Born: 1216 (circa), Russia
Died: 20 November 1242
Country most active: Russia
Also known as: Нарчат, Нарчатка, Нарича, Narchat, Narchatka, Naricha
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Narchat (Moksha: Нарчат, Нарчатка, Нарича, romanized as Narchat, Narchatka, Naricha) was an essential figure in Moksha history. Narchat, also known as Murunza in Russian sources, held the title of Moksha Queen and ruled over the land of Moxel. She was the daughter of King Puresh and the sister of Atämaz.
In September 1237, Mongols invaded the Kingdom of Moxel, also known as the ‘Moksha Kingdom’ in Latin sources. They captured Noronshasht, killing its residents. Narchat’s father, brother, and the Moxel army joined the Mongols on their way to Europe. Narchat remained to rule.
Upon learning of her family’s deaths in Germany, Narchat attacked Mongol convoys passing through Mokshaland. Mongols later returned, seized Sernya, and razed it. Queen Narchat and a small group escaped but were pursued. Her men were defeated, and she drowned in the Moksha River with her horse. on this day in 1242.
The Mokshans are an ethnic group of Mordvinian descent, part of the Volgaic branch within the larger Finno-Ugric peoples community. They primarily inhabit regions near the Volga and Moksha rivers, with the latter being a tributary of the Oka River. Their native language is Mokshan, one of the two surviving members of the Mordvinic branch within the Uralic language family. According to the 1994 Russian census, 49% of the native Finnic population in Mordovia identify themselves as Mokshans, totaling over 180,000 people. Most Mokshans adhere to the Russian Orthodox Church, while some practice Lutheranism and paganism.