Karakoyunlu State (1410-1468) Notes

Karakoyunlu State (1410-1468)

• The Karakoyunlu state played a key role in Azerbaijan's history.
• The main tribe of the state was the Baharlı, one of the Oghuz tribes.
• The state's name originates from the totem of the "black ram."
• The tribe is believed to have settled in Azerbaijan from the 6th century.
• Their initial settlement was around Van. After Mongol attacks, they settled in neighboring areas, including Iraq and Syria.
• Bayram Khoja founded the beylik, with Van as its capital.
• Kara Muhammad, Bayram Khoja's son, centralized rule in Eastern Anatolia by expanding territories.
• In 1387, Timur attacked the beylik, but Kara Muhammad defeated him.
• Kara Muhammad's son, Kara Yusif, came to power after his father's death. The Timurids captured Van.
• Kara Yusif and Jalairid ruler Sultan Ahmed formed a close alliance and united against the enemy.
• Timur took them captive in Egypt.
• Upon Timur's death, they were released.
• The Timurids captured Baghdad in 1406 and advanced to Tabriz.
• In 1406, Kara Yusuf defeated the Timurids at the battle of Shanbi-Kazan.
• In 1408, Kara Yusuf achieved a decisive victory over the Timurids at the battle of Sardrud.
• Southern Azerbaijan came under the complete control of the Karakoyunlu.
• Kara Yusif's relations with Jalairid Sultan Ahmed deteriorated, leading to war.
• Kara Yusif defeated the Jalairids at the battle of Shanbi-Kazan II in 1410, completing the foundation of the Karakoyunlu state.
• Kara Yusif made efforts to unite all Azerbaijan territories.
• He demanded that Shirvanshah Ibrahim accept dependence on him, but Ibrahim refused.
• Fighting ensued, and Ibrahim and his supporters lost the battle on the bank of the River Kur in 1412. The losers were taken captive.
• Kara Yusif demanded kharaj (tribute) for their release, and the Shirvanshah became independent.
• After Ibrahim, his son Halilullah succeeded him and confronted the Karakoyunlu again. Halilullah allied with the Timurids.
• Kara Yusif died in 1421, changing the situation. His son Iskandar fought against the Timurids and the Shirvanshah state.
• The Timurids, after defeating Iskandar's army, left Azerbaijan in 1421.
• The Timurids were content with taking kharaj only from captured areas.
• Iskandar was replaced by Jahan Shah (1436-1467) with the Timurids' support.
• Jahan Shah reformed the military system and restored relations with the Shirvanshah state.
• He capitalized on disputes within the Timurids' government and invaded Western and Eastern Iran.
• While Jahan Shah was in Herat, his sons deposed him.
• Jahan Shah signed a peace treaty with the Timurids and returned to Azerbaijan.
• Jahan Shah was the last ruler of the Karakoyunlu.
• The Agqoyunlu tribes attacked the state and destroyed it at the battle of Mush in 1468.