THE MONGOL GOVERNMENT IN IRAN
ABSTRACT
In the reign of Mango Qa-aan, Mongol rulers of Iran complained from refractory and rebel of local governors of Iran to Mongol emperor. Consequently, Mongol emperor Mango Qa-aan appointed Hulked to conquer Iran.
For this purpose, the army and equipment were prepared and Hulked entered Iran in 1253, after a week resistance the Almaut forte (the command center of Assassins), was conquered, and Iran was completely under sovereignty of Mongols.
The government established by Hulked in Iran is called Ilkhanid which was administrated independently by Hulked and his successors. From Hulked Khan until Abusaeed Khan totally nine Ilkhanid were in sovereignty one after another. Third Ilkhanid king Tagaudar (Sultan Ahmad) accepted Islam religion. Except Arghoon Khan and Baido Khan all other Ilkhanid kings, accepted Islam and were Moslems.
Ilkhanid sovereignty which was in power by good order and discipline, in his old age it was involved with disorders and anarchy, therefore it was annihilated after death of Abu-Saeed Khan the latest Ilkhanid from Hulked dynasty, and gave its position to feudal governments.
АННОТАЦИЯ
Во времена правления хана Мункэ, монгольские правители Ирана жаловались монгольскому хану на непокорных и мятежных местных правителей. В связи с этим монгольский Великий хан Мункэ приказал Хулагу завоевать Иран.
Были подготовлены армия и снаряжение, и в 1253 году монголы вторглись в Иран. После недельного сопротивления крепость Аламут (командный центр ассасинов) была завоевана, и Иран полностью перешел под власть монголов.
Династия, созданная Хулагу в Иране, называется Ильханиды, которой Хулагу и его преемники управляли независимо. От Хулагу-хана до Абу Саид-хана - девять ильханов были независимыми. Третий ильхан Текудер (Султан Ахмед) принял ислам. За исключением Аргун-хана и Байду-хана, все остальные ильханы приняли ислам и были мусульманами.
Суверенитет Ильханидов, который находился у власти благодаря строгому порядку и дисциплине, позже был вовлечен в беспорядки и анархию, поэтому был уничтожен после смерти Абу-Саид-хана, последнего ильхана из династии Хулагу, и уступил свое положение феодальным правительствам.
Keywords: Hulked, mongols, ilkhans, empire, attack, conquer, culture, army, destroy.
Ключевые слова: Хулагу; монголы; ильханы; империя; нападение; завоевание; культура; армия; уничтожение.
The Ilkhans also spelled Ilkhanate, was one of the four khanates within the Mongol Empire. It was centered in Iran or Persia, including present day Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and western Pakistan. It was based, originally, on Genghis Khan's campaigns in the Khwarezmid Empire in 1219-1224, and the continual expansion of Mongol presence under the commands of Chormagan, Baiju, and Eljigidei. Il-Khan means ‘subordinate Khan’ and the dynasty was in theory under the authority of the Great Khan, although they lost contact with him. They unified much of Iran following several hundred years of political fragmentation. Adopting Islam, they oversaw what has been described as a Renaissance in Iran. They oscillated between Sunni and Shi’a Islam, though after the beginning of the Safavid dynasty Iran would become officially Shi’a. Although the Khanate disintegrated, it brought stability to the region for about a century. Their rule is usually dated from 1256 to 1353.
Genghis Khan the founder of Mongol empire at the time of his death declared his third son (Ogtai) for his succession. After Ogtai his old son (Kiuk Khan) ascended the throne. After him (Mangu Qa-aan) son of (Tolai Khan), grandchild of Genghis Khan became sovereign. During sovereignty of Mangu Qa-aan, Mongol rulers of Iran complained from refractory and rebel of local governors of Iran to Mongol King. Therefore Mangu Qa-aan appointed Hulked to conquer Iran once again.
In 1253 Hulked with and one hundred fifty thousand cavalier army with groups of Chinese engineers and flaming personal who were responsible for besiege operations came to Iran. At the beginning of arrival in Iran he sent his messages by his delegates and informed them that whoever helps him in his aim, the territory of that person will be safe. Hence the mentioned local rulers of Iran from the fear of Mongols, sent to him gifts and announced their obedience and readiness to help him [2].
‘At the time of Hulked attack of Iran, Ismailis were one of the powerful rulers there. In 1256, After (Almaut) fort was defeated, Iran was conquered without any serious resistance, sovereignty of Ismailis was ended and the dynasty of Ilkhanid was established by Hulked in Iran and they took the reins of government there.’ [3].
‘The selection of Hulked among all Genghis princes on behalf of Mongol empire to conquer throughout Iran and to wind up the caliphate system, was showing this reality that this ability was apparent in him and he was able to accomplish that momentous duty. According to Juwainy ‘since Mango Qa-aan by physiognomy had seen the inclination of his brother for sovereignty and since Hulked has leant on perseverance and dignity by perspicacity had understood his susceptibility of conquest.’ [1].
‘Hulked found this momentous duty in a big congress (Qoriltai) composed of all princes, chieftains of society and took the vote of all participants. Since Baghdad (the center of Islamic caliphate) was located in farthest west end of Iran, Hulked had moved from farthest east and, traveling through Iran from east to the west caused that all states and cities which were before conquered, again confirm their obedience.’ [4].
He stopped behind the Oxus (Amudarya) in (Shuforqan) meadow, whereas mentioned before, Ameer Arghoon Mongol ruler of occupied Iran, erected a grand court there, and disposed a kingly session attending all matrons, princes, commanders and all rulers and princes who had reached themselves from all parts of the territory. Hulked ascended the throne in this session.
The Ameer Argoon appointed Ahmad Betakchi and Alauddin Ata malek, according to Rasheeduddin ‘to be in Hulked’s presence and to take care of the country affairs.’ This great session gave formal aspect for Hulked sovereignty on Iran. In this manner Khan of Mongol by anticipation of all sides and employing Iranian experienced correspondents started his battles, and we saw that he became successful in all fronts. Finally, after gaining the great victory, conquer of Baghdad and taking the position of peerless treasures of it and destroying hearts of resistance, Hulked Khan who had returned from Baghdad to Hamadan proceeded on Azerbaijan to establish his government there, so he chose Margha as capital [5].
List of Ilkhaned kings’ names:
- Hulked Khan son of Toloy son of Genghis (1253 – 1265);
- Abaqa Khan son of Hulked (1265 – 1281);
- Tagaudar (Sultan Ahmad) son of Hulked (1281 – 1284);
- ArghoonKhan son of Abaqa (1284 – 1291);
- Kaikhato Khan son of Abaqa (1291 - 1294);
- Baido Khan son of Targhan son of Hulked (1295 – 6months);
- Ghazan son of Arghoon (1295 – 1303);
- Aljaito (khudabanda) son of arghoon (1303 – 1316).
After the death of Abusaeed Hulked dynasty was in fact overthrown. In continuation, princes of other Mongol dynasties reached to Ilkhanid position or pretended this position. Even some princes with spurious lineage pretended the reign.
The following persons were the Ilkhanid favorite plaintiffs in this era.
- Arpaugan (1335 – few months);
- Musi Khan son of Ali son of Paido (1335 – 3 months);
- Mohammad Khan son of Mango Timor son of Hulked (1336 – one month);
- Saty Beag daughter of Aligaito (1338 – 1340);
- Shah Jahan Timor son of Alafering son of Kaikhato (1338 – 1339);
- Solaiman Khan son of Sishmoot son of Hulked (1340 – 1344);
- Tagha Timorkhan (1335 – 1352);
- Anaushirwan (1343 – 1355) [6].
The domination time of Mongols on Iran was one of the worst periods of Iran history. In that time hundred thousand of people in cities, towns and villages were killed and massacred by Mongol invaders. The popular cities of this territory which were said (bride of the Asian cities) were plundered and ruined one after another by this savage tribe. Mongols kept their Genghis rudeness habit until Hulked period. From the reign of Hulked this roaring flood subsided gradually and Mongol conquerors became familiar with the Iranian people who surrendered themselves without any resistance to them.
Conquerors were unacquainted with governmental affairs, were compelled to resort to Iranian clerks and accountants, like Juwaini and Rasheeduddine Fadhlullah so appealed them to help in administration of that wide territory. The existence of these civil officials beside the Mongol governing class was a relief after many difficulties for the oppressed people of Iran [3].
The mentioned distinguished men could make Mongols acquainted with the meek temper and Iranian civilization. Until the Mongols had not accepted Islam, they look at Iranians as strangers and enemies. In the reign of Ghazi Khan that Islam became the official religion of Mongol Ilkhanids, not the kings suppose the people as strangers, nor the Iranians feared of them as past periods. With enactment of new laws by Ghazi Khan, the administrative, economic and social situation of Iran adopted a new manner, the circumstances became firm, and the people became more hopeful than before. This orderliness continued until the death of King Abu Saeed Bahadur Khan, the last powerful Mongol emperor. After Abu Saeed administrative machine of Iran deviated from its route, insurgents and suborns started rebellion revolts according to their own inclinations. Consequently, the central government was displaced by anarchy and feudal systems of Ilkhanid, Muzaffarian and Sarbadaran [5].
As a result of military expedition of Hulked on Iran a new dynasty under the name of Ilkhanid was established by Hulked. They governed on Iran from 1256 to 1335 AD for 79 years. In consequence of Mongol attacks on Iran habitable and populous cities of Iran changed to ruin, and large number of people were massacred.
Hulked dynasty established an independent government. Gradually Hulked successors come under the influence of Iranian culture and religion. They became Muslim and changed their names to Islamic names. Some of these Ilkhanid tried to compensate the ruins of Mongol invasions, so they established academic centers and reconstructed the cities again.
At the last Iranian Ilkhanid government which was in power by order and discipline, in its old age became weak, anarchy was appeared everywhere, and fell from the power and gave its place to feudal system governments.
Consequently, we can say that it is not easy to annihilate the culture of a society even by force and savagely killing and massacre of its population.
References:
- Bayani Sh. Mongols and Ilkhanate rule in Iran. – Tehran: Humanities Research and Development Center, 1379. PP. – 164.
- Rezaei A. The history of ten thousand years of Iran. – Tehran: Iqbal-Maravi, 1381. PP. – 212.
- Hamdullah M., Ibn Abi Bakr Ahmed bin Nasr Qazvini. To the attention of Abdul Hossein Navaei. – Tehran: Amir Kabir, 1339. PP. – 67.
- Joyni A. A. The history of the universe. By the effort and effort of Muhammad bin Abd al-Wahhab Qazvini. – Leiden: Beryl Press, 1995. PP. – 21.
- Hamdani R.F., Jame Al-Tawarikh. By Bahman Karimi. – Tehran: Iqbal Publications, 1338. PP. – 25.
- Lal N.J. A look at world history. – Tehran: Amir Kabir Publishing House, Sepehr Printing House, 1361. PP. – 1947.
