THE SHARUKANIDS: HISTORY OF ONE KIPCHAK DYNASTY

Abstract: Many issues on the history of the Sharukanid dynasty, which led the Donetsk Kipchaks, among whom the Sharukanid clan and the Toksoba tribe dominated, are reflected in the Rus' chronicles. This research paper aims to give a detailed overview on the Sharukanid dynasty of Kipchaks, based on the Rus' chronicles and "The Tale of Igor's Campaign". Relations with the Sharukanids were so important for Rus' that the chronicler recorded the complete genealogy of the representatives of this clan, from Sharukan to Yuri Konchakovich. Periods of peace alternated with periods of confrontation. Under Otrok (Atrak) and Yuri Konchakovich, the Kipchaks did not bother Rus', as they were busy with wars in Dashti-Kipchak. Confrontation with Rus' occurred during the reign of Sharukan and Konchak. Subsequently the Sharukanid clan was divided into smaller clans, and one of them was Eltukovo, near the borders of the Ryazan principality and Volga Bulgaria. The succession to the throne in the Donetsk union was ordered by Otrok, who secured it for his descendants, using experience borrowed from Georgia. During the reign of Otrok, the Sharukanids fought with the Kaepichis (rulers from the Kai clan), rivals of the Sharukanids. Yuri Konchakovich fought with other chiefdoms, the khanate of the Durut tribe and the confederation of Derbent Kipchaks. The stay of Otrok (Atrak) in Georgia can be dated back to 1118 - 1125, and the return to the Kipchak steppes was due to Syrchan’s request to help in the war with the Kaepichi, which lasted until 1160. Taking advantage, the Kaepichi seized dominance in the Don region at the beginning of the 12th century.