Kazakhstan's Ulus of Jochi Institute Delves into Neglected Periods of Its Ancient Rule
The Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi, established by the President of Kazakhstan, is a research institution dedicated to exploring the historical and cultural significance of the Ulus of Jochi, a pivotal force in the formation of the Kazakh Khanate and Central Eurasia's history and identity.
Located 45 km northeast of the city of Zhezkazgan, the institute's research scope spans from the emergence of the Ulus of Jochi in 1224-1225 to the rule of Kenesary, the last all-Kazakh khan, in 1847.
Zhaksylyk Sabitov, a renowned historian and PhD scholar, leads the institute. In 2023, the institute began receiving funding and started its scholarly journey.
The institute's inaugural project, completed by the end of 2024, focused on the histories of the Chagatai, Moghulistan, and Kaidu uluses. Highlights of the 2024 academic output include translations of medieval sources such as the "Yuanshi" and "Mingshi" (Chinese chronicles), "Zubdat al-Fikra" by Rukn ad-Din Beibars, and "Sheibani-nama" by Muhammad Salih.
One specific project presented at a recent conference involved the study titled "Repatriated Memory: Historical Consciousness and Identity of Kazakh Returnees (Qandastar) in Kazakhstan", conducted by Issatay Minuarov from the Institute.
In 2024, the institute achieved substantial academic output, publishing 15 articles in Scopus and Web of Science journals, alongside 61 articles in Kazakh academic journals. The institute has plans for a comprehensive exploration of the Golden Horde in 2026 and plans to complete studies on the Kazakh Khanate and national memory in 2025.
The institute is contributing to the third volume of Kazakhstan's academic history, focused on the Golden Horde. While direct information on multiple specific projects or a comprehensive list of achievements of the Institute is limited in the search results, its research and scholarly output contribute to a wider understanding of how the Ulus of Jochi shaped Kazakhstan's history, identity, and regional significance.
The Ulus of Jochi, a significant milestone in Kazakh statehood, was founded 800 years ago. The institute's work appears to focus on deepening knowledge about the Ulus of Jochi (Golden Horde), which played a pivotal role in the formation of the Kazakh Khanate and the broader Central Eurasian region’s history and identity. This includes exploring the Ulus’s political influence, ethnopolitical developments, and cultural heritage that shaped the Kazakh nation after the dissolution of the Ulus in the 15th century.
The completion of Kazakh ethnogenesis during the Ulus of Jochi era and the foundation of the Kazakh Khanate as a successor state illustrate the historical importance of this legacy. Continued cultural traditions from the Ulus era, such as warrior masks, persist in Kazakh heritage, which may be an element studied or preserved in related scholarly undertakings.
The role of the Ulus of Jochi as a political and cultural center in Central Eurasia, often overshadowed in global history by other Mongol successors, is being reassessed, partly through cultural projects like the historical drama The Golden Empire. The institute's research is essential in uncovering and preserving the rich history and cultural heritage of the Ulus of Jochi and its impact on Kazakhstan's identity and regional significance.
The Institute for the Study of the Ulus of Jochi, through its scholarly projects, is contributing to the education and self-development of scholars and the general public by deepening knowledge about the Ulus of Jochi, a pivotal force in the formation of the Kazakh Khanate and Central Eurasia's history and identity. In 2026, the institute plans to embark on a comprehensive exploration of the Golden Horde, further enhancing education and self-development in these areas.
