Kazakhstan's New Golden Horde Studies Department Redefines Historical Research

Eurasian National University is set to launch a new department dedicated to the study of the Golden Horde. The initiative reflects growing interest in the historical legacy of the Ulus of Jochi and its impact on Kazakhstan’s identity. Rector Erlan Sydykov recently discussed the plans in an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda. The department, named 'Golden Horde Civilization Studies', will take a fresh approach to the subject. Unlike traditional history programmes, it will treat the Golden Horde as a broad civilisational phenomenon, using interdisciplinary methods. Historians, political scientists, archaeologists, and international relations experts will collaborate on research.

The new department’s work aligns with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s call for deeper study of the Ulus of Jochi. Key focus areas will include statehood, political institutions, legal culture, military history, economic systems, and cultural exchange. Findings will also be incorporated into teaching, benefiting students and young researchers.

The establishment comes as part of a wider shift in Kazakhstan’s historical scholarship. The Ulus of Jochi and the Golden Horde remain central to understanding the country’s roots and their enduring influence across Eurasia. The department will serve as a research hub for experts from multiple fields. Its work is expected to enhance knowledge of the Golden Horde’s political, cultural, and intellectual legacy. The initiative also supports the university’s goal of connecting academic research with education.