Arghun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arghun |
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Arghun enthroned with his khatun (possibly Quthluq Khatun) in a painting c.1430. Bibliothèque nationale de France (Supplément persan 1113).
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| Il-Khan | |
| Reign | 11 August 1284 – 12 March 1291 |
| Confirmation by Kublai | 23 February 1286 |
| Predecessor | Tekuder |
| Successor | Gaykhatu |
| Born | 8 March 1258 Baylaqan |
| Died | March 10, 1291 (aged 33) Bāḡča, Arran |
| Burial | 12 March 1291 near Sojas |
| Spouse | Quthluq Khatun Uruk Khatun Todai Khatun Saljuk Khatun Bulughan Khatun Qutai Khatun Bulughan Khatun Qultak Agachi Argana Aghachi Oljatai Khatun |
| Issue | Ghazan Öljaitü |
| Dynasty | Borjigin |
| Father | Abaqa |
| Mother | Qaitmish Egec̆i |
| Religion | Buddhism |
Arghun Khan (born around 1258 – died March 10, 1291) was an important ruler of the Ilkhanate. The Ilkhanate was a part of the huge Mongol Empire. Arghun ruled from 1284 to 1291. He was the son of Abaqa Khan. Like his father, Arghun was a devoted Buddhist. He was also friendly towards Christians.
Arghun is well-known for trying to make friends with European countries. He sent several groups of messengers to Europe. He hoped to form an alliance, or partnership, with them. This partnership would have been against the Muslim Mamluks who ruled in the Holy Land. However, his efforts were not successful. Arghun also asked his great-uncle, Kublai Khan, for a new wife. The famous traveler Marco Polo is said to have helped escort the young woman, Kököchin, across Asia. Sadly, Arghun died before she arrived. So, Kököchin married Arghun's son, Ghazan, instead.
Contents
Early Life and Rise to Power
Arghun was born on March 8, 1258, near a place called Baylaqan. His father was Abaqa Khan, and his mother was Qaitmish Egec̆i. Arghun grew up in Khorasan. He was trained by military leaders. By the age of 20, he was already leading an army.
After his father Abaqa died in 1282, Arghun's uncle, Ahmad Tekuder, became the new ruler. Arghun was not happy with this. He believed some people close to Tekuder were responsible for his father's death. This caused tension between Arghun and Tekuder.
The Struggle for the Throne
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Arghun began to gather support from nobles and leaders in Khorasan. He started a rebellion against Tekuder. Tekuder sent his armies to fight Arghun. In a battle near Qazvin, Arghun won against one of Tekuder's commanders. However, Arghun still had to retreat.
Arghun tried to make peace with Tekuder. He even sent his son Ghazan to negotiate. A truce was agreed upon, and Arghun sent his brother Gaykhatu as a hostage. But Tekuder continued to advance his army. This made one of Tekuder's main commanders, Buqa, unhappy. Buqa decided to help Arghun.
Arghun was captured by Tekuder's forces. But Buqa rescued him. Tekuder then fled, but he was caught by Buqa's soldiers. Tekuder was handed over to Arghun. Arghun then became the new ruler.
Arghun's Rule
Arghun officially became the Ilkhan on August 11, 1284. After he took power, he appointed new leaders. His cousin Baydu became a viceroy in Baghdad. His brother Gaykhatu was assigned to Anatolia. Arghun's son Ghazan was given control of Khorasan.
Buqa, who helped Arghun gain the throne, was given very important roles. He became the head of both military and civil administration. Arghun's position as Ilkhan was officially approved by Kublai Khan in China in 1286. Arghun then had a second, more formal, coronation ceremony.
Challenges to His Power
Arghun believed the government was his to control. He did not like how powerful Buqa and his brother Aruq had become. They were acting as if they owned Baghdad and were not paying taxes. Other leaders also started to plot against Buqa.
Arghun began to investigate Buqa's finances. He found that a lot of money was missing. Buqa then tried to plan against Arghun. But Arghun found out about the plot. Buqa was arrested and executed in January 1289. After Buqa, a Jewish physician named Sa’ad al-Daula became Arghun's chief minister. Sa'ad helped bring order back to the government.
Arghun also dealt with other princes who he thought might challenge him. He had some of his relatives arrested and removed from power.
Later Years
After his second son died in 1290, Arghun became less involved in daily government affairs. He founded a new city called Arghuniyya near Tabriz. He also built a Buddhist temple there. Another city, Sharuyaz, was started by him and finished by his son Öljaitü.
Foreign Relations
Arghun's reign saw conflicts with the Golden Horde, another part of the Mongol Empire. He successfully defended his lands from their attacks.
Relations with Mamluks
During Arghun's time, the Egyptian Mamluks were growing stronger in Syria. They took back territories from the Crusaders. These included places like Tripoli.
Relations with Christian Powers
Arghun was one of many Mongol rulers who tried to form an alliance with European Christians. This was known as the Franco-Mongol alliance. Their goal was to fight against their common enemies, the Mamluks. Arghun even promised to be baptized if Jerusalem was captured. However, by the late 1200s, Europeans were not as interested in Crusades. So, Arghun's efforts did not lead to a strong alliance.
Missions to Europe
- First Mission (1285): Arghun sent a letter to Pope Honorius IV. He suggested a combined attack on Muslim lands in Syria and Egypt.
- Second Mission (1287): Arghun sent a monk named Rabban Bar Sauma to Europe. Bar Sauma traveled to Rome, Paris, and London. He met with Pope Nicholas IV, King Edward I of England, and King Philip IV the Fair of France. They sent positive but general replies.
- Third Mission (1289): Arghun sent another messenger, Buscarel of Gisolfe. This time, Arghun wanted to set a date for a combined attack. He promised to bring his troops if the Crusaders landed at Saint-Jean-d'Acre. He even offered Jerusalem as a prize.
- Fourth Mission (1290): Arghun sent one more mission to Europe. He also started building warships in Baghdad with help from the Genoese. These ships were meant to attack Mamluk trade in the Red Sea.
In 1291, Pope Nicholas IV called for a new Crusade. He tried to get support from Arghun and other Christian leaders. But it was too late. On May 18, 1291, the Mamluks captured Saint-Jean-d'Acre. This was a major defeat for the Crusaders.
Arghun died on March 10, 1291. Pope Nicholas IV died a year later. This ended their attempts to work together.
Death
Towards the end of his rule, Arghun became very interested in alchemy. He also spent time with Buddhist lamas and a yogi. He took a special substance, hoping it would make him live longer. But after eight months, he became very ill.
Arghun's health worsened, and he became paralyzed. He died on March 10, 1291, in Arran. He was buried in a secret location in the mountains near Sojas.
Legacy
In Europe, during the 13th century, many children were named after Mongol rulers. This included Arghun. He was seen as a friend to Christians, even though he was a Buddhist. Like most Mongol rulers, Arghun was tolerant of different religions. He even allowed Muslims to be judged under Islamic Law.
The Arghun dynasty later claimed to be descended from him.
Family
Arghun had many wives and concubines. From them, two sons and two daughters lived to adulthood:
- Sons:
- Ghazan (born 1271 – died 1304)
- Öljaitü (born 1282 – died 1316)
- Daughters:
- Öljatai Khatun
- Öljai Timur
Images for kids
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Abaqa on a horse. His son Arghun stands beside him under a royal umbrella, with his own son, Mahmud Ghazan, in his arms.
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In Spanish: Arghun para niños
- Timeline of Buddhism (see 1285 CE)
