Mirza Ulugh Beg on the Chinggisids on the Throne of Iran: The Reigns of Öljaitü Khan and Abu Sa’id Bahadur Khan

Abstract

This article contains annotated translation of extracts from the work of Ulugh Beg (1394–1449) Ulūs-i arba’-yi Chingīzī (Four uluses of the Chingīzīds), written in Persian in 1425. Ulūs-i arba’-yi Chingīzī is dedicated to the topic of the rulers of four states of Chinggis Khan’s Empire: The Ulūs of Ūktāy Qā’ān (Ögedei Khagan), the Ulūs of Jūchi Khan, the Ulūs of Hulāgu Khan, and the Ulūs of Chagatai Khan. This work is an important source on the history of the Chinggisids’ reigns, particularly in Iran. While describing the Ulūs of Hulāgu Khan in his work, Ulugh Beg mentioned the names of sixteen rulers from the Chinggisid dynasty. Original information on the history of the Ulūs of Hulāgu Khan, which is missing in works of the Hulaguids’ historiographers, is provided there. This article provides translation of an extract dedicated to the period of the reigns in Iran of independent rulers from the Chinggisid dynasty: Öljaitü Khan (1304–1316) and Abū Saʿīd Bahādur Khan (1316–1335). According to Ulugh Beg, Öljaitü Khan differed from many Chinggisid sultans. He supported scientists and representatives of Muslim religious leaders, while putting a lot of effort into strengthening the laws of Islam. The part of the chapter dedicated to Abū Sa‘īd Bahādur Khan includes a story about the prince of the Ulūs of Chagatai Khan – shakhzade Yasavur Ūghlān – who was the descendant of Chagatai Khan. It should be especially noted that the chapter dedicated to the Ilkhanids of Iran contains numerous pieces of information about their relationship with other states of the Chinggisids, the ruling elite and nomadic nobility of Inner Asia. This article was prepared within the framework of a grant of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan aimed at funding basic and applied scientific research