"And there was a fierce and great battle... and a terrifying roar; since the creation of the world, there had never been such a battle among the great Russian princes..." – this is how the chronicle describes the Battle of Kulikovo, which took place on September 21, 1380, in what is now the Tula region. Grand Prince of Moscow, Dmitry Ivanovich, leading a united army of Russian principalities, defeated the forces of Mongol commander Mamai. By that time, Moscow had become the recognized center of resistance against the Mongols, while Mamai had usurped power in the Golden Horde, which was experiencing a period of turmoil. The open conflict between Mamai and Dmitry Ivanovich began in 1374, with the Battle of Kulikovo marking its culmination. "And many Russians were slain by the Tatars, and many Tatars by the Russians. And bodies fell upon bodies, Tatar bodies upon Christian ones; here and there one could see a Russian chasing a Tatar, and a Tatar pursuing a Russian." The outcome of the battle was decided by a hidden Russian regiment, which struck the attacking Mongol cavalry from behind. Defeated, Mamai fled, but was soon killed by his main political rival – Khan Tokhtamysh. Tokhtamysh ended the unrest and even burned Moscow, temporarily bringing it back into submission. However, the process initiated by the victory at Kulikovo Field could no longer be stopped. The Russians no longer looked upon the Mongols with fear and reverence. The princes frequently sabotaged the payment of tribute, without concern for the khans' reactions. The latter could do little about it. The Grand Duchy of Moscow grew stronger, while the Golden Horde weakened. By the early 14th century, it collapsed under the blows of the Central Asian conqueror Tamerlane. The Russians finally freed themselves from Mongol rule only in 1480 – a century after the Battle of Kulikovo.