Political, Legal, Religious Reforms of the Altyn Orda in Its Early Years

This study scientifically analyzes the influence of Islam in political independence movements, more specifically its effect on the historic Mongol Altyn Orda, and presents new insight on the political and legal reform processes in Kazakhstan within a historical context. In particular, this study will look at the religious dispute that took place between the descendants of Genghis Khan’s eldest son Jochi following the death of Batu, Jochi’s second son and his successor, who founded the Orda in his name. In this conflict, Berke, Batu Khan’s brother, eventually won the political struggle that erupted after Batu’s death. His support of Islam caused the permanent division of his grandfather Genghis Khan’s empire, but it can also be shown that his choice of religion strengthened the independence of the Altyn Orda. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6s1p561