DASHT-I QIPCHAQ IN XV. AND XVI. CENTURY OTTOMAN CHRONICLES

Abstract

Desht-i Qipchaq is a great geographic area that stretches from the Irtysh River in the east to the Carpathian Mountains in the west, bordered by the Russian knezates in the north and the Black and Caspian Seas in the south. This term refers to the regions controlled by the Golden Horde state from the XIIIth and XVth centuries, and it also describes the Kipchak homeland from the XIth century onwards. Since the XVth century, it has been part of the sovereign territory of the Crimean Khanate, with which the Ottoman Empire maintained political relations for several years. Thanks to its mines, agricultural products, game and trade routes, Desht-i Qipchaq served both Asia and Europe for many years. This land of numerous beauties, flowing rivers, vibrant flora and diverse fauna has been inhabited by different nations throughout the years, however, ıt has been united with the Tatars. Akkirman, Kefe and Crimea have always been valuable both political and commercial aspects. Ottoman historiographers of the XVth and XVIth centuries commonly referred to the area north of the Black Sea as " Desht-i Qipchaq." However, the exact borders of Desht-i Qipchaq are not specified by the authors. Therefore, in the chronicles, Desht-i Qipchaq is occasionally referred to as Turkestan and at other times as north of the Black Sea. The aim of this study is to determine how early Ottoman authors describe the Desht-i Qipchaq.