized that they would not be able to cope with the Turks, they tried to get guarantees from the sultans of non-interference in their struggle with the Crimean Khanate. When this was not achieved, against the background of the disintegration of the Great Horde, the Tatars began to seek reliable protection and patronage in the Turkish Azak. Linguistic, religious, and – to some degree – cultural proximity played a role. Chronological framework: From 1475 to 1502.

Keywords: Great Horde, Ottoman Empire, Northeast Azov region, Azak, Ottoman Turks, Tatars

For citation: Shalak M.E. Relation-Building between the Great Horde and the Ottoman Empire after the Turks captured Tana. Zolotoordynskoe obozrenie=Golden Horde Review. 2026, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 160–180. https://doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2026-14-1.160-180 (In Russian)

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maxim E. Shalak – Cand. Sci. (History), Associate Professor of the Department of Philosophy, Institute of Management in Economic, Environmental and Social Systems, Southern Federal University (105/42, Bolshaya Sadovaya Str., Rostov-on-Don 344006, Russian Federation); ORCID: 0000-0002-5367-0169. E-mail: shemjchich@mail.ru

 Received  07.04.2025
Revised  12.02.2026
Accepted  11.03.2026