Khan's Den

Khan's Den Latest Episodes

Episode 1: The Göktürk Chronicles: Children of Asena's Tale

In winter of 515 AD, under the Altai Mountains' shadow, the Ashina Türks endure the oppression of Rouran rule. As tax collectors demand tribute—horses, men, and dignity—young Bumin witnesses his father reduced to subservience, questioning if his clan are mere slaves.


On a cold night, carried by the wind, change is in the air as his mother, Ay Hatun, shares a transformative story. From the ruins of a lost civilization to the mystical cave where Gök Börü, the Blue Wolf of Tengri, saved the last Turk, this legend ignites a revolution within Bumin.


A tale of loss, renewal, divine wolves, and courage, revealing that a Turk child's destiny was never slavery but the hunt of a wolf biding its time.

Show notes

The Cuman-Kipchak Confederation: A Detailed History

Explore the fascinating rise and fall of the Cuman-Kipchak confederation across the Eurasian steppe, as they challenged empires and formed crucial alliances. Discover how their fearsome cavalry impacted medieval Europe, including battles that defined their legacy, such as Kalka River and Mohi. Learn about their cultural influence, from the Codex Cumanicus to the spread of Tengrism, and their eventual integration into the Golden Horde, shaping the region's history.
Show notes

The Khazar Empire: Turkic-Jewish Influence in Medieval Ukraine

Discover the Khazar Empire, a captivating yet lesser-known state of the Middle Ages. These Turkic warriors established a significant trading empire between Europe and Asia, uniquely converting to Judaism. From their beginnings as Tengrist steppe nomads to their rise as a trading power in Ukraine and the Caucasus, explore their religious transformation and lasting impact on Eastern European Jewry. Uncover the story of their role in trade, their battles with Arabs, Byzantines, and other Turkic peoples, and their eventual fall to the Kievan Rus' and Oghuz Turks. Delve into the controversial Khazar Hypothesis and their enduring legacy.
Show notes

The Khan Relives Memories of His Past in a Stormy Cave

Join a mysterious man, possibly in his 40s, as he takes refuge from a storm inside a cave in the Central Asian steppes. While the Khan waits for the rain to end, he relives memories of his forgotten past as a great ruler leading his men to victory. Experience the battle cries, clinging swords, and flying arrows with him.
Show notes

Episode 1: Mystery of the Issyk Golden Prince in Kazakhstan

Discover the secrets of the Issyk Golden Man from a 2,500-year-old burial mound in Kazakhstan. Delve into the opulent burial of this ancient ruler, adorned with thousands of gold ornaments. Was this figure male or female? What does his mysterious death reveal about early steppe power dynamics? Uncover how this discovery challenges our understanding of ancient Turkic culture and early nomadic societies.
Show notes