Avraga

Avarga lies on the steppe near the junction of the Kherlen and Tsenker rivers in eastern Mongolia. The Mongolian name is connected with a spring or origin, and the broad grassland provided water, pasture and room for the animals of a mobile court. It stood within the country associated with Genghis Khan's family.

After Genghis Khan defeated the Jurkin, Avarga became the first nomadic capital of the Mongol Empire. It collected and distributed goods from across the conquered territories. Oral tradition places Börte and other members of the ruling family there during the Khwarazm campaign of 1218–1223, while archaeological study identifies the site as an early winter base.

As the empire expanded, Avarga proved too small for the growing court, and Karakorum became a new administrative centre. Avarga retained prestige as the original seat and later became a focus of the imperial cult of Genghis Khan. Its history combined pasture, storage, family authority and the ceremonial memory of the empire's founder. The surrounding pastures and river water sustained horses and sheep, while officials moved between this camp and other seasonal residences. Its seasonal camps also sheltered craftsmen, herds and stores of grain during winter.