According to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan is the direct heir to the Golden Horde, a vast empire established by Genghis Khan’s eldest son. He made the statement while speaking at the international symposium «The Golden Horde as a Model of Steppe Civilization: History, Archaeology, Culture and Identity.»
«Our new Constitution, adopted through a nationwide referendum, clearly states that preserving the continuity of the Great Steppe and its thousand-year history is our sacred duty,» the president said.
Speaking about history, Tokayev emphasized that no progress is possible without preserving historical continuity, adding that Kazakhstan must, first and foremost, transform public consciousness to successfully implement reforms.
«From the perspective of statehood, our country is the direct heir to the Golden Horde, which made the ‘Mangilik El’ concept its central idea,» he stated.
Steppe Rome
Discussing the Golden Horde, Tokayev drew several historical comparisons. At its peak, the territory of the Ulus of Jochi exceeded 6 million square kilometers — significantly larger than the Roman Empire at the height of its expansion. According to the president, this is why some historians refer to the Golden Horde as the «Steppe Rome.»
«The Jochids ruled the states of the Great Steppe for more than 600 years, comparable to dynasties such as the Han and the Habsburgs,» Tokayev noted.
Dictatorship of law
The president also emphasized the legal culture of the Golden Horde, which was rooted in the Great Yasa of Genghis Khan and the traditions of the Turkic Khaganate.
«The rule of law was so comprehensive that the security of individuals and their property was guaranteed throughout the empire. This meant that order prevailed in society,» Tokayev said.
He added that the Golden Horde’s system of governance deserves thorough study, noting that it ensured the coexistence of different ethnic groups and religions by combining steppe and Islamic law.
