Why did the Turkish language and Islam become dominant in the Golden Horde?

The dominance of the Turkish language and Islam within the Golden Horde was primarily driven by the demographic composition of the region and the religious vacuum encountered by the Mongol rulers.12

• Demographic Shift: Although the Mongols formed the aristocracy, they were significantly outnumbered by the Turkic peoples (such as the Kumans and Kipchaks) who inhabited the steppe regions of southern Russia. Over time, this strong Turkic element led to the gradual disappearance of distinctively Mongol features, resulting in the Mongol language being replaced by Turkic languages.132
• Adoption of Islam: The region lacked powerful religious rivals like Buddhism or Nestorianism, which were prominent in other Mongol empires. This religious vacuum facilitated the adoption of Islam, which eventually supplanted native shamanism. The conversion of rulers like Berke and the flourishing of Islamic culture under Öz Beg further solidified the religion's status, ultimately fostering the amalgamation of Turks and Mongols into a new population known as the Tatars.143