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(Redirected from Abaqa)
'Abaqa Khan' (1234–1282), the son of Hulagu and Oroqina Khatun, a Mongol Christian. As the second Il-Khan emperor in Persia, he reigned from 1265–1282.
During his reign, Abaqa, a devout Buddhist, attempted to convert the Muslims and harassing them mercilessly by promoting Nestorian and Buddhist interests ahead of the Muslims, by sending embassies to Pope Gregory X and Edward I of England. In 1265, upon his succession, he received the hand of Maria Despina Palaiologina, the illegitimate daughter of Emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus, in marriage.
At the time of Hulagu's death from illness in 1265, Abaqa, on his father's behalf, continued to fight the Golden Horde forces of Berke Khan until 1267, the time of Berke's death. However, Baraq Khan of the Chagataid's tried to annex Iran in 1270 thus starting war against Abaqa in the city of Herat. Abaqa successfully defended Iran, leaving his people victorious. In 1281 he promoted a new attack against Syria, which Mamluks defeat near Homs (See 2nd Battle of Homs).
Abaqa was probably assassinated in 1282. During his harsh reign, many Muslims had attempted to assassinate Abaqa. The assassin viewed Maria as part of his rightful inheritance, but she fled back to Constantinople where her father, apparently wishing to spare his capital the fate that befell Baghdad, tried to marry her off again to another Mongol khan. Maria could not accept the offer, became a nun, and founded The Church of Panagia Mouchliotissa around 1285. Abaqa was succeeded by his Muslim brother Tekuder.

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External links

External links

★ Khan genealogy

★ The Islamic World to 1600: The Mongol Invasions (The Il-Khanate)