Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
post under his direct rule. Moscow's strategic importance prompted Yury to construct a
moat-ringed wooden palisade on the hilltop and install his personal vassal on site.
With its convenient access to rivers and roads, Moscow soon blossomed into a regional
economic centre, attracting traders and artisans to the merchant rows just outside the Krem-
lin's walls. In the early 13th century, Moscow became the capital of a small, independent
principality, though it remained a prize contested by successive generations of boyar
princes.
The Rise of Muscovy
In the 13th century, Eastern Europe was overwhelmed by the marauding Golden Horde, a
Mongol-led army of nomadic tribespeople who appeared out of the eastern Eurasian steppes
and were led by Chinggis (Genghis) Khaan's grandson, Batu. The ferocity of the Golden
Horde raids was unprecedented, and quickly Russia's ruling princes acknowledged the re-
gion's new overlord. The Golden Horde's khan would constrain Russian sovereignty for the
next two centuries, demanding tribute and allegiance from the Slavs.
The years of Mongol domination coincided with the rise of medieval Muscovy in a mar-
riage of power and money. The Golden Horde was mainly interested in tribute, and Moscow
was conveniently situated to monitor the river trade and road traffic. With Mongol backing,
Muscovite officials soon emerged as the chief tax collectors in the region.
As Moscow prospered economically, its political fortunes rose as well. Grand Prince Ivan
Danilovich earned the moniker of 'Moneybags'
(Kalita)
because of his remarkable revenue-
raising abilities. Ivan Kalita used his good relations with the khan to manoeuvre Moscow in-
to a position of dominance in relation to his rival princes. By the middle of the 14th century,
Moscow had absorbed its erstwhile patrons, Vladimir and Suzdal.
Soon Moscow became a nemesis rather than a supplicant to the Mongols. In the 1380
Battle of Kulikovo, Moscow's Grand Prince Dmitry, Kalita's grandson, led a coalition of
Slav princes to a rare victory over the Golden Horde on the banks of the Don River. He was
thereafter immortalised as Dmitry Donskoy. This feat did not break the Mongols, who retali-
ated by setting Moscow ablaze only two years later. From this time, however, Moscow acted
as champion of the Russian cause.
Towards the end of the 15th century, Moscow's ambitions were realised as the once-di-
minutive duchy evolved into an expanding autocratic state. Under the long reign of Grand
Prince Ivan III, the eastern Slav independent principalities were forcibly consolidated into a
single territorial entity.
