Orys (Urys) khan (date of birth is unknown – 1377) – is the ruler of the Golden Horde (1374-1375), Ak Orda (1361-1377), the father of the Kazakh khanate dynasty.
Biography
Orys khan is the founder of the dynasty of the Kazakh khans and is known as the glorious ruler of White Horde (Ak Orda). Orys Khan is known as Mukhammed in the Arab-Muslim data. In the medieval data, it was a man named Urus (Ak Orda – Aut) who started the khanate during “(7) 76 (12.VI.1374-1.VI.1375). Aibek Khan refused the throne because of him. The information was preserved that his name was Mukhammed and Urus was his nickname [1, p. 407].
The name of Urys khan is given differently in the literature. It was clear as Urus Khan or Orys Khan. The researcher T. Sultanov explains familiarity of the nickname of Khan as Orys was a phonetic form of “Orus” ethnonimics [2, p. 139]. The researcher Z. Khanayatuly writes him as Orys Khan too, and this nickname is associated with the appearance of the khan who looked like Russian i.e. having blond hair and pale face.
The date of birth of Orys khan is unknown. Particular attention was paid to this issue by Z. Kynayatuly who noted that “his father, Shurtay was ruling the throne in 1345-1361, began to consult him to take the power of Sarai, it was clear as a supporter and keeper of the independent policy of his brother Mubarak was acknowledged to his country, we can see that he was a political figure in the White Horde when his father’s alive. According to the Mongolian tradition to control army began with the age of 25-30, and to rule the country began about the age of 40. The Mongolian people have a great concept of “Doch Hursen er, dorov darsan at”. It means “a forty-year-old man carries a burden of the country, four teeth horse carries objects of house. It is defined that at the age of 44 Genghis Khan was the whole Mongolia`s khan, Zhoshy was on the throne of Zhoshy tribe at the age of 44, and all the four great kagan kings from that family took the throne under their forties. Although he was a hero, no man ruled the country at the age of 25-30. The sons of Orys khan (Toktakiya, Kutylyk Buga) attacked with army against Toktamys in 1374-1375. There is a possibility that Orys Khan could have died at the age of 50-55 (1377-1378) and sat on the throne at the age of 40-45 in 1361. Otherwise, he could have been born between the years of 1323 and 1325 [3, p. 242].
Another important issue in the biography of Orys khan is the khan’s origin. By identifying the origin of Orys khan, we can put an end to the controversial issue concerning with chronicle of the Kazakh khans. The researcher B.B. Karibayev was involved in the problem of the origin of the Kazakh khans: “When we find the right answer to this question, we will be informed about the history of statehood, politics, ruling dynasty in the East Deshti Kipchak area in the XIII-XV centuries, most importantly the history of the ruling dynasty of the Kazakh Khanate and the history of this dynasty in the territory of Kazakhstan in the middle of the XV century. We also understood that the founders of the Kazakh Khanate – Kerey and Zhanibek Khan – wherefore have been struggling to create a new state of the ethnic nature. There was noted that it is important for historians to study the history of the formation of the Kazakh Khanate, and to determine the origin of dynasty ruled the khanate” [4, p. 364].
M.K. Abusseitova said “Nowadays there are two opinions on the origin of the dynasty of the Kazakh khans. A group of researchers considered that they are occurring from Orda Ezhen”, and suggested that “the Kazakh khans are the descendants of Tukay Temir the thirteenth sons of Zhoshy” [5, p. 38]. The well-known historian Z. Kynayatuly said, “Forming of the origin of the Kazakh state by Orys khan and his descendants was a recognized truth in science. … Orys khan is recognizable as the father of the Kazakh khans. It was written that there are two-sided views in the historical literature on the fatherland of Orys khan, and was pointed out several historianson who support the written data based on every comment [3, p. 227-229].
The idea that the Kazakh khans distributed by Tukay Temir were supported by Sh.Ualikhanov, Sh. Kudayberdiev, Kubangali Khalid, V.P. Yudin, M.K. Abusseitova. And those who followed Orda Ezhen were V.V. Velijaminov-Zernov, Stanley-Land-Poul, M.Tynyshpayev, M.G. Safargaliyev, A.Yu. Yakubovskii, P.P. Ivanov, K.I. Petrov, B.A. Akhmedov, G.A. Fedorov-Davydov, K.E. Bosfort, K.A. Pishgulina, T.I. Sultanov, Z.Kinayatuly, B. Karibayev. Supporters of the idea that Kazakh khans were spread from Tukay Temir relied on Abilgaz’s opinion. In 1856-1857 Sh.Ualikhanov wrote: “The war started dynasty, according to Abilgazy, descended from Zhoshy’s younger sons, whose ancestors were Tokai Temir” [6, p. 162], Sh. Kudayberdievich showed that “The fourth son of Zhoshy was Tokay Temir, our Kazakh was under his control, and Abylmansur was the father of Abylay khan [7, p 51].
The information that Orys khan directly spread from Orda Ezhen presented in the works of Rashid al-Din, Muin ad-Din Natanzi, Gaffari and Khaidar Razi [8, p. 66-71; 9, p. 129-131; p. 210-211; p.214-215].
M. Tynyshpayev showed that the Kazakh khans, including Orys khan was spread from Orda Ezhen counting line of descendants according to the ancestral chronicle of Kazakh tradition, and confirmed “even in the Kazakhs, including Genghis, there was recall about an unknown Ezhen khan (some judges consider him to be his ancestor), and Tukay Temir was absolutely unknown to them” [10, p. 170].
Researcher T.I. Sultanov determining the tribe territory of descendants of Tukay Temir and Orda Ezhen and concluded that “Orys khan was the descendants of Orda Ezhen, the eldest son of Zhoshy” [2, p. 143-144].
The opinion that the Kazakh khans origin from Orda Ezhen, the eldest son of Zhoshy was proved by Z. Kynayatuly concerning to the data in Mongolian language. He supported the opinion of the origin of Orys Khan originates from Orda Ezhen, but also “not only the Arab and Persian historical chronicles, one of the most original Mongolian chronicles of the “Chingis haai yazguur torliin” (father chronicles of Genghis Khan) acknowledged it. It reported that the table of Schedule 5 in chronicle (cadig) Zhoshy dynasty of White Horde khan’s timetable was Genghis Khan – Zhoshy – Ordana – Kali (Kuli) – Buyan (Bayan) – Sasybuka – Abisan (Erzen) – Shymtay – Orys Khan, Orys Khan was the ninth generation of Orda Ezhen” [3, p. 228-230].
The researcher B.B. Karibayev supporting the idea that origin of Orys khan came from Ordaezhen, medieval written data on the origin of Orys Khan spread from Tukai Temir among Kazakh khans, defined the subjectivity of work including written data of the early years of the XVI century “Tauarikh-I guzida-yi nusrat-name”, and its author is unknown.
The researcher represented “misrepresent the origin of Kazakh khans began with the Shiban dynasty in Mauerennakhr and spread to Shiban dynasty in Khorezm. In general, saying as the representatives of Shiban dynasty belong to Tukai Temir descendants, “We are in excess than you”, means that they are trying to rule in East Deshti Kipshak except Muarennahr and Khorezm, and the Kazakh khans are less likely to rule in the East Deshti Kipchak territory. Thus, critically examining the chronicle materials of the “Tauarikh-I guzida-yi nusrat-name” is the misguidance of the fact that ancestors of the Kazakh khans were from the younger son of Zhoshy, Tukai Temir. It was concluded as we found out that researchers, who believe in deliberately misinterpreted information were wrong ” [4, p. 380].
In this way, the fact that Orys khan was originates from Orda Ezhen can be defined the chronicles of the Kazakh khans from Orys khan dynasty.
Merits
The life and work of Orys khan connected directly with the general history of the White Horde (Ak Orda) including the political history of the XIV-XV centuries of the White Horde, the struggle of strengthening the power of independent khans to the Golden Horde on the territory of the East Deshti Kipshak, and later by the intervention of the Ak Orda khans in the decaying Golden Horde then resisting to the Central Asian ruler, Amir Temir’s aggression [11, р. 103]
Historically and geographically, the steppe part of Kazakhstan that called East Deshti Kipshak was formed in the territory of the White Horde.
In this area were formed and lived states as the White Horde, then the Abulkhair Khanate on a local ethnic basis. The eldest son of Zhoshy Khan Orda Ezhen`s descendants reigned in Ak Orda. Their subjugating to the Golden Horde khans sitting on the throne of Sarai was preserved literally. Rashid ad-Din stated that the rulers of White Horde rulers considered themselves as “vassals of the descendants of Batyi khan”, in fact they were “independent kings of their own nation” [8, p. 66].
According to Rashid ad-Din, Orda Ezhen had a great reputation and respect, when his father was alive and after his death, though his second son Batu was the inheritor of Zhoshy. Even in the orders of Mungu-kagan was refered Orda’s name first. They (Orda Ezhene’s descendants) regarded Batu`s inheritor as their kings and rulers in spite of their tradition [9, p. 41-42], in fact, they were independent sovereigns of their nations. This was also confirmed by archeological monuments. Afterwards White Orda rulers began to issue their own currency (tenge) in Syganak city [12, p. 160-163].
The appearance of the White Horde was associated with the division of the Zhoshy tribe into right and left wing during Batyi. The right wing of the Golden Horde state was given to Batu, and left wing was given to Orda Ezhen. The Orda Ezhen’s brothers Udur, Tuka-Timur, Shingkur, Singkum occupied lands in the eastern and southeastern part of the country [9, p. 41-42]. The left wing was included tribe of Shibani the fifth son of Zhoshy as well [13, p. 62].
From 50-60s of the XIV century, tribes living in the White Horde, i.e. East Deshti Kipshak became familiar as “Uzbeks”. In historical researches it was recognized that the name “Uzbek” in XIV-XV centuries was not used as an ethnonym but was generally used as the common, political name of local Turkic people and Turkic Mongolian tribes. Therefore, the tribes founded by the people of the Deshti Kipshak in the first half of the XIV-XV centuries are known as “92 Uzbek tribes”. The exact list of these 92 tribes has been preserved in several medieval data. The researcher T.I. Sultanov, who thoroughly analyzed and summarized this data, gave a clear list of 92 Uzbek tribes and analyzed them according to several criteria [14, p. 26-51]. These 20 tribes as zhalair, konyrat, alshin, argyn, naiman, kipshak, kangy, mangyt, tabyn, tama, ramadan, uisin, teleu, kerderi, sherkes, kerei, oimauyt, kyrk, kereiyt were found in the tribe formation of Kazakh people.
Political unions of the East Deshti Kipshak of the XV century were – many small tribes in the first half of the XV century and the White Horde, Khanate of Abulkhair, Nogai horde, the Middle and Minor Zhuz of the Kazakh Khanate were almost identical ethnic composition. Their ethnic foundations were consisted of the similar Turkic and Turkic tribes of various proportions which no difference in the cultural, household, linguistic, and economic sides [15, p. 232].
In medieval data are often referred the names of emirs and beks came from the same tribe who were subordinated to powerful descendants of Zhoshy in these mentioned states and structures. Especially in the data are encountered the names of large tribes such as Kipshak, Naiman, Konyrat, Karluk, Uisin, Kerei, Mangyt [16, p. 96-98, 143-144, 146].
The White Horde was separated from the Golden Horde during the reign of Orys khan and became a private state. The “panic years” stretched to the 20 years in the history of the Golden Horde had aggravated political crisis. It should be noted that the separatist movements in the Golden Horde began to appear during the reign of Zhanibek Khan. Medieval Persian historian Muin-ad-din Natanzi reported that the khan of the White Horde Sasy Buka never denied participation in council and ways of subjugating to the khans of the Golden Horde during the 30-year of rule [9, p. 129]. The son of Sasy Buka, Erzhen, did not abstain from his obedience, even though the reputation was substantially the same with Uzbek Khan [9, p. 129]. And it is known that his son Mubarak Kozha’s attempt to achieve independence has failed. Although Mubarak Kozha refused to obey the descendants of Saiyn Khan (Batyi), his rebellion could not be supported by the people [9, p. 129]. Shymtai who ruled at the same time with Zhanibek, Berdibek and Keldibek refused to take the throne of the Golden Horde during “the panic years” [9, p. 129].
The protests in the western ownership of the Golden Horde during the 17-year reign of Shymtai khan in the White Horde led to the separation of Ak Orda from the Sarai. According to “Anonymous of Iskander”, the Ak-Orda ruler Shymtai, independently and personally ruled the former tribe of Orda Ezhen in the last years of his rule. Meanwhile, the White Horde became the independent state during the reign of Orys Khan of Shymtai’s son.
Orys after the death of father Shymtai Khan sat on the throne of Ak Orda in 1361. At the time of his father’s life, he began to engage in the political life of the horde. In the period of political instability, which took place in the history of the White Horde, the White Horde weakened and lost the main cities located along the Syr Darya. According to Muin ad-Din Natanzi`s informing, 751-765 Hijra (1351-1364) 8 khans from the Orda Ezhen tribe were killed in the Golden Horde. In 1361, the power of destruction Horde found peace for some time to the arrival of Orys khan. First of all, he stopped the internal disagreements in Ak-Orda.
During the disaster in the White Horde, the powers of the local tribal leaders – the power of the Emirs – were strengthened in the eastern Desht-i-Kipshak. For example, well-known researcher V.P. Yudin analyzed the data of Utemis Haji’s “Genghis-name” and determined that Jyr Kutlu the son of famous emir kyiat Isatay ruled the East Deshti Kipshak for some time during the reign of Uzbek Khan. The author clarified Utemis Haji`s information about this with the data of Kadyrgali Zhalayri. According to this information, Jur Kutty was owned the power for some time and he was died by the hands of Orys khan. That is why V.P.Yudin concluded that in the XIV century, the power of East Deshti Kipchak was in the hands of the tribal supervisor (byies) [17, p. 61]. By monitoring the further development of events, we will be convinced of the accuracy of the researcher’s point of view.
For example, Tokhtamys Khan trusted in tribes who supported him as shyryn, baryn, argyn, kipshaks of East Deshti-Kipshak and rebelled against Orys Khan who had power in the White Horde after Shymtai Khan. One of the reasons for this was the fact that Orys khan executed the rulers and emirs who refused to obey him. Among them was the governor of the Mangyshlak region, Taikhodzha Oglan. It is known that his son Toktamys had fled from a threat to his life after his father’s death and found refuge in Amir Temir. Toktamis, who relied on Amir Temir’s support in the fight against Orys khan, uttered by Utemis Haji’s words: “He was supported by ancient people came from Toktamis-Oglan’s ancestors as- shyryn, baryn, argyn, kipshaks” [18, p. 192-193]. Further, the author of the data emphasized that the leaders of the tribes sent a man asking Toktamys to rescue them from the pressure of Orys Khan [18, p. 192-193]. This information will help us identify the policies of the tribal community that has influenced the political power of East Deshti at that time. These tribal leaders were opposed to each other in the political power. That is why they fought together, contributing to the reign of Zhoshy’s descendants. So, the power and authority of the rulers of this period directly depended on the power and reputation of the tribes that supported them. For example, when the tribes who supported Toktamys did not move to pastures in time and moved separately from Khan at the time they agreed, in order to punish them Orys Khan sent a man to the tribal leaders to assemble. But most of them refute the distance from the migratory areas, and who was close to the location of the Khan Ordus refused due to the obesity of the horses [18, p. 193-194]. These examples showed that the tribes of the East Deshti Kipshak had a great reputation at that time in political life. Based on their advantages, they contributed to the policy of Zhoshy`s descendants.
As we can see, Orys Khan, on the way to strengthening his power, first of all he eliminated some Zhoshy’s descendants who individually reached to the power and the separatist ideas of tribal leaders who they support.
In the Muslim Chronicle, Orys Khan was characterized as a bold character, hard-working ruler. He used the worst situation around the Golden Horde to strengthen the White Horde and then succeed in subjugating the cities along the Syr and Volga. To this end, in 1367 he invited the noble goodmen of the steppe nomads, organized the great council and set the issue of the campaign against the Golden Horde. Most aristocrats of the White Horde supported the strategy of Orys khan.
Having received support from the participants of the council, Orys khan attempted to return under control the cities along the Syrdarya including the center of the White Horde Syganak in 1361-1368. In Syganak money made for the name of Orys khan. In 1368 he went to the Volga campaign. Until 1372, the northern part of the Aral Sea, Mangistau and West Kazakhstan were turned to his control. In 1374-1375 Saraishik, Kadji-Tarkhan (Astrakhan), Saray, Al-Makhrusa and Saray al-Jadid were captured and settled his power in the Golden Horde. During 1377-1378, several times the money was made for Orys khan.
In those years, when the glory of the White Orda was higher, the White Orda ruler emerged a new political rival when Taikozha`s son Toktamys ran away to Mauerrannahr and gained the support of Amir Temir.
Amir Temir controlled the political situation in the Golden Horde to strengthen his power in Central Asia and noticed the strengthening of his northern neighbor as a threat to his great power. He was particularly worried about the strengthening of Orys Khan. The reason of Amir Temir to support Toktamys was to strengthen his power in the throne of the White Horde and the Golden Horde through a puppet ruler who did not escape from his influence.
In medieval history, Temir knew that Toktamys had come to Samarkand, and he highly valued his arrival. Temir tried to do everything possible to show him honor and respect, and he spent a feast with the king. He gave him (Toktamys) and his companions an unforgettable number of gold and precious jewelry, weapons and cloths, horses and camels, tents and shelters, drums and flags, troops and solders and amount of presents that cannot be counted. There was reported that “He called him as his son in the sign of his honor” [9, p. 131].
Amir Temir did not only support Toktamys, but also gave him the “the gift” by allocating the Otrar and Sauran regions belonging to Orys khan.
The ruler of Sauran was Kutluk-Buka, the son of Orys khan. In the first battle army given by Temir was defeated. This situation did not violate Temir’s attitude towards Toktamys, and even a few months later Toktamys came to Syganak border ruling the army was given by Mauerannahr governor. This time he faced the resistance of Toktakiya, the son of Orys khan. Toktamys did not only lost, but also wounded and escaped by crossing the Syr Darya .
About further events G. Safargaliyev wrote as followings: “Orys Khan himself gathered troops against Toktamys. The preparation of the army of Orys khan was informed to Toktamysh by Edige, the son of Baltykshi who had been senior emir in the palace before. According to the data, Orys Khan told Temir: “Toktamys killed my son and went to your region. Give my opponent to me, and if you do not, then tell me the place where I will fight” However, Amir Temir stayed as a supporter and friend of Toktamys. Temir replied as “He has taken refuge in my country”, “I will not let him go, and if you tell me the war, I’m ready for it”
The open war between Temir and Orys khan began in the winter of 1377. The two armies, led by the rulers of the state met in the walls of the Syganak, but because of sudden change of weather two sides broke up without war” [19, p. 400-401].
In the spring of 1377 Temir went on a campaign against Orys khan, but there was no big battle, because Orys khan died. There are several opinions about the death of Orys khan. According to the medieval authors Muin al-din Natanzi, Gaffarri and Khaidar Razi`s information the Khan died with his death [9, p. 131, 211, 214]. According to Utemis Haji, Orys Khan died in a war while he accompanied Toktamys khan where fledgling tribes as shyryn, baryn, argyn, kipshak separated from Khan and moved [18, p. 194-195]. Analyzing these data, researcher Z. Kunayatuly wrote that “If we consider that in 1376-1377Orys khan did not take part in the battle of Sauran, Syganak which was among rulers of Mauerannahr and the White Horde and in 1379 during the final battle between Temir Malik Khan and Toktamysh that was in Karatal, the death of khan in the war was unquestionable. Many other writers wrote that Orys khan was not “died”, he was “killed”. To take into account considering the above points, “we recognize that heroic khan of Alash Orys khan was passed away by the God” [3, p. 243-244].
Z.Kynayatuly noted that, according to the analysis of opinions of other researchers about the place of death of Orys khan, showed the names of the land did not coincide with historical geography of wars conducted by the son of Orys khan Temir-Toktamys (1376-1377), Khantygali Zhalair’s information was considered correctly that Orys khan:“He died in the southern part of Kyshtam” [3, p. 244]. Further researcher says: «Orys khan’s arm reached Sauran in autumn 1377 and settled down distance to 7 fars farsaks from Temir-Toktamys’s army. Each of them was ready to fight. However, three months of heavy rains, snow blizzards, and strong freezing did not let them fight. In conclusion Orys Khan has been ill in this state, by the words of Muin ad-Din Nathanzi: “Orys Khan returned from the footsteps of the cold” [3, p. 244].
Temir-Toktamysh followed Temir-Malik`s footprint who was defeated in the Battle of Sygnak and after 13 days and nights they reached to the Zhiren reed of Balkash to the Orys Horde when Orys khan died and his power was given to his son Toktakiya. This period corresponds to the winter of 1377 or the early spring of 1378.
Z. Kynayatuly looking at the data about money was dedicated on Orys khan in M.G. Safargaliyev’s Hijra 779 (1377-1378), he was skeptical about the fact that Orys khan died later after the incident. He said, “It is impossible to determine the time of his death from the date of the money donated to Orys khan. It is quite possible that money can be made by the sons of Orys khan who replaced their father” [3, p. 244].
Toktamysh could not hold power in Deshti Kipchak during the reign of Orys khan and his son Toktakhiya. Toktakiya ruled two-months and untimely died, the rule was inherited by the second son of Orys khan, Temir-Malik. Toktamys, who relied on emir Timur’s support, gained power in the East Deshti Kipshak [9, p. 150-151]. It is known that later he conquered the whole territory of the Golden Horde.
Orys khan was not only a ruler who left a bright mark on history of the White Horde, but also as a person who has a special place in the formation of the Kazakh statehood.
Memory
Orys khan took a unique place in the history of the Kazakh people. In the works of all researchers and chroniclers, he was called the father of the Kazakh khans. Orys khan was described as mediocre as a person who owns all the pleasant qualities of a Muslim ruler. He has a memorable character of courageous, strong and powerful ruler, who has built mosques, madrasas and other buildings in his own country, established rights in the country, controlled the army during the war.
According to the data of Muzz al-Ansab, there were seven girls and eight boys from Orys khan. The names of his eight sons are as follows: 1) Toktakiya, 2) Said -ali (Seit-still), 3) Sayil-Akhmet (Seit Ahmet), 4) Tokta-Bulad (Tokta Bulat), 5) Tuguluk-Bulad (Togylyk Bolat), 6) Kutilu-Buka (Kutylyk-Buka), 7) Timur-Malik (Temir-Malik), 8) Kuiyrshyk.
Three well-known families spread from Orys khan`s dynasty.
1) Toktakiya`s family. This family originated from the first Khan Kerey khan and his descendants.
2) Temir-Malik`s family. The last khan’s descendants of the Golden Horde spread out (Temir-Kutylyk, Shadibek, Fulad Khan, Timur Sultan, Mukhammed Sultan).
3) Barak Khan came from Kuiyrshyk khan’s family. All the Kazakh khans, from the great Az-Zhanibek to Kenessary Kassymuly were the descendants of Barak`s family [3, p. 245].
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