“Jochi, son of Genghis Khan, and founder of the Great Western Hordes dynasty, was perhaps one of the most prominent figures of the early Mongol Empires period, especially in and around modern Western Eurasia (and is considered a national hero by many states in the area, like the Kingdom of Sarai, Union of Rus, etc), namely due to his and his descendents achievement of completely destroying the European and Old Slavic dominance in the region, achieving a empire that lasted longer than any other Khanate in history.
During the last year of Genghis‘ reign, Jochi deserted his father and the Empire (many historians attributing this to the strained relationship between the pair and other members of the family, due to the question of Jochi´s parentage as well as rumors of a attempted assassination plot against him by either his father or younger brother), and began a expedition into North-West, sacking southern Russian principalities as he went by. This prompted Genghis to send his brothers, Ogedei (the future Great Khan and founder of the Yuan dynasty in Eastern Eurasia) and Chagatai (the second eldest son) to bring him back (many believing to be executed), but after months of searching, finding his camp and preparing to bring him back to heel, leading to a standoff somewhere near modern Ousa, the trio heard of their fathers death, and Ogedei, now Great Khan, called a truce with Jochi if he agreed to recognize him at the Kurultai as the Great Khan (Jochi himself stated later that he believed his brother never wanted his death, and would’ve refused to kill him even by their fathers orders).
Jochi accepted, but only if he be allowed to return to his tumen again as a leader, which Ogedei accepted, putting down a outraged Chagatais disapproval (Chagatai had long being the one behind many hated comments against Jochis parentage, and even refused to follow him if Genghis had named him Great Khan as was Mongol tradition). So, following their return to the still developing Mongol capital, a Kurultai was called and all agreed on Ogedei succession. However (like Genghis Khans cumulate several years before announcing who would succeed him) Chagatai, in blind outrage at hearing Jochi being allowed to keep all Russian cities he had captured during his expeditions, as well as gaining several regions around the Aral Sea (modern Tolui Lake), which had being promised to him, he once again denounced Jochi in open court, throwing abuse, until it lead to blows, and eventually, Chagatai´s death at the hands of Jochi´s second-in-command (who was summarily banished for killing a member of the Great Khans family, but was allowed to return to Jochi´s territory after a year)
Jochi was pardoned by the new Great Khan and allowed to return to his newly appointed lands to expand to his hearts content, or to quote Ogedei, “As far north and west until all were trod under the hooves of his tumens”, as well as giving Jochi, and his descendents, the priveliedge of not having to personally be at any Kurultai, but allowing a member of the family to represent their thoughts (essentially a ambassadorial post).
This dispensation was to prove invaluable during the Jochi´s conquests of the Russian principalities, where he could continue to conquer them without having to return back to Mongolia each time a Kurultai was called, and this, amongst his many qualities as a great general, appointing able administrators and his tolerance of his conquered peoples (there are many accounts that prove he was of kinder disposition than his father or brothers, but still retained his destructive streak, such as in the Vladmir Revolt, where, after he suppressed the city, he had its entire male population, including children, livestock and animals, burned, a undertaking that took over 12 days and lead to many Western Russian cities capitulating before his armies even reached their walls), which lead him, and his sons, to break the back of Medieval Europe. These exploits and conquests laid the foundations of a empire that his sons, and their sons, ruled until the late 17th century, and many states in the area today can trace their origins back to Jochi´s Horde.
Unfortunately, like his father before him, Jochi was to never fully realize his dreams of complete expansion, and at the siege of Kiev, was felled by a arrow, which caused sepsis (some contemporaries explained it as the use of poisonous arrows used by some defenders, but was more likely brought on by infection due to poor treatment of the wound), and so, in his mid sixties, on the 17th (some say 18th) of October 1253, Jochi “the Western Warrior” died, succeeded by his eldest son Batu Khan, who Kublai Khan later named the “Great Western Khan” as part of the dual Khan system established to stabilize the Empire (this was created originally as a alliance between the East and West against Islamic revolts in the Arabian Khanates, but eventually was prolonged), and also retroactively bestowed Jochi as first with the name (which led to Jochis Khanate being named “The Great Western Horde”, in his honor).”
- Prof. Abdal Karl Foriva
Rise and Fall of the Mongol World
Pg. 1-2; Chapter 4: Great Western Horde