Ukek a city of the Golden Horde, was situated near the site of the modern city of Saratov from the mid-13th century until its destruction by Tamerlane in 1395. Saratov was founded in its present location in 1590 as a czarist stronghold.It traces its history to the reign of Tsar Fyodor Lvanovich, who constructed several settlements along theVolga river in order to secure the southeastern boundary of his state. During the summer of 1586, the fortress of Samara was founded, followed by Tsarityn in 1589 and finally Saratov, located midway between Samara and Tsaritsyn, in 1590.Saratov was built at the insistence of count Grigory . All three forts were located in a region where the Volga and the Don flow nearest one another, which allowed the Duchy of Moscovy to secure both rivers and to ensure control over the recently annexed khanstes of Kazan and Astrakhan in the years following the Liwonian War.
