The Tatar-Mongol invasion

The Tatar-Mongol invasion of Russia left a significant mark in the history of the country. Even now, many centuries later, historians continue to study this difficult period, the main characteristics of which were slavery and bloodshed. The prolonged yoke of the Golden Horde was a significant historical event primarily because it lasted almost two and a half centuries. The Tatar-Mongol invasion began in the 13th century, at its very beginning. The first battle between the Russians and the Mongols occurred in 1223 on the Kalka River. In this battle, the Russian army was completely defeated by the steppe people, and six Russian princes fell on the battlefield.

The dominance of another faith and culture over a long period of time left not only a significant trace in the history of Rus, but also determined its further historical development. What was the Russian state in those days? How did it happen that large territories fell under the rule of the Tatars and the Mongols? Historians repeatedly return to the study of this issue and unequivocally agree in one: the unwillingness of the then large principalities to unite in one powerful state allowed them to become easy prey for the nomads' armada. The Tatar-Mongol invasion, having received no adequate resistance, managed to capture the vast territories of Russia.

In large Russian cities there were about 20-30 thousand inhabitants. At the siege, they could allocate up to 10,000 armed defenders. Cities mostly defended themselves, alone and invaders, moving the army, the number of 60-70 thousand, without any difficulty in just a few days occupied them, establishing everywhere their order.

The Tatar-Mongol invasion very quickly led to the fact that a different order was established on the territory of Rus. So, for example, Russian princes regularly went on a bow to the Horde and left their children there as hostages. The Khans issued special labels to the princes, which meant a certain right to the principality, which operated until the second half of the fourteenth century. In addition, the khans obliged the Russian princes, on their first order, to send the best warriors for battles in campaigns. Russian princes at that time were simply vassals of the Golden Horde.

In the 50 years of the 13th century, the Tatar-Mongol invasion of Russia, according to historians, contributed to the economic devastation of the country. Bala has an excellent collection system for tribute, it was collected by special Muslim merchants, who were called "bersermen". They have paid off their right to taxes from the ruler, the Mongol khan. At that time there were more than 14 types of different taxes. The Tatar-Mongol invasion was characterized by an interesting feature, which consisted in the fact that only the clergy were released from the expropriations.

In 1262, the rebellious Russian people expelled the collectors and in the same period there was a great schism between the Golden Horde and the Mongolian Empire. The rulers of the Golden Horde in ancient Russia were called "kings", as in Byzantium.

The Mongolian invasion of Russia and its aftermath will be investigated for many centuries by scholars of history, but whatever arguments are given, the enslavement of one nation by another, the forced planting of faith, culture and customs has not benefited yet a single state in history. The subjugation of one nation to another always carries with it global destruction and economic decline. According to some historians, it is probably in this lies not so high economic development of Russia subsequently compared with the more successful Western countries. During the years of conquest, Russia was at a higher stage of development in socioeconomic terms than the Mongol-Tatars, so the years of enslavement became a significant step back for it. There is evidence that at that time the development of complex crafts ceased, which undoubtedly contributed to the decline. The cities of Rus were destroyed, and new ones were not built, the population of the country fell sharply, and in some cities and villages life did not revive for many centuries.

Some historians believe that the Tatar-Mongol invasion of Russia and its consequences have affected many centuries on the path of development of our country, which, only coming out from under the yoke, gradually began to recover and strengthen. Scientists are sure that it was during this period that the foundations of the future Russian empire were laid. It is the difficulties that rallied the Russian people and contributed to the formation of the foundations for building a future unified state.