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'Mahmud Ghazan' or Qazaan the Khan of the Tartars(original Mongol name: 'Ghazan Khan', b. November 5, 1271 – d. May 11, 1304), was the seventh ruler of the Mongol empire's 'Ilkhanate' division in Iran from 1295 to 1304.

Contents

Introduction

Conversion to Islam

Interactions

Invasion of Syria

His rule

Death and Succession

See also

Introduction

Ghazan was the son of Arghun Khan and a Christian mother. During his youth, together with his brother Oljeitu, he followed Buddhism, which was the dominant religion in the Mongol empire during its early times.

Conversion to Islam

In 1292, however, under the advice of the Rashid al-Din, Ghazan converted to Sunni Islam. Along with his conversion, Ghazan changed his first name to the Arab name ''Mahmud''.

Interactions

His interaction with Sheikh ul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah is especially noteworthy. Ibn Taymiyyah went with a delegation of ulamaa, to talk to Mahmud Ghazan, to stop his attack on the Muslims. Not one of the them dared to say anything to him except Ibn Taymiyyah who said: "You claim that you are Muslim and you have with you Muezzins, Muftis, Imams and Shaykh but you invaded us and reached our country (modern day Syria) for what? While your father and you grandfather, Hulagu were non-believers, they did not attack and they kept their promise. But you promised and broke your promise." ^[1]

Invasion of Syria

Even though Ghazan was a Muslim he attempted to conquer Muslim lands of Syria. His army was defeated at the Battle of Shaqhab in 1303.

His rule

Prior to his time, under the harsh reign of the succeeding emperors after Hulegu, the Muslim majority were oppressed under the Buddhist emperors, who encouraged the flourishing of Tibetan Buddhism and Nestorianism. However, with the conversion of Ghazan, Islam rose once again.
After annexating power from Baydu in 1295, Ghazan mercilessly destroyed Buddhist temples and chased Buddhists out of his dominion or converted them to Islam. The Christians were also severely affected. Yet despite his conversion, due to his cultural roots, Ghazan encouraged the original archaic Mongol culture to flourish. He tolerated the Shiites as well.

Death and Succession

Ghazan died in 1304 and was succeeded by his brother Oljeitu, who continued the adoption of Islam, and later by his nephew Abu Sa'id and niece Sati Beg. His principal wife during his lifetime was Kökechin.

See also

★ Timeline of Buddhism (see 1295 AD)