The Tartarians, often referred to as Tatars or Tartars, were historically Turkic-speaking nomadic peoples from Central Asia and Siberia who played a major role in medieval Eurasian history, particularly as part of the Mongol Empire's Golden Horde. In modern online discussions, "Tartarians" frequently points to a popular conspiracy theory claiming a lost advanced civilization with grand architecture that was supposedly erased from history.

Historical Tartars

Real Tartars emerged around the 5th century CE among nomadic tribes near Lake Baikal and northeastern Mongolia, speaking Turkic languages distinct from Mongols.

  • They fused with Mongol forces under Genghis Khan in the 13th century, invading Russia, Hungary, and beyond, earning the "Tatar" label in Europe for these "hordes."
  • Post-Mongol Empire, they formed khanates like Kazan, Crimea, and Astrakhan, which Russia conquered by the 16th century; Crimean Tatars persisted as Ottoman allies into the 18th century.

Today, over 5 million Tatars live mainly in Russia's Volga region, Ural Mountains, and former Soviet areas, preserving Turkic culture and Islam- influenced traditions.

Conspiracy Theory Origins

The "Tartarian Empire" myth surged on forums like Reddit's r/Tartaria around 2020, alleging a vast, technologically superior empire spanning Asia to North America, with mud floods and elite cover-ups hiding free-energy buildings like world's fairs pavilions.

"Tartaria figured in countless maps until the 19th century... mysterious names like Molgomzaia, Bargu, Baida."

Historians dismiss this: "Tartary" was just a vague European map term for unknown Central Asian steppes, not a unified empire. No evidence supports advanced tech; claims repurpose real maps (e.g., 1492 Behaim globe) and photos out of context.

Trending Forum Views

Recent Reddit threads (up to 2025) show polarized takes:

  • Believers share "resources" like old maps and "Tartarian architecture" (e.g., ornate 19th-century buildings), speculating resets via wars or "mud floods."
  • Skeptics call it a meme or QAnon-style pseudohistory, banned on subs like r/Archeology for lacking sources.
  • Multi-viewpoint: Some link to real Tatar history (Orkhon Inscriptions mentioning them as Turk subjects), others fabricate "white giants" or Alexandria library burns as cover-ups.

Perspective| Key Claim| Counterpoint 17
---|---|---
Historical| Turkic nomads in Golden Horde| Accurate, but no "empire" post-16th century
Conspiracy| Mud flood erased advanced civ| No archaeological proof; maps were exploratory
Modern Tatar| Ethnic group in Russia| 6+ million today, unrelated to myths

Cultural Legacy Today

Tatar descendants maintain vibrant identities, with Kazan as a cultural hub hosting festivals and mosques blending Islamic and steppe heritage. Conspiracy buzz peaked mid-2020s on TikTok/Reddit but wanes as debunkings grow, though it inspires "alternative history" art.

TL;DR: Tartarians were real Turkic-Mongol nomads who shaped Eurasia; the "lost empire" is a fun but unfounded internet myth mixing maps and misread history.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.