# Tokhtamysh > Khan of the Golden Horde **Wikidata**: [Q309585](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q309585) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokhtamysh) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tokhtamysh ## Summary Tokhtamysh was a prominent military leader and ruler who served as Khan of the Golden Horde during the 14th century. Born in 1342, he is historically recognized for his leadership of the Golden Horde and his notable military engagements, including the significant battle against Timur in 1391, which was later depicted in the *Zafarnama* of 1436. He died on January 1, 1406. ## Biography - **Born:** 1342 - **Died:** January 1, 1406 - **Known for:** Serving as Khan of the Golden Horde; military leadership; conflict with Timur - **Field(s):** Military leadership, rulership - **Occupation:** Ruler (Khan), military leader - **Instance of:** Human (Homo sapiens) ## Contributions Tokhtamysh's primary historical contribution was his leadership as Khan of the Golden Horde, a major Mongol successor state. His most documented military engagement was the battle against Timur (Tamerlane) in 1391, a confrontation that became significant enough to be recorded in the *Zafarnama* of 1436, a historical manuscript that depicted the battle between these two leaders. His role as a military leader defined his legacy, placing him among the notable commanders in the history of Central Asian and Eastern European conflicts. ## FAQs **Who was Tokhtamysh?** Tokhtamysh was a 14th-century military leader who ruled as Khan of the Golden Horde, one of the Mongol Empire's successor states. He is particularly known for his military campaigns and his famous battle against Timur in 1391. **What was the Golden Horde?** The Golden Horde was a Mongol khanate that emerged as a successor state to the Mongol Empire. As its Khan, Tokhtamysh held significant power over territories in Eastern Europe and Central Asia during his reign. **What significant battle was Tokhtamysh involved in?** Tokhtamysh fought a major battle against Timur (also known as Tamerlane) in 1391. This conflict was documented in the *Zafarnama* of 1436, which includes a detailed illustration of the encounter between the two leaders. **When did Tokhtamysh live?** Tokhtamysh was born in 1342 and died on January 1, 1406, living approximately 64 years during a turbulent period of Central Asian and Eastern European history. ## Why They Matter Tokhtamysh holds historical significance as a key figure in the late medieval period of Central Asian and Eastern European geopolitics. As Khan of the Golden Horde, he governed one of the most powerful successor states to the Mongol Empire, influencing the political landscape across vast territories. His military confrontations with Timur represented a major clash of powers in the region, and the documentation of these encounters in works like the *Zafarnama* ensured their preservation in historical records. The outcome of his leadership and conflicts shaped the trajectory of the Golden Horde and its relationships with neighboring powers. Without Tokhtamysh's role in these events, the balance of power in 14th-century Central Asia and Eastern Europe would have unfolded differently. ## Notable For - Served as Khan of the Golden Horde, a major Mongol successor state - Recognized as a military leader who commanded armies in significant regional conflicts - Engaged in a historically documented battle against Timur in 1391 - Depicted in the *Zafarnama* of 1436, an important historical manuscript - Recorded across numerous international knowledge bases and authority files (VIAF ID: 67550482; GND ID: 129617288; Britannica entry: biography/Tokhtamysh; Freebase ID: /m/037wkd) - Referenced in over 51 sitelinks across various language editions of Wikipedia ## Body ### Early Life and Background Tokhtamysh was born in 1342. Details about his early life are limited in the available source material, though he emerged as a significant political and military figure during the 14th century. ### Rise to Power Tokhtamysh ascended to become the Khan of the Golden Horde, assuming leadership of one of the most prominent Mongol successor states. The Golden Horde controlled extensive territories, and as its ruler, Tokhtamysh held considerable authority over military and political affairs in the region. ### Military Leadership and the Conflict with Timur As a military leader, Tokhtamysh is most notably associated with his confrontation with Timur (Tamerlane) in 1391. This battle was a significant event in the power struggles of Central Asia during the late 14th century. The encounter was later immortalized in the *Zafarnama* of 1436, a historical manuscript that includes an illustration titled "Battle between Timur and Toqtamish Khan in 1391," which specifically depicts Tokhtamysh in detail. ### Historical Documentation and Legacy Tokhtamysh's historical significance is evidenced by his extensive documentation across multiple authoritative knowledge systems: - **Library Authority Files:** Identified under VIAF number 67550482, GND number 129617288, and numerous other catalog systems - **Encyclopedic References:** Featured in Encyclopaedia Britannica under the entry "biography/Tokhtamysh" - **International Databases:** Recorded in multiple knowledge bases including identifiers such as P4342 (Tokhtamysj), P6385 (istoriya/tokhtamysh), and P6706 (Toqtamish) - **Academic Cataloging:** Listed with identifiers including cnp00616789, Q703891, and E39PBJpdPYvdQ9wMQQR3gmMByd - **Wikipedia Presence:** Documented across 51 sitelinks in various language editions, demonstrating global recognition of his historical importance ### Death Tokhtamysh died on January 1, 1406, marking the end of a life that had significant impact on the political and military history of the Golden Horde and the broader Central Asian region. ## References 1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 2. CERL Thesaurus 3. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/toktamis-han)