Tokhtamysh

Tokhtamysh was a powerful Khan of the Golden Horde who reigned from 1380 to 1408. He was a descendant of the House of Jochi, Genghis Khan's eldest son. Tokhtamysh rose to prominence with the support of the Turco-Mongol conqueror Timur. He initially sought refuge with Timur after being driven from his homeland by his uncle, Urus Khan.

With Timur's military backing, Tokhtamysh successfully defeated his rivals and ascended to the throne of the Golden Horde. His early reign was marked by a significant event: the devastating Sack of Moscow in 1382. This act was a reprisal for the earlier defeat of the Horde at the Battle of Kulikovo by Dmitry Donskoy, and it reasserted Mongol dominance over the Russian principalities. Tokhtamysh also campaigned against the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, further expanding his influence.

However, the alliance between Tokhtamysh and Timur eventually soured. Disagreements over territorial control and tribute payments led to a bitter conflict between the two rulers. Timur launched a series of campaigns against the Golden Horde, culminating in the Battle of the Terek River in 1395, where Tokhtamysh suffered a decisive defeat. This marked the beginning of the decline of the Golden Horde's power.

Following his defeat by Timur, Tokhtamysh was largely unable to regain control of the Horde. He spent his later years in Lithuania, seeking support from Grand Duke Vytautas. Tokhtamysh eventually died in exile in 1406. His reign represents a pivotal period in the history of the Golden Horde, characterized by both significant military successes and the eventual fracturing of the empire due to internal strife and external threats.