The Khans of the Ilkhanate

Parts of Pakistan were a part of the Ilkhanate from 1256 to 1335. Who were the Khans of the Ilkhanate?

Hülegü (1256–1265 / A.H. 654–663)

Hülegü, the grandson of Genghis Khan, founded the Ilkhanid dynasty after leading a devastating campaign into Iran and Mesopotamia. He is infamous for the brutal sack of Baghdad in 1258, which ended the Abbasid Caliphate.

Abaqa (1265–1282 / A.H. 663–680)

Abaqa, Hülegü’s son, focused on consolidating Mongol power in Persia and maintaining ties with European powers against the Mamluks. His reign marked continued Buddhist influence at Court.

Ahmad Tegüder (1282–1284 / A.H. 680–683)

Tegüder converted to Islam and took the name Ahmad, attempting to align more closely with his Muslim subjects. However, his religious stance alienated Mongol nobles, leading to his overthrow and execution.

Arghun (1284–1291 / A.H. 683–690)

Arghun backtracked on the approach taken by his predecessor, promoting Buddhism and Daoism at court. He sought alliances with Europe to wage war against the Mamluks but achieved limited success.

Gaykhatu (1291–1295 / A.H. 690–694)

Gaykhatu is remembered for introducing paper money modelled after Chinese systems, which caused economic chaos and public unrest. His short reign ended in his assassination by disgruntled nobles.

Baydu (1295 / A.H. 694)

Baydu ruled for only a few months and was seen as a weak figurehead controlled by rival factions. He was quickly defeated and executed by Mahmud Ghazan, who succeeded him.

Mahmud Ghazan (1295–1304 / A.H. 694–703)

Ghazan, like Ahmad, converted to Islam and made it the official religion of the Ilkhanate. He also initiated major administrative and fiscal reforms. His reign marked a cultural renaissance with the patronage of Persianate arts and sciences.

Muhammad Khudabanda Öljeytü (1304–1317 / A.H. 703–716)

Öljeytü, initially a Christian and then a Sunni, eventually embraced Shi'a Islam, building the massive mausoleum at Soltaniyeh. His reign fostered scholarship and architectural innovation.

Abu Sa'id (1317–1335 / A.H. 716–736)

Abu Sa'id’s long reign saw relative peace and flourishing trade, but his lack of a clear heir led to the dynasty’s fragmentation. After his death, the Ilkhanate splintered into competing factions.

Arpa (1335–1336 / A.H. 736–737)

Arpa, elected by military leaders, attempted to revive central authority but faced resistance from rival Mongol factions. He was soon defeated and executed by forces loyal to another claimant.

Musa (1336 / A.H. 737)

Musa was a puppet ruler installed by powerful amirs during the Ilkhanid collapse. His reign lasted only a few months before he was ousted in the ongoing struggle for control.