Mukhsha Ulus (, Muxşa olısı, موحشا ﯘلىسى), or Naruchat Duchy (, Naruçat bäklege, ناروچات بەكلئگئل;, Murunza; , Naruchad Horde) was a subdivision of the Golden Horde in central Mokshaland, covering the territory of modern Mordovia, Penza Oblast and Tambov Oblast of Russia in the 13th to 15th centuries. Its capital was Mukhsha. The population consisted mainly of Mokshas, Mişär Tatars, and Burtas. In 1313–1367, they minted their own money. The population was mostly agricultural, some were cattle-breeders and craftsmen. The main territory of the ulus (district) was situated between the rivers Sura and Tsna.

History

The territory of the medieval Moksha kingdom Murunza was conquered by Batu Khan in 1237. In Latin sources, it is mentioned as Moxel (Mokshaland). The Russian Laurentian Codex mentions the name of the Moksha king, Puresh. "...in the year of the chicken, corresponding to 634, the sons of Jochi - Bagu, Orda and Berke, the son of Ugetai-kaan - Kadan, the grandson of Chagatai - Buri and the son of Genghis Khan - Kulkan engaged in a war with Mokshas, Burtases and Arjans and in a short time took over them." In 1313–1342, Mukhsha became the administrative center of Mukhsha Ulus and the residence of Öz Beg Khan. In 1395, it suffered the raid of Timur who destroyed the capital Mukhsha. In 1360, Tağay Beg conquered the ulus. It became a semi-independent Naruchat duchy. In 1367, Mamai conquered that duchy. At the end of 14th century, the duchy declined, and at the beginning of 15th century, the Russians conquered it. The Naruçat duchy was a place where Mişär Tatars and the Mişär dialect were formed.

Literature