The principality of Nizhny Novgorod was formed as a result of complex relations between the Russian principalities and the Horde khans, who unceremoniously interfered in the affairs of the princes. It did not last long, just over 50 years, and left a bright mark on the history of not only the Middle Volga region, but the entire state, becoming one of the main participants in the historical events to overthrow the long-term Tatar-Mongol yoke.
Events of the early XIV century
Two great principalities, Moscow and Tver, began the struggle for supremacy in the Russian lands. The Moscow prince Ivan Kalita during the years of his reign achieved a preponderance of forces over Tver. In 1327, Prince Alexander Mikhailovich of Tver and Vladimir raised an uprising against the Horde ambassador, and Khan Uzbek sent united Tatar and Russian troops to pacify the rebellion, led by Ivan Kalita and Prince Alexander Vasilyevich of Suzdal. The prince of Tver had to flee, leaving the throne of the grand duke.
Uzbek, who decided to reward obedient princes, divided the liberated lands between them. Ivan Kalita received Veliky Novgorod and Kostroma, and Alexander Suzdalsky - Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod and Gorodets. After the imminent death of Prince Alexander, his lands also passed into the power of Kalita. So Nizhny Novgorod began to be governed by the Moscow and Vladimir princes, in which his sons helped him. The eldest son of Kalita, Simeon the Proud, sat in Nizhny and ruled there until the death of his father in 1340.
Here again the question arose about the fate of the lands given to Kalita by Khan. The Russian princes rushed to the Horde to resolve the issue, since both of them had equal rights to the possession of the Nizhny Novgorod throne. Khan Uzbek gave Vladimir to Simeon the Proud, making him the eldest of the princes. But the plans of the cunning khan did not include an excessive strengthening of Moscow power, so he immediately took Nizhny Novgorod and Gorodets from Simeon, transferring them to the possession of the Suzdal prince Konstantin Vasilyevich. He achieved his goal by settling for a long time discord between the Moscow and Suzdal princes. It was in 1341.
Education and flourishing of the Suzdal-Nizhny Novgorod principality
The specified year is considered the year of formation of a new principality in the Volga region. Simeon the Proud could not leave the thought of returning such a rich city under his rule. He repeatedly addressed this request to the Golden Horde, but to no avail. Prince Konstantin, fearing that the city would be taken from him by force, left Suzdal and moved to Nizhny Novgorod.
The city at the confluence of the Volga andOk, it has evolved rapidly. Various agricultural crops were grown on the surrounding lands. Rye was the main cereal plant, well born in these parts. Oats, wheat, buckwheat were also widely sown. Industrial crops were also grown: hemp and flax. Fishing and hunting were of great importance in the Nizhny Novgorod principality. Local residents were also engaged in beekeeping and s alt making.
Centers of crafts were such large cities as Nizhny and Gorodets. Here they were engaged in metal and woodworking, jewelry, weaving, ceramics production and bone carving. On the territory of the principality, in addition to their own money, there were coins of other principalities and states, which indicates a wide geography of trading activity.
For fifteen years of reign, Konstantin Vasilievich significantly expanded his possessions, conquering the surrounding pagan tribes and annexing their land holdings to his principality.
Nizhny Novgorod - the capital of the great Nizhny Novgorod Principality
The city in these years has developed rapidly and comprehensively. This was primarily due to its geographical position. Trade along the Volga provided ample opportunities for development, not only Russian merchants came to visit, but also representatives of other states: Egypt, India, Persia.
Cultural development was accompanied by an upsurge in painting, literature and architecture. It was in the middle of the XIV century that the Laurentian Chronicle was written here. The high literacy of a certain segment of the population made it possible to penetrateRussian land to foreign cultures.
Grand Prince of Nizhny Novgorod Konstantin Vasilyevich
Prince Konstantin, who occupied the throne for 15 years, did a lot for the flourishing of the Volga lands. He took another step to strengthen his power: in order to move away from the Moscow regiments, the grand prince's throne was transferred to the hard-to-reach Dyatlovy mountains.
It happened in 1350. And after this event, several profitable marriages of the children of Constantine with the sons and daughters of powerful and strong princes were concluded. Thus, the international relations of the great Nizhny Novgorod-Suzdal principality were strengthened.
Prince Andrei's reign
In 1355, Prince Konstantin died, power passed into the hands of his eldest son Andrei. Five years after his accession to the throne, Khan Naurus offered him a label for the reign of Vladimir, which the Grand Duke refused so as not to incite enmity with the direct heir to the throne. He was not afraid of the Khan's army, sent to pacify the disobedient.
During his reign, the development of the region reached its maximum. But the troubles that piled up in the form of drought and famine, diseases and numerous deaths among the population undermined the strength of Andrei Konstantinovich, and in 1365 he died without leaving direct heirs.
Brothers Boris and Dmitry
The subsequent history of the Nizhny Novgorod principality is characterized by a fierce struggle for the vacant throne by princes Dmitry and Boris. The brothers did not succumb to the persuasion of intermediaries, including Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy andReverend Father Sergius. Then the Moscow regiments came out for Prince Dmitry, and Boris retreated from Nizhny Novgorod.
Later, both brothers fought side by side with enemies more than once, defending the independence of the Novgorod land. After the death of Dmitry in 1383, Boris did not immediately manage to sit on the throne of Nizhny Novgorod, because there were many who wanted to. But in 1390, he finally received the long-awaited label from the Khan. But he owned Nizhny Novgorod for only two years.
The reign of the brothers is the time of the struggle against the Tatar-Mongol yoke. It was headed by Vasily Dmitrievich, the Moscow prince. Novgorod princes occupied different positions, either participating in the liberation struggle, or supporting the Golden Horde.
The decline and annexation of the Nizhny Novgorod principality
The subsequent weakening of the principality was facilitated by objective and subjective reasons. The first include the drought, famine, pestilence, and fires that occurred under Constantine. But the long struggle for the throne between the brothers Boris and Dmitry - a subjective reason - economically exhausted the entire region. At the same time, the Moscow principality is gaining strength and power, which unites small destinies around itself.
The raids of Tatars and nomads on the weakening principality became more frequent, the city was ruined, the inhabitants were killed. Trade people began to move to Moscow, under the protection of a strong prince. Following the economic decline came the political. It became apparent that the principality was unable to defend itself on its own.
In 1392, Moscow Prince Vasily Dmitrievich received fromKhan label on several destinies, including Nizhny Novgorod. Thus, the unification of the Nizhny Novgorod principality with the Moscow lands took place, which was an important step in collecting appanages into a single state.
