What is khaganate?

Khaganate refers to any political entity ruled by a khan or khagan, who is a leader or ruler in Central Asia of Mongol, Turkic, and some other ethno-linguistic groups. The term is commonly used to refer specifically to the Mongol Empire and its various subdivisions and successor states, which were ruled by a succession of khans from the 13th to the 14th century. The Mongol khaganate was the largest contiguous empire in history, stretching over much of Eurasia from Europe to Asia, and was characterized by its decentralized power structure, which allowed for a high degree of autonomy for regional and tribal leaders. Other notable khaganates include the Avar Khaganate, the Turkish Khaganate, and the Khazar Khaganate, among others. These political entities were known for their military might and conquests, as well as for their religious and cultural practices.