Some Early Muslim Mongol Rulers

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

Dr. Habib Swiddiqi, in “A Brief History of Islam in Central Asia”, wrote, “Islam influenced Central Asia during the middle of the eighth century through Persia.  This period coincided with the Abbasid regime that came to power overthrowing the Umayyads.  The Samanids, a Muslim dynasty of Persian origin, ruled the Central Asia as early as 874 CE.  During the Mongol invasion of Central Asia, from 1218 to 1260 CE, all these territories came under Mongol rule.  After the death of Genghis Khan, his territories were divided into 5 Khanates: the Khanate of Mongolia in the east, the Middle Kingdom, the Golden Horde in the west, the Khanate of Siberia in the north, and the Khanate of Il Khans in the south.  Subsequently, however, Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan, who was then the Mongol ruler in China, nominated Mubarak Shah as the Khan of the Chagtais, whose territories, the so-called ‘Middle Kingdom,’ included Turkistan and Transoxiana comprising the basin of the Ili in the east to the valleys of the Oxus, also known as the Amu Dariya, and Jaxartes in the west. 

In the western part of their territory, Muslims were a majority.  Mubarak was a Muslim, and that stood in his way of becoming popular with the Mongols.  He was soon deposed by Borak Khan in 1266 CE.  Taliku, who became the Chaghtai Khan in 1308 CE became a Muslim on his accession.  However, his religion was resented by the Mongols, and they assassinated him 1309 CE.  In 1322 CE, Tarmashiria became the Khan of the Chaghtai Mongols.  He became a Muslim, which was resented by his officers, and was, therefore, removed from power in 1330 CE.  Shortly thereafter Changshahi came to power.  He was hostile to Islam and favoured Christianity.  During his rule, Muslim subjects revolted, and Changshahi lost his life.  This proved to be a turning point in the history of Transoxiana, and henceforth, all the Chaghtai Khans came to the throne as Muslims.”