Exploring the Neglected Epochs of Kazakhstan's Sovereignty: Research at the Ulus of Jochi Institute
A New Chapter in Kazakhstan's History: The Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi
The Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi, established by the President of Kazakhstan, has embarked on an exciting journey to delve into the rich history and culture of the Ulus of Jochi, a significant milestone in Kazakh statehood.
Founded in February 2023, the institute has already made remarkable strides in its research, with substantial academic output in 2024. This included 15 articles published in prestigious Scopus and Web of Science journals, as well as 61 articles in Kazakh academic journals.
The institute's focus is on the historical and cultural analysis of the Ulus of Jochi, the western domain of the Mongol Empire ruled by Jochi's descendants, including the Golden Horde. Under the leadership of renowned historian and PhD scholar, Zhaksylyk Sabitov, the institute aims to shed light on under-researched periods in Kazakh history, particularly the Golden Horde period (1206-1502) and the histories of the khanates that emerged after its dissolution.
One of the institute's inaugural projects examined the histories of the Chagatai, Moghulistan, and Kaidu uluses. Highlights of the 2024 publications include translations of medieval sources such as the "Yuanshi" and "Mingshi" (Chinese chronicles), "Zubdat al-Fikra" by Rukn ad-Din Beibars, and "Sheibani-nama" by Muhammad Salih.
In 2025, the institute plans to complete studies on the Kazakh Khanate and national memory. The institute also has plans to conduct a comprehensive exploration of the Golden Horde in 2026. The institute's work is contributing to the third volume of Kazakhstan's academic history, focused on the Golden Horde, and potentially the fourth, which will cover the Kazakh Khanate.
The mausoleum of Jochi Khan, the eldest son of Genghis Khan, is located 45 km northeast of the city of Zhezkazgan. The institute's research scope spans from the emergence of the Ulus of Jochi in 1224-1225 to the rule of Kenesary, the last all-Kazakh khan, in 1847.
As the institute continues its research, it will undoubtedly contribute significantly to our understanding of Kazakh history and the legacy of the Golden Horde. The history of the Kazakh Khanate, according to Sabitov, is still insufficiently explored, and the institute's work is poised to fill in those gaps.
For more information about the Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi and its ongoing projects, visit their official website or follow them on social media.
The Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi, with its focus on historical and cultural analysis, is promoting education-and-self-development by delving into under-researched periods in Kazakh history, such as the Golden Horde period, through learning and scholarly research. By conducting comprehensive studies on the Kazakh Khanate and the Golden Horde, the institute aims to expand our knowledge, encouraging growth in the understanding of Kazakhstan's rich history.
