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         >> Uzbek Khan. AH 713 – 740 / 1313 – 1339.
UZBEK KHAN. AH 713 – 740 / 1313 – 1339.
Sultan Mohammed Öz-Beg, better known as Uzbek, Uzbeg or Ozbeg (1282 – 1341, reign 1313 – 1341), was the longest-reigning khan of the Golden Horde, under whose rule the state reached its zenith. He was succeeded by his son Jani Beg. He was the son of Toghrilcha and grandson of Mengu-Timur.
His adoption of Islam as a state religion led to a conspiracy of Shamanist and Buddhist princes, which was severely subdued. Uzbek determinedly spread Islam amongst Golden Horde he allowed missionary activities to expand in the surrounding regions. He urged the Mongol elite to convert to Islam, but at the same time, he preserved the lives of Christians and pagans as long as they continued to pay the jizyah in subjection to Islamic rule.
Uzbek was engaged in wars with Bulgaria and Byzantine from 1320 to 1332. Uzbek khan (1313 – 1341) repeatedly raided Thrace, partly in service of Bulgaria's war against both Byzantium and Serbia from 1319.
Uzbek's army killed Lev II and Andrew of Galicia in 1323, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland had a great influence on Galicia-Volhynia. Lithuanians defeated Rus' boyars and occupied Kiev and its surrounding areas in 1330. As a result of losing direct rule over Kiev, Wallachia and its ruler Basarab I had become de facto independent from Uzbek since 1324. But Uzbek was still able to threaten Byzantine, Lithuania and Bulgaria.
Uzbek allowed Genoese, who harassed by Tokhta, to settle in Crimea. But the Mongols sacked Sudak under Khan Uzbek in 1322 as a result of a clash between Christians and Muslims in the city. The Genoese merchants in the other towns were not molested in 1322. The Pope intervened and asked Uzbek to restore Roman Catholic churches destroyed. Uzbek was friendly towards the Pope and exchanged letters and gifts. Khan Uzbek signed a new trade treaty with the Genoese in 1339 and allowed them to rebuild the walls of Kaffa. In 1332 he had allowed the Venetians to establish a colony at Tanais on the Don.
For successfully expanding Islam, it was necessary to build a mosque and other 'elaborate places' requiring baths – an important element of Muslim culture. Sarai attracted merchants from European, Asian and Islamic countries as well as Middle East. Slave trade flourished due to strengthening ties with Mamluk Sultanate.
Successful commercial revolutions require new markets, caravans, a 'place where merchants find their way'. Growth of wealth and increasing needs of production always produce population growth, this did not passover Sarai. Dwelling places of the region increased. This transformed the capital into a center of a large Muslim government, giving it the appropriate aspect and status. Uzbek actually came to build a new city, which received the official name Saray al-Jedid or New Sarai.

19.10.2010.

1. Copper Puls.
2. Silver Dirhams.

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