Saray-Jük
Encyclopedia
Saray-Jük or Saraychyq was a medieval city on the border between Europe and Asia in the 10th-16th centuries. It was located on the Ural River
, modern Kazakhstan
, Atyrau Province
, near Sarayshyq village, 50 km above Atyrau
. There was a major trade route from Europe to China across the city.
, but excavations uncovered that it was founded as early as in 10th or 11th century. In 13th Saray-Jük turned into a major trade center. After the disintegration of the Golden Horde
in 14th century the city fell into decay: in 1395 it was ruined by Timur
, but Saray-Jük was rebuilt in 1430s-1440s. However, it stayed the main city of the Nogai Horde
. The Kazakh khan also had headquarters there later. In 1580 it was ruined by "thief Cossacks"—that is, Cossacks uncontrolled by Russian government.
were preserved until the 20th century.
The city had a ceramic water-pipe and metallurgy and pottery were also developed. Neighboring populations were agriculturist or fishermen. Ibn Battuta
, visited Saray-Jük I n1334 reported about Baghdad
-like ferries across the Uly-sû canal. Neighborhoods of the city were a popular resort among the Golden Horde
's nobility.
, which wash away the ruins. In 1999 a memorial complex was established there by Kazakhstani authorities.
Ural River
The Ural or Jayıq/Zhayyq , known as Yaik before 1775, is a river flowing through Russia and Kazakhstan. It arises in the southern Ural Mountains and ends at the Caspian Sea. Its total length is 1,511 mi making it the third longest river in Europe after the Volga and the Danube...
, modern Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
, Atyrau Province
Atyrau Province
Atyrau Oblast is a province of Kazakhstan. It is situated in the west of the country around the northeast of the Caspian Sea. Its capital is the city of Atyrau, with a population of 142,500 people; the province itself has 480,000 people...
, near Sarayshyq village, 50 km above Atyrau
Atyrau
Atyrau , known as Guryev until 1991, is a city in Kazakhstan, and the capital of Atyrau Province. It is located at the mouth of the Ural River, 2700 kilometers west of Almaty and 350 kilometers east of the Russian city of Astrakhan. Other transliterations include Aterau, Atirau, Atyraw, Atyraou,...
. There was a major trade route from Europe to China across the city.
History
It was believed till recently that Saray-Jük was founded by Batu KhanBatu Khan
Batu Khan was a Mongol ruler and founder of the Ulus of Jochi , the sub-khanate of the Mongol Empire. Batu was a son of Jochi and grandson of Genghis Khan. His ulus was the chief state of the Golden Horde , which ruled Rus and the Caucasus for around 250 years, after also destroying the armies...
, but excavations uncovered that it was founded as early as in 10th or 11th century. In 13th Saray-Jük turned into a major trade center. After the disintegration of the Golden Horde
Golden Horde
The Golden Horde was a Mongol and later Turkicized khanate that formed the north-western sector of the Mongol Empire...
in 14th century the city fell into decay: in 1395 it was ruined by Timur
Timur
Timur , historically known as Tamerlane in English , was a 14th-century conqueror of West, South and Central Asia, and the founder of the Timurid dynasty in Central Asia, and great-great-grandfather of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Dynasty, which survived as the Mughal Empire in India until...
, but Saray-Jük was rebuilt in 1430s-1440s. However, it stayed the main city of the Nogai Horde
Nogai Horde
The Nogai Horde was a confederation of about eighteen Turkic and Mongol tribes that occupied the Pontic-Caspian steppe from about 1500 until they were pushed west by the Kalmyks and south by the Russians in the 17th century. The Mongol tribe called the Manghits constituted a core of the Horde...
. The Kazakh khan also had headquarters there later. In 1580 it was ruined by "thief Cossacks"—that is, Cossacks uncontrolled by Russian government.
Heyday
Saray-Jük was one of the biggest cities of the Golden Horde, a center of a metropolitan agglomeration: the ruins of the suburb Aqtöbe, located near AtyrauAtyrau
Atyrau , known as Guryev until 1991, is a city in Kazakhstan, and the capital of Atyrau Province. It is located at the mouth of the Ural River, 2700 kilometers west of Almaty and 350 kilometers east of the Russian city of Astrakhan. Other transliterations include Aterau, Atirau, Atyraw, Atyraou,...
were preserved until the 20th century.
The city had a ceramic water-pipe and metallurgy and pottery were also developed. Neighboring populations were agriculturist or fishermen. Ibn Battuta
Ibn Battuta
Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta , or simply Ibn Battuta, also known as Shams ad–Din , was a Muslim Moroccan Berber explorer, known for his extensive travels published in the Rihla...
, visited Saray-Jük I n1334 reported about Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
-like ferries across the Uly-sû canal. Neighborhoods of the city were a popular resort among the Golden Horde
Golden Horde
The Golden Horde was a Mongol and later Turkicized khanate that formed the north-western sector of the Mongol Empire...
's nobility.
Ruins
The remains of buildings, workshops and others are situated at the bank of Ural RiverUral River
The Ural or Jayıq/Zhayyq , known as Yaik before 1775, is a river flowing through Russia and Kazakhstan. It arises in the southern Ural Mountains and ends at the Caspian Sea. Its total length is 1,511 mi making it the third longest river in Europe after the Volga and the Danube...
, which wash away the ruins. In 1999 a memorial complex was established there by Kazakhstani authorities.