The Reflection of the Golden Horde-Russian Struggle to Literature: The Epic of Zadonsina

Abstract

The Mongols that began to dominate the Russian lands from the first quarter of the 13th century, were increasingly stronger from the second half of that century and thus leading the establishment of the Golden Horde state, including various Turkic tribes. Following the 13th century's first quarter, the growth of Golden Horde (Akin Orda) Khaganate quickly completed in a way to rule the Russians lands and Russian Kners could stand neither politically nor militarily against this power. However, after the 14th century's second half, the power erosion in Golden Horde (Altin Ordu) reflected clearly in 1380 with Kullikova Battle between Golden Horde (Altin Orda) Amir Mimay Mirza and Moscow Knez Ivan from the Moscow. In this battle Golden Horde was enfeebled. Considering the historical process, while Kulikova meant an inevitable end as a beginning of a disintegration and a fall for Golden Horde, for Russians it meant to over the period of stagnation with unity and great victory to take the revenge of Kalka. Another important feature of this victory is that the Russians have taken their place in the history stage with the awareness of "Russian nation" after this war. One of the epics that is thought to have been written right after this war is the Zadonsina epic. In our study, the text of the epic was translated into Turkish and it was tried to be interpreted.