Chagatai Khan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids ᠴᠠᠭᠠᠲᠠᠶ ᠬᠠᠭᠠᠨ Chagatai Khan
Khan
Statue of Chagatai Khan in Mongolia
Khan of the Chagatai Khanate
Reign	18 August 1227 – 1 July 1242
Successor	Qara Hülëgü
Viziers	Qarachar Habash Amid Vajir Baha al-Din Marghinani
Born	22 December 1183 Khamag Mongol
Died	1 July 1242 (aged 58) Almaligh Chagatai Khanate
Consort	Yesulun Khatun Togan Khatun Sevinch Khatun
Issue	Mutukan Baidar Yesü Möngke
House	Borjigin
Father	Genghis Khan
Mother	Börte
Religion	Tengrism

Chagatai Khan (born December 22, 1183 – died July 1, 1242) was a very important figure in the Mongol Empire. He was the second son of the famous leader Genghis Khan and his wife Börte. After his father passed away, Chagatai inherited a large part of what is now Central Asia.

Genghis Khan also gave Chagatai a special job. He was put in charge of making sure everyone followed the Yassa. This was a strict set of laws created by Genghis Khan himself.

Early Life and Campaigns

We don't know much about Chagatai's very early life. He was known for having a strong temper. He sometimes disagreed with his older brother, Jochi. In 1206, his father gave him some military units and land near the Altai Mountains.

Chagatai joined his father and brothers in many important military campaigns. In 1211, he helped invade the Jin Empire in China. They captured several cities and took control of areas like Shaanxi and Henan.

Later, he fought in the campaign against the Khwarazmian Empire. He helped capture important cities like Otrar in 1218 and Samarkand in 1220. The fight for Urgench was tough. Chagatai and Jochi had trouble working together. Because of this, their brother Ögedei took over as commander. Chagatai then helped by building bridges and fixing roads for the Mongol army.

Chagatai was very sad when his son, Mutukan, was killed during the siege of Bamiyan in 1221. He was also present at the battle where Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu was defeated near the Indus River. Later, he led the rear guard during the conquest of Western Xia.

Ruling His Own Land

After Genghis Khan died in 1227, Chagatai became the ruler of his own territory. This land became known as the Chagatai Khanate. Its capital city was Almaliq. This city was in the eastern part of his lands.

Chagatai chose this capital because his Mongol followers loved living on the open steppes. As the oldest surviving son, he supported his brother Ögedei when he became the new Great Khan in 1229. Chagatai was a strong supporter of Ögedei's rule. He also supported Töregene when she became regent after Ögedei's death. Chagatai Khan himself passed away in 1242.

How He Ruled

Chagatai had advisors, called viziers, who helped him govern. These advisors came from different backgrounds. One of his viziers, Vajir, was known for writing a book about the history of the Mongol Empire. Another advisor, Habash Amid, was a Muslim secretary.

Family Life

The funeral of Chagatai Khan.

Chagatai Khan had several wives and many children. His two main wives were Yesülün Khatun and Tögen Khatun.

Some of his notable children and grandchildren include:

• Mutukan – His son who was killed during the siege of Bamiyan.
  • Qara Hülegü – Mutukan's son, who later became a khan himself.
• Yesü Möngke – Another son who also became a khan.
• Baidar – A son who was a commander in the Mongol invasion of Europe.
  • Alghu – Baidar's son, who also became a khan.
• Mochi Yebe – His eldest son, who controlled land near the Dnieper River.
• Sarban – Another son.
  • Negübei – Sarban's son, who became a khan.

His Legacy

Many people, including historians from his time, described Chagatai as a fair and capable ruler. However, some Muslims viewed him negatively. This was because Chagatai strictly enforced the Mongol Yassa law. This law sometimes conflicted with Islamic Shariah law, especially regarding certain practices like animal slaughter and prayer rituals.

The Chagatai language is named after him. Also, some people have the surname Chughtai. There are even places named after him, like the city of Joghatai in Iran and a village in Azerbaijan.

See also

In Spanish: Chagatai para niños