32 Facts About Arghun

Arghun was the son of Abaqa Khan, and like his father, was a devout Buddhist.

Arghun was known for sending several emissaries to Europe in an unsuccessful attempt to form a Franco-Mongol alliance against the Muslim Mamluks in the Holy Land.

The mission to escort the young Kokochin across Asia to Arghun was reportedly entrusted to Marco Polo.

Arghun died before Kokochin arrived, so Arghun's son Ghazan married her instead.

Arghun grew up in Khorasan under care of Sartaq Noyan who was his military commander of encampment and Jochigan Noyan who was his atabeg.

Arghun commanded an army at the age of 20 against Negudaris.

However Arghun believed Juvayni brothers were responsible for his father's death by poisoning.

Arghun's hatred grew upon hearing rumors that Shams al-Din Juvayni sent someone to poison him.

Arghun sent military contingents commanded by Prince Jushkab, Uruq and Qurumushi to station in Diyar Bakr, so Qonqurtai and Arghun wouldn't be connected.

Arghun started an open rebellion upon his return from Baghdad to Khorasan in 1283 to gain allegiance of minor nobles and amirs.

Arghun tried to make truce on halfway, which Ahmad against advices of his councillors, refused it.

Shams al-Din Juvayni was among the executed people as Arghun tried to avenge his father's supposed murder.

Arghun saw the government as his own property and didn't approve of Buqa and Aruq's arrogance and excesses, which soon raised them many enemies.

Arghun was ordered to pay blood money worth 700.000 dananeer to Sayyed's sons as the result of court.

Arghun investigated Aruq in same fashion and started to control Baghdad's income as well, replacing him with Ordo Qiya.

Arghun was succeeded as vizier by a Jewish physician, Sa'ad al-Daula of Abhar.

Arghun was one of a long line of Genghis-Khanite rulers who had endeavored to establish a Franco-Mongol alliance with the Europeans, against their common foes the Mamluks of Egypt.

Arghun had promised his potential allies that if Jerusalem were to be conquered, he would have himself baptized.

Yet by the late 13th century, Western Europe was no longer as interested in the crusading effort, and Arghun's missions were ultimately fruitless.

In 1285, Arghun sent an embassy and a letter to Pope Honorius IV, a Latin translation of which is preserved in the Vatican.

Arghun's letter mentioned the links that Arghun's family had to Christianity, and proposed a combined military conquest of Muslim lands:.

Apparently left without an answer, Arghun sent another embassy to European rulers in 1287, headed by the Ongut Turk Nestorian monk from China Rabban Bar Sauma, with the objective of contracting a military alliance to fight the Muslims in the Middle East, and take the city of Jerusalem.

In 1289, Arghun sent a third mission to Europe, in the person of Buscarel of Gisolfe, a Genoese who had settled in Persia.

Arghun remitted a letter from Arghun to Philippe le Bel, answering to Philippe's own letter and promises, offering the city of Jerusalem as a potential prize, and attempting to fix the date of the offensive from the winter of 1290 to spring of 1291:.

In 1290, Arghun launched a shipbuilding program in Baghdad, with the intent of having war galleys which would harass the Mamluk commerce in the Red Sea.

Arghun sent a fourth mission to European courts in 1290, led by Andrew Zagan, who was accompanied by Buscarel of Gisolfe and a Christian named Sahadin.

Arghun had developed a great interest in alchemy towards end of his reign.

Arghun gave shelters to Buddhist lamas who would advice him on religious matters.

Arghun befriended a yogi who claimed to have lived longer than anyone and could offer Arghun the same.

The way Rashid al-Din described this alchemist who gave a concoction of sulphur and mercury to Arghun was the same substance that Marco Polo described as Indian yogis' experience.

Arghun was a Buddhist, but as did most Turco-Mongols, he showed great tolerance for all faiths, even allowing Muslims to be judged under Islamic Law.

Arghun had ten consorts, 7 of them being khatun and 3 of them being concubines.