23 Facts About Gaykhatu

Gaykhatu was living in Jazira during Tekuder's reign and had to flee to Arghun in Khorasan after the execution, in 1284, of Mongol prince and viceroy of Anatolia Qonqurtai.

Gaykhatu was stationed in Erzincan and learnt to speak Persian and to some degree Turkish during his stay in Anatolia.

Gaykhatu ruled Anatolia solely after recall of Hulachu to Iran in 1286.

Gaykhatu aided Masud II on his campaigns against Turkmen principalities, most importantly Germiyanids.

Gaykhatu was sent in turn by Arghun to help Leo II against Guneri of Karaman in 1286, who had captured Tarsus from the Cilician Kingdom.

Gaykhatu's viceroyalty was briefly interrupted by appointment of Samagar from 1289 to 1290.

Gaykhatu heard of Arghun's death in his wintering pastures near Antalya from Lagzi Kuregen.

Baydu was nominated for the throne by an influential Mongol commander, Ta'achar, who had sent an envoy to Gaykhatu falsely announcing that Baydu had already taken the throne.

Meanwhile, a rebellion by Turkmen emirs started in Anatolia, Gaykhatu had to move into his former domains, appointing Shiktur Noyan as regent of the state while confirming Anbarchi as viceroy of East stationed in Ray.

Gaykhatu's retribution was brutal, sending a commander of his personal keshig Tuladai to pillage Lorestan who obtained Afrasiab's submission.

Gaykhatu divided his army into two, sending a part to Menteshe, while he himself raided the Karamanid capital Eregli.

Gaykhatu continued on to capture Denizli and looted the city for 3 days.

Gaykhatu sent an additional 3000 men with commanders Goktai, Girai and Anit.

In 1292, Gaykhatu sent a message to the Egyptian Mamluk Sultan Al-Ashraf Khalil, threatening to conquer the whole of the Levant if he didn't return Aleppo.

In 1294, Gaykhatu wanted to replenish his treasury emptied by a great cattle plague.

Gaykhatu agreed and called for Bolad, the ambassador of Kublai of Yuan China in Tabriz.

Gaykhatu ordered anyone who is going to refuse to use money to be executed on the spot.

Gaykhatu had no choice but to withdraw the use of paper money.

Gaykhatu insulted Baydu telling one of his servants to hit Baydu while being drunk.

Gaykhatu was supported by Oirat emir Chichak, Lagzi Kuregen, El-Temur and Todachu Yarquchi, who followed him to Baghdad.

When son-in-law Ghurbatai Guregen brought him news of treachery, Gaykhatu ordered arrest of several amirs including his personal keshig Tuladai, Qoncuqbal, Tukal, Bughdai, including Kipchak and put into jail in Tabriz.

Gaykhatu was a noted dissolute who was addicted to wine, women, and sodomy, not necessarily in that order, according to Mirkhond.

Gaykhatu was described a just and charitable ruler in Tarikh-i Al-i Saldjuq.