Khanate

A khanate is a political entity ruled by a khan, a ruler title of Mongol and Turkic origin. In historical contexts, khanates were often successor states to the Mongol Empire or autonomous polities on the Eurasian steppe, combining nomadic military organization with sedentary administration in conquered regions.

The division of the Mongol Empire after Genghis Khan’s death produced several khanates, each governed by a member of the royal lineage or a trusted subordinate. Khanates maintained centralized military power while incorporating local elites and existing administrative systems, and they often interacted with neighboring states through diplomacy and warfare.

Prominent khanates include the Golden Horde in the western steppe and eastern Europe, the Ilkhanate in Persia and Mesopotamia, and the Chagatai Khanate in Central Asia. The Golden Horde exerted influence over Rus’ principalities before fragmenting; the Ilkhanate collapsed amid internal strife and regional kingdoms; the Chagatai Khanate gradually dissolved as Central Asia was re‑organized by later dynasties.

In later centuries, several regional polities in Central Asia and the Turkic world continued to be described as khanates, such as those led by Kazakh or Uzbek rulers. The term is used by historians to describe jurisdictions ruled by khans, whether or not they formed a single centralized state.

Etymology: The word khan (and its variants khagan, khanate) comes from Turkic and Mongolic roots meaning ruler or lord. See also Khan, Mongol Empire, Turkic khanates.