Editing Khazars (section)

==== Ruling elite ====
The ruling stratum, like that of the later [[Borjigin|Činggisids]] within the [[Golden Horde]], was a relatively small group that differed ethnically and linguistically from its subject peoples, meaning the [[Alans|Alano-As]] and Oğuric Turkic tribes, who were numerically superior within Khazaria.{{sfn|Golden|2006|p=88}} The Khazar Qağans, while taking wives and concubines from the subject populations, were protected by a [[Khwarezm|Khwârazmian]] guard corps, or ''[[Comitatus (classical meaning)|comitatus]]'', called the [[Arsiyah|Ursiyya]].{{efn|group=note|This regiment was exempt from campaigning against fellow Muslims, evidence that non-Judaic beliefs were no obstacle to access to the highest levels of government. They had abandoned their homeland and sought service with the Khazars in exchange for the right to exercise their religious freedom, according to al-Masudi {{harv|Golden|2007b|p=138}}.}}{{efn|group=note|Olsson writes that there is no evidence for this Islamic guard for the 9th century, but that its existence is attested for 913 {{harv|Olsson|2013|p=507}}.}} But unlike many other local polities, they hired soldiers (mercenaries) (the ''junûd murtazîqa'' in [[Al-Masudi|al-Mas'ûdî]]).{{sfn|Golden|2006|pp=79–80, 88}} At the peak of their empire, the Khazars ran a centralised fiscal administration, with a standing army of some 7–12,000 men, which could, at need, be multiplied two or three times that number by inducting reserves from their nobles' retinues.{{sfn|Olsson|2013|p=495}}{{efn|group=note|Noonan gives the lower figure for the Muslim contingents, but adds that the army could draw on other mercenaries stationed in the capital, Rūs, [[Saqaliba|Ṣaqāliba]] and pagans. Olsson's 10,000 refers to the spring-summer horsemen in the nomadic king's retinue {{harv|Noonan|2007|pp=211, 217}}.}} Other figures for the permanent standing army indicate that it numbered as many as one hundred thousand. They controlled and exacted tribute from 25 to 30 different nations and tribes inhabiting the vast territories between the Caucasus, the Aral Sea, the Ural Mountains, and the Ukrainian steppes.{{sfn|Koestler|1977|p=18}} Khazar armies were led by the Qağan Bek (pronounced as Kagan Bek) and commanded by subordinate [[officer (armed forces)|officers]] known as [[tarkhan]]s. When the bek sent out a body of troops, they would not retreat under any circumstances. If they were defeated, every one who returned was killed.{{sfn|Dunlop|1954|p=113}}

Settlements were governed by administrative officials known as ''[[tudun]]s''. In some cases, such as the Byzantine settlements in southern [[Crimea]], a ''tudun'' would be appointed for a town nominally within another polity's [[sphere of influence]]. Other officials in the Khazar government included dignitaries referred to by [[ibn Fadlan]] as ''[[Jawyshyghr]]'' and ''[[Kündür]]'', but their responsibilities are unknown.