Bilhorod Horde

Bilhorod Horde, Budzhak Horde, Budzhak Tatars. One of the Nogay Tatar hordes that lived as a protectorate of the Crimean Khanate and Turkey.

In the 17th century the horde migrated from the Caspian steppes to the steppes of the Budzhak. The Bilhorod Tatars (20,000-30,000) were nomadic herdsmen. They made forays for slaves and loot into Right-Bank Ukraine and Moldavia. In 1770 the horde became a protectorate of Russia and soon after was dispersed through resettlement in the Azov steppes. From there its remnants emigrated to Turkey during the Crimean War.