The foundational identity of modern Kazakhstan is being rewritten to emphasize its deep roots in the medieval Ulus of Jochi, better known as the Golden Horde. Zhaksylyk Sabitov, director of the Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi, detailed this historical continuity in a recent interview to Kazpravda, noting that the nation’s new Constitution now legally recognizes the traditions of the “Great Steppe” as the cornerstone of its independence. This legal shift asserts a direct lineage from nomadic empires and the Golden Horde to the modern Kazakh state.
A medieval economic powerhouse
The Ulus of Jochi functioned as a sophisticated macro-region that ensured security and economic exchange from the Pacific Ocean to the borders of Europe. Sabitov highlights that the empire’s strength lay in its “economic and infrastructural foundation,” specifically its control over the northern branch of the Great Silk Road.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the Golden Horde managed dozens of large cities and over 100 infrastructure hubs that facilitated safe transit for caravans between the East and West. This model was not built on conquest alone but on mutual economic benefit, supported by a highly efficient postal and communication system and firm guarantees for merchants.
Governance through diversity
Beyond its economic reach, the Golden Horde is being studied as an early model of inclusive governance. Unlike states that sought forced unification, the Ulus of Jochi maintained stability by balancing the interests of a diverse population, including Turkic, Mongol, Slavic, and Caucasian peoples. Sabitov notes that the state’s viability was ensured by the central government’s ability to foster peaceful coexistence among various ethnic and religious groups.
Uncovering lost history
Modern research is challenging long-standing Western stereotypes that viewed nomadic societies as “civilizational peripheries”. By combining archaeology with numismatics and paleogenetics, the institute has discovered that steppe societies were far more organized than previously recorded in 19th-century historiography.
One of the most striking findings involves the sheer number of historical leaders. The institute has identified more than 150 Kazakh khans, many of whom were omitted from previous academic records. Additionally, historical maps suggest that the urban history of the region remains largely untapped. For example, a 1154 map by the geographer al-Idrisi identifies 30 cities within the territory of Kazakhstan, yet only two — Taraz and Isfidjab — are well-known to modern historians.
A global scientific approach
Kazakhstan is taking an unconventional path in compiling its new seven-volume academic history. While some neighboring countries rely solely on internal researchers, Kazakhstan has invited leading global experts from Russia, China, Turkey, and Europe to collaborate. Sabitov argues that this international transparency is a sign of “maturity and confidence” in the national historical school. By opening its archives and methods to a global audience, the project aims to transform Kazakh history into a respected international platform for understanding the shared heritage of Eurasia.
