rich in great historical events Zaporozhye land.On one of them, we elaborate.This is the first battle Russian soldiers with the Tatar-Mongols.Year Battle of the Kalka River - 1223 per month - May.It should not be set exactly the place where it occurred.It is known by only the chronicles what is the river Kalka.
But where should look for the river, the rocky ground, where there was fighting camp Mstislav Romanovich, Prince of Kiev?Aggressively looking for the answer to this question Zaporizhia historians such as Arkhipkin and Shovkun.The result of research findings and steel assumptions outlined briefly in this article.After reading it, you will know where the river Kalka, according to these researchers.
Brief description of the events preceding the battle
Russian princes, as they say in the annals helped Polovtsy in their struggle with the Tatars, collected their forces on the Dnieper, at the ford Protolche, near the island of Khortytsya.By breaking down at this point the main forces of the Mongols, the shelves went to the Russian steppes, in pursuit of retreating.Eight days later they reached the place where the river flowed Kalka.At that time, there were the main forces of the Mongols.It was at this point (the river Kalka) enacted the famous battle.
sudden invasion of the Mongols
By the fourth Novgorod and the Laurentian Chronicle, the Mongol invasion of Russia was unexpected.Just did not know at that time Russian chroniclers that 30 thousand people of Genghis Khan (troops Subedi-Baghaturia and Chepe Noyon) went around the Caspian Sea to the south, destroyed the city of Shamakhi took Derbent.
Moving then to the northwest, they smashed the joint forces Polovtsy and Alans.Polovtsian troops under the command of his son Konchak Khan Yuri, was forced to retreat to the Dnieper along the Sea of Azov.On the right bank crossed part of it, into the possession of Kotyan, Polovtsian Khan.Another part rushed to the Crimea, in the eastern region, where the Tatar-Mongols penetrated followed Polovtsy.Here, in 1223, in January, they have ruined castle Sourozh (now Sudak).
strategic decision of the Russian princes
In the same year, in early spring, to Mstislav removed in Galich Kotyan rushed for help.Russian princes at the initiative of Mstislav gathered in Kiev for advice.It was decided to go down the Dnieper, on the right bank of it, thus bypassing the left bank of the river, which was filled at this time vernal waters, which greatly hampered the movement.Then the rapid march of progress dried out southern steppes reach Polovtsian shaft (ie Perekopa) where a strange land to fight the Mongols.
unexpected meeting
But the unified leadership of the feudal strife was not in the Polovtsian and Russian troops.They moved to the island Khortytsya isolated.Spring roads delayed the troops of the northern princes.Russ from Khortytsya met after the Tatars killed the latter and moved right bank downriver.However, they were able to reach only up to Oleshi where they had waited for the Tatar-Mongols.
the south of the land dry out more quickly, giving the troops the enemy the opportunity to withdraw from the Crimea, and then move through the Polovtsian steppe to the north and the main forces positioned before the arrival of Russian troops on the right bank of the Kalka.The plan, adopted by the council of princes (to fight in a foreign land), so was frustrated.
Mstislav the Bold, Duke Galich, without telling the rest of his speech, crossed the river Kalka with Polovtsy and began a battle with the Tartars.Frustrate the onslaught of the enemy Cumans retreated.
Reflection attack troops of Mstislav Romanovich
Yound Mstislav Romanovich hastily had to build fortifications around their camp and fought off three days of the attack of the enemy.Armed with a melee weapon (clubs and axes) Russian soldiers inflicted heavy losses on the Mongols.He was murdered in particular Tossuk, the eldest son of Genghis Khan (the last image shown below), the father of Batu.
part of Mongolia is at Kalka
Tatars on the third day of unsuccessful battle Russian offered to make peace, but they themselves violate it.Having given the opportunity, according to the agreement, the Russian troops to go to Russia, they attacked the guards, extending to the Dnieper, and beat many.Mstislav the Bold, crossed the river with the remnants of his troops, ordered to burn the boats.Leaving at Kalka at the site of the battle camp with the good loot in the Crimea, as well as the sick and wounded nokors Tatars three thinning Tumen went north along the left bank of the Dnieper River.
Kalka - the river, which also remained part of the Russian troops, who took refuge in the bush smooth, impenetrable to cavalry.Suffering heavy losses when they met fierce resistance, the Tatars were still able to get to Pereyaslav.However, they suddenly turned back, when to Kiev, the main goal was within reach.
opinions about where
Kalka was widely believed that the battle on the river Kalka happened in the so-called Stone Grave.It is located in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, 5 kilometers south of Rozovka.Also, many believe that the Kalka - river, now known as the inflow Kalmius (river Kalchyk).
however, hard to believe that the projections from the Crimea, and while moving north from the Tatar-Mongols Oleshi turned in the Polovtsian steppe, devastated them to stay for a battle with Russian troops have a shrinking of the steppe river.It is unlikely also that going along the right bank of the Dnieper down Russian troops crossed Olesha moved to the left and without the baggage systems in the steppe on foot.
In addition, analysis of the ancient names of various rivers has led to the idea that the Kalka (the river) is a transcription of the ancient Slavic name Kalkan-Su (Polovtsian), meaning in translation "Water Shield".She Tatar called IOL Keynes, which means "horse water".
Yuan, the Chinese chronicler of the 13th century, wrote that the battle with the Tatars Russian troops took place near the river A-li-gi.In literal translation it means "horse-watering."That is, it can be assumed that the present Konka is the very mysterious Kalka River, which was the famous battle.A hill that rises on the right bank, two kilometers from the village Yulevki - the same "place kamyanisto."
findings suggesting that the battle on the Kalka could be near the village Yulevka
It was impossible to imagine a better place to camp Mstislav Romanovich.On top of the hill, the narrow entrance, the mountain of stones were found - remains of fortifications.Perhaps this is an indication that in this place there was a battle on the river Kalka.
wonder what this pear-shaped mountain, whose height is 40 meters, width - 160 at its widest point."Gro sha" is connected to the mainland by a "tail."Its width is only 8-10 meters.It is a small peninsula in the south and east washed by the waters of the river Conca, and from the west and surrounded by impassable marshy Gorodysskoy beam.Local old-timers call this hill Saur-Tomb.Often found near her arrowheads, pieces of rusty iron, and one was dug up on the banks of the iron anchor.At 12 meters from the foot, on the southern slope of the Saur-Tomb was found sword and several arrows and a bronze seal with the lion.
today Kakhovka Sea, west of the railway bridge, conducted by Konka, one can see a small group of islands.They are the remnants of the Great Kuchugury that flooded reservoir.
Traces of the medieval town preserved almost all of them.Different names give him a variety of sources.He was called during the Battle of the Kalka how Samys (Turk-Polovtsian name), and the population of this place called Slavic Bulgarians.Here are found along with dozens of silver and copper coins of different periods of arrowheads, keys, locks, stirrups, fragments of chain mail, breast bronze image (icon), neck-ring, the remains of horse harness and other articles of Kievan Rus.
also found military items and household items: fragments of arrowheads, daggers, swords of the Golden Horde.All this gives reason to believe that the city was connected with the battle that took place on the Kalka.
Bulgarians in the annals
In thickets flooded areas inaccessible to cavalry Tatars gathered the remnants of Russian troops.When, after the battle horde moved to the north, together with the Bulgarians, the residents Samysa, they attacked the camp left by the Mongols and destroyed it.On the approach to the town of Pereyaslav Tatars we received the news of this from messengers.
Realizing that Kiev does not take a weak Tumen, temniki decided to return to Kalka to avenge a daring raid rusam and take away their good loot in the Crimea.In the chronicles is told that, reversing, Tatars went to the Bulgarians (1223 Kalka River).This nation has been accepted in recent studies of the Volga Bulgars.
Today Battle of the Kalka River (1223) is regarded by historians as a strategic reconnaissance.However, it was also a battle in which the blood of scrapie Brotherhood of various peoples of ancient Rus.
found dumping
presence of burials may indicate where the Kalka River, as well as the exact location where it was a battle and Mstislav Polovtsian removed.On the way to Komishuvahu, 7 km from Savur-Mogili on the slopes is a lot of humps, whose origin is unknown.Perhaps in this lies the clue ...
Tatars burned corpses, according to custom.The remains of the three furnaces are preserved at the site, which is located nearby.This pit with burnt walls, up to 3 meters in diameter, the depth of which is up to 4 meters.There were ashes in a few pieces of bronze.Perhaps it was stuck in a body belt buckles, or arrows.
Conclusion
So, Battle of the Kalka River occurred in 1223.Unfortunately, to prove the exact location historians today still have not managed.However, a comparison of written sources, armaments, and the alleged place where there was a battle, gives reason to believe that the battle on the Kalka - an event that took place on the banks of Conca in the camp, the remains of which are now in the Zaporozhye region, near the village of Yulevka.
Battle of the Kalka ended with the defeat of the Russian troops.Escaped Mstislav removed.Killed and wounded in this battle has been set, only a tenth of the troops survived.A Tatar-Mongols took place across the Chernigov land to Novgorod-Seversky.Fierce People Subedeya and Chepe commanded these regiments.They hated Russian and destroyed everything in its path, wreaking death and destruction all around.People were hiding in the woods for fear of these attacks, in order to save at least their lives.
