FOREIGN POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL ROLE OF NOGAI

This article examines the political and international role of Nogai within the structure of the Golden Horde in the second half of the thirteenth century. The study aims to analyze Nogai’s position not only as a military leader but also as a key political actor who significantly influenced the foreign policy and internal power dynamics of the Jochid Ulus. The research is based on a comprehensive analysis of medieval narrative sources, including Persian, Arabic, and Byzantine accounts, as well as modern historiographical interpretations. Special attention is paid to Nogai’s involvement in the conflicts between the Golden Horde and the Ilkhanate, his activities in the Caucasus and the Black Sea region, and his diplomatic interactions with the Byzantine Empire and the Mamluk Sultanate. The article demonstrates that Nogai exercised substantial control over the western territories of the Golden Horde and acted as an intermediary between the steppe world and the states of Eastern Europe. His political autonomy reflects broader processes of decentralization within the Golden Horde and the growing influence of military elites. It is argued that Nogai played a decisive role in shaping the external policy of the Golden Horde and contributed to the formation of a multi-level system of international relations in Eurasia. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the political structure of the Golden Horde and the role of non-sovereign elites in medieval nomadic empires. The study also highlights the importance of integrating various source traditions in reconstructing the historical image of Nogai.