Mukhsha Ulus (Tatar: Мухша олысы, Muxşa olısı, موحشا ﯘلىسى), or Naruchat Duchy (Tatar: Наручат бәклегел, Naruçat bäklege, ناروچات بەكلئگئل; Moksha: Мурунза, Murunza; Church Slavonic: Нароучадская орда, Naruchad Horde) was a subdivision of the Golden Horde in Central Mokshaland, covering the territory of modern Mordovia, Penza Oblast and Tambov Oblast of Russia in the 13th-15th centuries with the capital in Mukhsha. The population consisted mainly of Mokshas, Mişär Tatars, and Burtas. In 1313–1367 they minted their own money. The population was mostly agricultural, some were cattle-breeders and craftsmen. The main territory of the ulus (district) was situated between the rivers Sura and Tsna.
The territory of the Medieval Moksha kingdom Murunza was conquered by Batu Khan in 1237[1] In Latin sources mentioned as Moxel (Mokshaland).[2] Russian Laurentian Codex mentions the name of the Moksha king, Puresh.[3]
...in the year of the chicken, corresponding to 634, the sons of Jochi - Bagu, Orda and Berke, the son of Ugetai-kaan - Kadan, the grandson of Chagatai - Buri and the son of Genghis Khan - Kulkan engaged in a war with Mokshas, Burtases and Arjans and in a short time took over them.[4]
In 1313-1342 Mukhsha became the administrative center of Mukhsha Ulus and residence of Öz Beg Khan. In 1395 it suffered the raid of Timur who destroyed the capital Mukhsha. In 1360 Tağay beg conquered the ulus. It became a semi-independent Naruchat duchy. In 1367 Mamai conquered that duchy. In the end of 14th century the duchy declined and in the beginning of 15th century Russians conquered it. Naruçat Duchy was a place where Mişär Tatars and Mişär dialect were formed.