8 Sept 1380
Moscow’s victory was a turning point in the 250-year-long Mongol Tatar yoke in Russia. Although Mongol rule lasted for another century, it slowly began to crumble from that point.
“Duel On the Kulikovo Field” by Mikhail Avilov (1943)
Background
The Golden Horde was torn between rivaling khans in a fierce civil war. At the same time, new powerful state of Moscow had emerged, that was reluctant to take orders.
The Battle
The Khan Mamai personally took his 150,000 men against Moscow to consolidate his dominance. He was opposed by the joint army of 60,000, led by the Grand Prince of Moscow, Dmitry Donskoy. They met in the Kulikovo Field near the Don River (a present-day village of Kurkino in Tula province).
The Battle began with a one-to-one duel, that ended in a draw. After 3 hours of fierce fighting, the Mongol army was destroyed. Dmitry Donskoy himself was wounded (he had changed clothes with an infantryman to avoid being an easy target – that probably saved his life).
Legacy
Dmitry Donskoy got his name from the battle and became a national hero thereafter.
Battle of Kulikovo
8 Sept 1380
Moscow’s victory was a turning point in the 250-year-long Mongol Tatar yoke in Russia. Although Mongol rule lasted for another century, it slowly began to crumble from that point.
“Duel On the Kulikovo Field” by Mikhail Avilov (1943)
Background
The Golden Horde was torn between rivaling khans in a fierce civil war. At the same time, new powerful state of Moscow had emerged, that was reluctant to take orders.
The Battle
The Khan Mamai personally took his 150,000 men against Moscow to consolidate his dominance. He was opposed by the joint army of 60,000, led by the Grand Prince of Moscow, Dmitry Donskoy. They met in the Kulikovo Field near the Don River (a present-day village of Kurkino in Tula province).
The Battle began with a one-to-one duel, that ended in a draw. After 3 hours of fierce fighting, the Mongol army was destroyed. Dmitry Donskoy himself was wounded (he had changed clothes with an infantryman to avoid being an easy target – that probably saved his life).
Legacy
Dmitry Donskoy got his name from the battle and became a national hero thereafter.
Vasily II