Temnikov Principality

The Temnikov Principality or Tümen Principality (Төмән ханлыгы, Мурунза Tartari di Mordua), also known as Murunza (Темниковская Мещёра) or the Bekhanid Principality of Tümen was a Mishar and Moksha principality in Eastern Mishar Yurt (Temnikovsky and Kadomsky Uyezds). The state was closely allied with the Grand Duchy of Moscow.

Etymology
Төмән ханлыгы and темник means tümen commander and refers to the city founder Prince Tenish Kugushev or his immediate ancestors. Other scholars M. Safargaliev, P. Chermensky consider Temnikov second one in importance ulus centre after Mukhsha since the etymology of the placename itself points at Golden Horde tümen commander's headquarters.

History
The principality was established by Prince Bekhan in 1388. Principality later expanded and comprised territories between Oka-Tsena-Sura interfluve in (Northern, Western and Eastern Mokshaland). Temnikov, Kadom, Sacony and Andreev townlet had been destroyed during the period of Muscovy and Ryazan Principality raids in first decades of 15th century and later rebuilt in new cites. It was confirmed by archeological findings in 1960s.

Genetics
Members at FamilyTreeDNA tracing royal descent to Prince Bekhan of the Temnikov Principality, are grouped as (07 Tatar Princes – Bekhanids) in the Russian Nobility DNA project. All members belong to Y-haplogroup J2b-L283 > Y12000.

Tümen Princes
Mentioned in Russian sources as Mordvin Princes
 * Kugushevs – Mishar dynasty
 * Rasts – Moksha dynasty (sometimes mistakenly referred to as "Siberian" since Tümen and Tyumen were mixed Djagfar Tarikhy mentioned Rasts as Seber Princes, which means "of Moksha or Hungarian descent"

Administration
The Principality was divided into belyaks.

Population
The land was inhabited mainly by Mokshas, Mishars and Erzyas. Some Burtases resettled to Northern Mokshaland, and would be mentioned in later Russian documents as Posop Tatars since they served as prince's army bread suppliers and paid bread tax.