'Xacitarxan', alternatively called 'Khadjitarkhan' or 'Actarxan' or 'Astrakhan' (in Persian sources: حاجیترخان Haji-Tarkhan; Russian sources: Астрахань Astrakhan'), was a medieval city at the right bank of
Volga, situated approximately 12km north of the modern city of
Astrakhan. The first mention of the town was recorded in
1333. In the 13th and 14th centuries it was one of the main trade and political centres of
Golden Horde. In
1395 the city was sacked by
Timur. Astrakhan was rebuilt afterwards and became the capital of the
Khanate of Astrakhan in
1459. In
1547 the city was seized by the
Crimean khan Sahib-Giray. In
1556 Astrakhan was besieged and burned by
Ivan the Terrible.
See also
★
Saqsin
★
Atil