Sartaq Khan

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Sartaq (or Sartak or Sartach) Khan (died 1256) was the son of Batu Khan and Regent Dowager Khanum Boraqcin of Hwarizim Sahi ^[1]. Sartaq succeeded Batu as khan of the Golden Horde (Kipchak Khanate).

In 1241, Alexander Nevsky came to Sarai and befriended Sartaq. He became Sartaq’s anda (sworn brother, probably akin to blood brother) and an adopted son of Batu Khan. In return, Alexander returned with a contingent of Tatars that took part in the Battle of the Ice. Alexander received yarlyk (license) to become Grand Duke of Vladimir in vassalage to the Kipchak Khanate.

Sartaq was reputed to be a Christian convert; his father being a Shamanist. There are several stories of Sartaq's conversion. The Armenian writers, for example, alleged that Sartaq was brought up and baptized among the Russians.^[2]

However, a message dated August 29, 1254 by Sartaq addressed to Pope Innocent IV, stated that Sartaq, then a duke, was baptised as a Christian. The Pope heard the news from a priest whom the khan had sent as envoy to the papal court.^[3]

His reign as khan of the Golden Horde was short-lived. He died in 1256, less than one year after his father, probably having been poisoned. Sartaq was succeeded by Ulaqchi briefly in 1257, before his uncle Berke succeeded to the throne. It is not clear whether Ulaqchi was his brother or his son.

Sartaq's daughter Theodora (or Theothiure) was the wife of Gleb Vasilkovich of Beloozero and Rostov, a grandson of Konstantin of Rostov and first cousin once removed of Alexander Nevsky. Their descendants include Ivan IV of Russia and innumerable families of Russian nobility.