Sartaq Khan

__NOTOC__Sartaq (or Sartak or Sartach) Khan (died 1256) was the son of Batu Khan and Regent Dowager Khatun Boraqcin of Alchi Tatar [Rashid al-Din - Universal History, see: "Tale of Jochids"] . Sartaq succeeded Batu as khan of the Golden Horde (Kipchak Khanate).

In 1241Fact|date=August 2008, Alexander Nevsky came to Sarai and befriended Sartaq. He became Sartaq’s "anda" (sworn brother, probably akin to blood brother) and an adopted son of Batu Khan. In return, Alexander returned with a contingent of Tatars that took part in the Battle of the Ice. Alexander received "yarlyk" (license) to become Grand Duke of Vladimir in vassalage to the Kipchak Khanate.

Sartaq was reputed to be a Christian convert; his father being a Shamanist. There are several stories of Sartaq's conversion. The Armenian writers, for example, alleged that Sartaq was brought up and baptized among the Russians. [ [http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Rubruquis Classic Encyclopedia: Rubriquis (William of)] ]

However, a message dated August 29, 1254 by Sartaq addressed to Pope Innocent IV, stated that Sartaq, then a duke, was baptised as a Christian. The Pope heard the news from a priest whom the khan had sent as envoy to the papal court. [ [http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Rubruquis Classic Encyclopedia: Rubriquis (William of)] ]

His reign as khan of the Golden Horde was short-lived. He died in 1256 before returning from Great Khan Mongke's court in Mongolia, less than one year after his father, probably having been poisoned. Sartaq was succeeded by Ulaqchi briefly in 1257, before his uncle Berke succeeded to the throne. It is not clear whether Ulaqchi was his brother or his son. Russian scholar Karamzin and armenian sources claimed that he was poisoned by Berke and his another uncle Berkhchir.

Sartaq's daughter Theodora (or Theothiure) was the wife of Gleb Vasilkovich of Beloozero and Rostov, a grandson of Konstantin of Rostov and first cousin once removed of Alexander Nevsky. Their descendants include Ivan IV of Russia and innumerable families of Russian nobility.

Ancestry

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1= Sartaq Khan
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References

ee also

*List of Khans of the Golden Horde

External links

* [http://www.electroauthor.com/marcotte_genealogy/Khan.htm Michael Marcotte: Marcotte Genealogy - Khan genealogy chart] (shows part of Sartaq's family; Sartaq is called "Sartuk Khan of the Blue Horde")