War between Timur and Tokhtamysh (1390s)

Name: War between Timur and Tokhtamysh (1390s)
Start: 1391
End: 1398

Type Event Region Central Asia Time 1391–1398

Timur and Golden Horde khan Tokhtamysh fought a prolonged war over steppe hegemony and suzerainty;…

Timeline

1391–1393Steppe between the Syr Darya and the Volga · steppeTokhtamysh had once been placed on the throne with Timur's support, but the two later fell out over suzerainty, control of trade routes, and territorial claims; border conflicts and raids became frequent and war escalated once more.
1395Sarai · Lower VolgaTimur personally led a great army northward, defeating Tokhtamysh in a steppe battle, then capturing and sacking Sarai, capital of the Golden Horde; Tokhtamysh was forced into exile.
1396–1398Upper Volga and the Siberian routes · VolgaTokhtamysh briefly restored his position and counterattacked Timur's vassals; Timur again took the field in pursuit, and Tokhtamysh's power was completely shattered, ending the war with a total Timurid victory.