What is the Truth about Tartaria

Kings and Generals・2 minutes read

The Myth of Great Tartaria is debunked as a conspiracy theory linked to the Mongol Empire, with the term "Tartary" historically referring to Asian regions associated with Mongol rulers. The belief in a vast Tartarian Empire arises from misunderstandings in European mapmaking practices from the 16th to 19th centuries, emphasizing the importance of critically analyzing historical sources beyond just European cartography.

Insights

  • The "Myth of Great Tartaria" is a conspiracy theory suggesting the existence of a vast empire called Great Tartaria until 200 years ago, based on a misunderstanding of historical European mapmaking practices.
  • The term "Tartary" historically referred to regions associated with Mongolian rulers, such as the Golden Horde, the Mughal Dynasty in India, and the Qing Dynasty in China, highlighting the complexity and misinterpretation of historical labels like "Tatar" and "Tartary" in European cartography.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Myth of Great Tartaria?

    The Myth of Great Tartaria is a conspiracy theory suggesting the existence of a vast empire called Great Tartaria until 200 years ago. It is often linked to the Mongol Empire and historical mislabeling of regions as Tartary due to associations with Tatars and Mongols.

  • What is the historical usage of the term "Tartary"?

    The term "Tartary" was a European name for most of Asia from the 13th to 19th centuries. It was often mistakenly used to refer to regions historically associated with Mongol rulers like Chinggis Khan and Tamerlane, including India under the Mughal Dynasty and the Manchu rulers of the Qing Dynasty.

  • Who are the Tatars in present times?

    Presently, the term "Tatars" primarily refers to Muslim Turkic people in Eastern Europe and Russia, particularly those descended from the Golden Horde. Regions like Siberia, once labeled as Tartary, are notable examples of areas historically associated with the Tatars.

  • How did European mapmaking practices contribute to the Tartaria myth?

    European mapmakers from the 16th to 19th centuries inaccurately labeled large parts of Asia as Tartaria due to associations with Tatars and Mongols. This lazy naming convention, influenced by colonial interests, led to the misunderstanding of a vast Tartarian Empire that did not reflect true political or geographical realities.

  • Why is it important to critically analyze historical sources beyond European cartography?

    It is crucial to critically analyze historical sources beyond European cartography because the inaccurate naming conventions of European mapmakers, influenced by colonial interests, do not necessarily reflect the true political or geographical realities on the ground. This highlights the need to delve deeper into historical sources to gain a more accurate understanding of past events and civilizations.

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Summary

00:00

Debunking Great Tartaria: Internet Conspiracy Theory Explained

  • The internet is rife with strange beliefs and theories shared on message boards worldwide.
  • The "Myth of Great Tartaria" is a conspiracy theory often linked to the Mongol Empire.
  • A guide to debunking this internet myth is provided, along with tools for clarification.
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  • Subscribers before December 31st are entered to win free tickets to Japan through Bokksu.
  • The Tartaria myth suggests a vast empire called Great Tartaria existed until 200 years ago.
  • The term "Tartary" was a European name for most of Asia from the 13th to 19th centuries.
  • The historical usage of the term "Tatar" refers to Mongolian peoples and their empire.

13:00

Misconceptions of Tartary in Historical Mapping

  • Many regions historically associated with Mongol rulers like Chinggis Khan and Tamerlane were often mistakenly labeled as Tataria, including India under the Mughal Dynasty and the Manchu rulers of the Qing Dynasty.
  • Presently, the term "Tatars" primarily refers to Muslim Turkic people in Eastern Europe and Russia, particularly those descended from the Golden Horde, with Siberia being a notable example of a region once labeled as Tartary.
  • The belief in a vast Tartarian Empire stems from a misunderstanding of European mapmaking practices from the 16th to 19th centuries, where large parts of Asia were lazily referred to as Tartaria due to associations with Tatars and Mongols.
  • European mapmakers' inaccurate naming conventions, influenced by colonial interests, do not necessarily reflect the true political or geographical realities on the ground, highlighting the need to critically analyze historical sources beyond just European cartography.
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