Xacitarxan or Khadjitarkhan (Actarxan), also known as Astrakhan in Russian sources, was a medieval 13th-16th century city at the right bank of Volga, upper in 12 km than modern Astrakhan. It was a major trade center at the crossing of major trade roads. In 13-14th centuries it was one of the main trade and political centres of Golden Horde. In 1395 it was seized and ruined by Timur. Later, the city was recreated again, and from the middle of 15th century, it was a capital of the Khanate of Astrakhan. In 1547 it was seized by the Crimean khan Sahib-Giray , and in 1554-1556 the city was besieged and burned by Russians under Ivan the Terrible. In 1556 Khanate of Astrakhan was absorbed into the Russian state and the ancient city was through.
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