Sarai-Batu

(also Staryi Sarai [Old Sarai]; in the chronicles, Sarai Bol’shie [Great Sarais]; now the village of Selitrennoe, Kharabali Raion, Astrakhan Oblast), a city built by Batu Khan in 1254 (according to Rubruquis). Originally, Sarai-Batu was the Golden Horde’s capital, a city of many palaces, mosques, and artisan quarters. Not far away was a large necropolis. Internecine conflict among the khans and, in 1395, the campaign of Tamerlane inflicted great damage on Sarai-Batu. In 1480 the city was destroyed.

Excavations in Sarai-Batu were carried out by F. V. Ballod in 1922 and by P. S. Rykov in 1931. In the 18th century there was a saltpeter works where the city once stood.