1359-1389 Grand Prince of Moscow.
He was the first Russian prince who openly challenged the Mongols and defeated them in a decisive battle. Although Mongol rule lasted for yet another century, it was the beginning of the end of Mongol rule in Russia.
Background
Lived: 1350-1389.
By the 14th century the Golden Horde had been severely weakened and split into two by civil war. Dmitry Donskoy saw this as an opportunity to rise against the Tatars.
Kremlin
First he began constructing the stone fortifications of the Moscow Kremlin. That enabled him to successfully resist the siege of Moscow by the Lithuanians in 1372.
Battle of Kulikovo
In 1380, he met the Mongol army of Khan Mamai in an open valley near the Don River. The Battle of Kulikovo had begun. Almost the entire Mongol army was destroyed. Dmity became a national hero and a saint and earned the nickname Donskoy (“of the Don”).
Results
Two years later in 1382 the Tatar khan Tokhtamysh launched a surprise attack on Moscow, and Mongol rule over Russia was restored for another century.
Dmitry Donskoy
1359-1389 Grand Prince of Moscow.
He was the first Russian prince who openly challenged the Mongols and defeated them in a decisive battle. Although Mongol rule lasted for yet another century, it was the beginning of the end of Mongol rule in Russia.
Background
Lived: 1350-1389.
By the 14th century the Golden Horde had been severely weakened and split into two by civil war. Dmitry Donskoy saw this as an opportunity to rise against the Tatars.
Kremlin
First he began constructing the stone fortifications of the Moscow Kremlin. That enabled him to successfully resist the siege of Moscow by the Lithuanians in 1372.
Battle of Kulikovo
In 1380, he met the Mongol army of Khan Mamai in an open valley near the Don River. The Battle of Kulikovo had begun. Almost the entire Mongol army was destroyed. Dmity became a national hero and a saint and earned the nickname Donskoy (“of the Don”).
Results
Two years later in 1382 the Tatar khan Tokhtamysh launched a surprise attack on Moscow, and Mongol rule over Russia was restored for another century.
Battle of Kulikovo