Keraites

The Keraites (also Kerait, Kereit, Khereid; Mongolian: Хэрэйд; Chinese: 克烈) were one of the five dominant Mongol or Turkic tribal confederations (khanates) in the Altai-Sayan region during the 12th century. They had converted to the Church of the East (Nestorianism) in the early 11th century and are one of the possible sources of the European Prester John legend.

Keraites
Хэрэйд (Khereid)
11th century–13th century
StatusSubjects to:
Liao dynasty,
Qara Khitai (Western Liao),
Genghisids
Religion
Church of the East
GovernmentKhanate
Khan 
 11th century
Markus Buyruk Khan
 12th century
Saryk Khan
 12th century
Kurchakus Buyruk Khan
 1203
Toghrul Khan (last)
Historical eraMiddle Ages
 Established
11th century
 absorbed into the Mongol Empire.
13th century
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Zubu
Kara-Khanid Khanate
Mongol Empire
Today part ofKhalkha Mongols, Buryats, Kalmyks and some other Mongol and Turkic peoples

Their original territory was expansive, corresponding to much of what is now Mongolia. Vasily Bartold (1913) located them along the upper Onon and Kherlen rivers and along the Tuul river. They were defeated by Genghis Khan in 1203 and became influential in the rise of the Mongol Empire, and were gradually absorbed into the succeeding Turco-Mongol khanates during the 13th century.

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