Khour I (Chechen: Эла Ховра), sometimes also referred to as Mokhtsur (Chechen: Мохцур) was a Chechen leader and self proclaimed ruler of the Durdzuks and Alans from 1241 to 1252 as well as the leader of the Insurgency in Durdzuketi. He belonged to the powerful Sado-Orsoy clan. Family and descendants Khasi I Atachi Khour I Chakh Khasi II Khour II Makhama Surakat Bayr Sarka Early life In the early 1200s, he was sent on two major campaigns together with the Georgian commander Ivane Mkhargrdzeli: The first being the invasion and pacification of the region Mingrelia, while the second being the invasion of Circassia. In the Sadoy village in Southeastern Chechnya, there is a place called "Khovri aul" (Chechen: Ховри аул), which is said to have been the personal estate of Khour. Mongol invasions of Durdzuketi and Alania Campaign in Circassia Before the start of the Main Mongol campaign of Durdzuketi and Alania, his father, Khasi I, requested the pro-Mongol administrators of Zichia to be under Alan rule, which was denied, after which Khasi sent Khour on another campaign in Circassia, in order to fight the Mongols. However, with the approach of Mongol troops on the capital of Alania and Durdzuketi, Maghas, Khasi recalled the army led by Khour in order to defend the city. Siege of Maghas By the start of the Siege of Maghas in November 1239, Khour I had not yet arrived from his campaign in Zichia. Not long however he arrived, and fought himself through enemy lines, driving a part of the Miongol army away, after which he entered and fortified himself in the city. Although the defence of Maghas was fierce and many attempts by the Mongols to storm the fortress failed, after a major assault on the city in January 1240, led by Batu Khan, Kadan, Güyük, Möngke Khan as well as pro-Mongol Durdzuks such as Matarsha, the city was successfully stormed and eventually captured. This marked the capitulation of Khasi I and the end of the Durdzuk and Alan resistance. Before the attack, Khour's wife and Botur's niece, Esirat, managed to flee the city through a secret passage into Cheberla, Southeastern Chechnya, where she gave birth to Khour's only son–Chakh, sometimes also referred to as Chakhig. Reign and the Insurgency in Durdzuketi Prelude Right after the capitulation of Khasi I, his choice was rejected by Khour, who believed that the thought of submission was