Titulature
Originally, Batyi’s name was Bat. That means strong. That was Batyi’s name in his parents’ yurt. Bat is a common name among Mongols. Hence the term Bata — a wish for a happy journey, a good start or end of a case among Turks and Mongols.
In the official Mongolian historiography Batu is called Batu. Foreigners twisted it into Patu, Badu. In the Tatar medieval epic “Idegei” called Baidu.
Russian sources called Batyi. It is connected with the fact that in the XIII century the Cumans Khan Basty, who accepted Orthodoxy, was well known. His name was transferred to Batu, formalizing it as Batyi. Later it will become the basis of the theory widespread among pseudo-historians that Batu was Russian prince Batyi.
In Europe the name Batatarkan is known. It occurs in “Great chronicle” of English historian Matthew Paris and “Annals of Berton monastery” of XIII century. That is Khan of Tatars.
About the title khan it is possible to assert safely, that Batu has never had such title. At that time, it could have only the supreme ruler of the Mongol Empire. But Batyi, after Chagatai’s death in 1242 among Genghisids is called Aka (uncle). That is, consider senior in a sort.
Chagatay, Jagatay (Mong. Tsagadai?, ᠴᠠᠭᠠᠲᠠᠠᠢ?; 1183 — 1242) — Mongolian sovereign, the second son of Genghis Khan and Borte. Even during his father’s lifetime he was known as the best expert of Yasa and the highest authority in all matters related to laws and customs. Chagatai’s descendants ruled in Central Asia in XIII-XIV centuries
The title of khan to Batyi’s name began to be attributed already at the subsequent rulers of the Great Ulus (Golden Horde). Thus, the Golden Horde khans udrevlja their title, receiving the right to wear it. Although they had no legal right to do so.
The second name Sain-khan (Wise, good khan) Batu got already after death. Since Mongols do not pronounce the name of dead rulers, they are given a posthumous name. Because of this name, for some time in historiography it was believed that there were two people — Batyi and Sain-khan.
Birth and death
About the date of birth of Batyi there are practically no sources. This is a common thing among nomads, who do not memorize such dates.
The only source is “Lists of the world organizer” of the Persian author of the XVI century Kazi Ahmed Ghaffari:
-“He was born in 602 (≈18 VIII 1205-1207 VIII 1206).”
There are more sources about the date of death. But they give different dates:
-1246/1247
-1252/1253
-1255/1256
Juchi
There are many legends regarding Batyi’s father, Juhi. There are few reliable facts about him.
Right of succession
Batu, most likely is not even the second son of Djuchi. The majority of sources name the senior son of Djuchi — the ancestor of a dynasty of the Kazakh khans-chingizids Orda-Ezhen.
It is considered that Juich’s sons Buval and Khordu were older than Batu. But as they are children of concubines their status is much lower.
At the same time, the appointment of Batyi as governor of the Mongol Empire in the western Cuman steppes was influenced by the origin of his mother Uki Khatun, who was the daughter of Alchu (Ilchi)-noyon of the Kungrat tribe. That is, her father was the son of Dai-sechen and brother of Genghis Khan’s elder wife Borte.
Batyi’s position among the Dzhuchids
Batyi took the post of viceroy in the western ulus at the age of 18. The headache for him were 40 sons of Dzhuchi and their children. All of them it was necessary to allocate estates.
First of all Batu allocated the eastern Desht-i-Kipchak to his elder brother Orda-Yezhen. There, later the Nogai Horde, Uzbek and Kazakh khanates would develop.
At the same time, Batu did not trust Horde-Ezhen. As a neutral territory, Batyi allocated to his brother Shiban the territories bordering Horde-Yezhen:
“The yurt (region) in which you will live will be between my yurt and the yurt of my elder brother, Ichen. In summer you shall live on the eastern side of the Yaik, along the rivers Irgiz-suvuk, Or, Ilek up to the mountains of the Urals; and during winter you shall live in Ara-kum, Kara-kum and along the banks of the river Syr — at the mouths of the rivers Chui-soo and Sari-su»” — Khiva khan-historian Abul-Gazi
At the same time Batyi had no troops either. 15 thousand Mongols gave to Orda-Ezhen. Another 4 thousand were commanded by his elder brother Khordu.
Kurultai of 1228
Batu needed to expand the ulus, as at it itself after division between relatives about became only the Ural region. His father Dzhuchi received it as a result of a dangerous intrigue, which most likely cost him his life.
But Batyi did not have the strength to seize new lands. However, Batyi would not have remained in history if he had not been a brilliant politician. In 1228 a kurultai was held, at which Ugedei was chosen as kagan:
“In the year of Mouse (1228) in Keluren Kodeu-aral gathered all completely: Chaadai, Batu and other tsarevitch of the Right hand; Otchigin-noion, Yesunge and other tsarevitch of the Left hand; Tolui and other tsarevitch of the Center; tsarevnas, sons-in-law, noyons-temniks and thousandmen. They have raised on khanate Ogodai-khan which has been named Genghis-khan” — the Hidden Tale
At Kurultai Batu, due to the fact that he recognized for Ugedei and Chagatai part of the lands of his ulus in Central Asia (Samarkand and Bukhara) and east of the Irtysh (from the Horde-Ezhen ulus) was able to get the order of Ugedei to start new campaigns in Iran and Volga Bulgaria with Russia.
However forces at first were necessary in Northern China where there was a war with empire Jin. Had to Batu until 1234 to participate in a campaign to Northern China.
“Some of the sovereigns who had their possessions in the Chinese state were outraged. Kaan [so oriental chroniclers traditionally name Ugedei. — R. P.] had to undertake a campaign in that country. He gave a command that Batu Khan should be together with him in this campaign. Batu Khan with his five younger brothers participated in this campaign. Kaan, having defeated and devastated all those kingdoms, returned to Kara-Korum” — Khiva Khan-historian Abul-Gazi