Mukhsha


Mukhshi was the administrative center of Mukhsha Ulus and one of the Golden Horde centres of coinage. In the 15th century the city lost its importance and declined. The ruins are situated in Penza Oblast near the modern town of Narovchat in the upper stream of Moksha River.

History

Foundation and name

The city foundation date is unknown. The archeological findings confirmed the first city population was Moksha. The city is often referred to as Mukhsha or Mukhshi which in fact was the name of the ulus Mukhsha, the official city name used in the Mongol period was Nurinjat.

Mukhsha Ulus

Mukhsha became the administrative center of Mukhsha Ulus and residence of Öz Beg Khan in 1313–1342. In 1313-1367 the city minted dangs, dirhams and pūls.
Destroyed by Timur in 1395. In 16th century in Nurindzhat attested private and public baths, running water, sewerage, underfloor heating. The streets were paved with stones, there were fountains with drinking water, cathedral mosque, tavern, inns, caravanserai, palace, houses and mausoleums of stone, Muslim cemetery. There were 3 potteries with ancient forges and a brick factory. Every brick made in Mukhshi had a special tamga. There was an artisan quarter with numerous workshops. Residential quarters partly lay nowadays under the rural locality Narovchat. Northwest of Narovchat lays another gravefield, divided into Muslim and presumably "Pagan" areas. 4 mausoleums and probably a mosque and a minaret ruins were found in the "Mosque field" The Medieval city ruins were discovered by Russian archeologist Aleksandr Krotkov in 1915.

Volga Trade Route

In 14th century, Mukhshi played an important role on trade route from Don to Black sea

Literature