Mukhsha

Muxşi, Muxşa
Сolumn chapiter of Özbeg Khan reign period
Mukhsha is located in Penza Oblast
Mukhsha
Location of the site within Russia
Mukhsha is located in European Russia
Mukhsha
Mukhsha (European Russia)
53°50′57″N 43°44′15″E / 53.8493°N 43.7374°E / 53.8493; 43.7374
Typecity
PeriodsMedieval
CulturesSaltovo-Mayaki
Satellite ofGolden Horde
Associated withMongols
LocationPenza Oblast, Russia
RegionMukhsha Ulus
History
Abandoned1600s
EventMongol Takeover in 1237, Destruction by Timur in 1395
Site notes
Length2000
Width900
Excavation dates1923–1927
ArchaeologistsAleksandr Krotkov
ConditionIn ruins
City of Mukhsha in the middle of the Golden Horde

Mukhshi (Tatar: Muxşa, Mukhsha) was the administrative center of Mukhsha Ulus and one of the Golden Horde centres of coinage. In the 15th century the city lost its importance and declined. The ruins (buildings of bricks, stone baths, Muslim graves) are situated in Penza Oblast near the modern town of Narovchat in the upper stream of Moksha River.

History

Foundation and name

The city foundation date is unknown. The archeological findings confirmed the first city population was Moksha. The city is often referred to as Mukhsha or Mukhshi which in fact was the name of the ulus Mukhsha, the official city name used in the Mongol period was Nurinjat .

Mukhsha Ulus

Mukhsha became the administrative center of Mukhsha Ulus and residence of Öz Beg Khan in 1313–1342. In 1313–1367 the city minted dangs, dirhams and pūls. Destroyed by Timur in 1395. In 16th century in Nurindzhat attested private and public baths, running water, sewerage, underfloor heating. The streets were paved with stones, there were fountains with drinking water, cathedral mosque, tavern (teahouse), inns, caravanserai, palace, houses and mausoleums of stone, Muslim cemetery. There were 3 potteries with ancient forges and a brick factory. Every brick made in Mukhshi had a special tamga. There was an artisan quarter with numerous workshops. Residential quarters partly lay nowadays under the rural locality Narovchat. Northwest of Narovchat lays another gravefield (old cemetery), divided into Muslim ( named so by later Russian population due to round foundations of mausoluems ruins) and presumably "Pagan" areas. 4 mausoleums and probably a mosque and a minaret ruins were found in the "Mosque field" The Medieval city ruins were discovered by Russian archeologist Aleksandr Krotkov in 1915.

Volga Trade Route

In 14th century, Mukhshi played an important role on trade route from Don to Black sea (Principality of Theodoro and Genoese Gazaria colonies in Crimea)

Literature

References

Notes

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Turki ﻥﺭﻥﺝﺍﻁ, Nurinjat IPA [nurinˈdʒɑt]
  2. ↑ Russian: Мизгитное поле, romanized: Mizgtnoye field, lit. 'Mosque field'

Sources