Shams al-Din Juvayni: A skillful political and military leader

 

Shams al-Din Juvayni, a Persian scholar and statesman famously known as Jovayni, was a descendant of the Juvayni family. He had a significant role in the politics of the early Ilkhanate, acting as Sahib-i Divan (vizier and minister of finance) during four Mongol Ilkhans, including Arghun Khan, Hulagu Khan, Abaqa, and Tekuder. When Arghun accused Shams al-Din of poisoning the Ilkhan Abaqa in 1284—who may have actually died unexpectedly from the effects of alcoholism—Shams al-Din was subsequently put to death and Buqa replaced as vizier. Shams al-Din is necessary to portray himself as a capable political and militarily administrator who also supports the arts. Safi al-Din al-Urmawi, a musician, was one of the various he supported. His wife Khoshak was the daughter of Georgia's Lord High Constable and queen, Gvantsa.

Al-Fadl ibn al-Rabi, who had served on important positions under the Seljuk and basqaq of Khorasan and Mazandaran, and Chin Temur. In 1235, he became Saheb-i Divan and retained the position until his death in 1253/4. Shams al-Din was also Ata-Malik Juvayni's younger brother, who composed the Tarikh-i Jahangushay, or "History of the World Conqueror." His followers are typically identified as Shafi'ites, just like its founding father, al-Juvayni.

In 1263, Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, Hulagu's advisor, married the daughter of the Mongol governor of Khorasan, Chagatai Khanate. In 1277, he led Abaqa's expedition into Anatolia, where he spared Muslim villages and cities. He fought Caucasian tribes in Iran.

Shams al-Din was also connected with Ilkhanid vassal nations including the Kartids of Herat, Qutlugh-Khanids of Kerman, Salghurids of Fars, and Hazaraspids of Luristan. He maintained Ilkhanid officials separate and was responsible for Yazd's resurgence. His eldest son Baha al-Din Muhammad was named governor of Persian Iraq, and Sharaf al-Din Harun Juvayni was appointed governor of Anatolia. Ata-Malik Juvayni, the elder brother of Shams al-Din was already nominated the governor of Iraq in 1259.

During his tenure as sahib-i divan, Shams al-Din earned a huge income through properties and Majd al-Mulk investments. Yazdi alleged Shams al-Din and Ata-Malik Juvayni of covertly cooperating with the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt. Three years later, Majd al-Mulk was much more successful, accusing the brothers of cooperating with the Mamluks and stealing from the treasury. Shams al-Din escaped punishment with the help of Hulagu's widow, but his brother Ata-Malik was imprisoned, released in 1281 due to Mongol princesses and princes and then returned to jail a few weeks later due to fresh charges. Abaqa appointed Majd al-Mulk as his associate vizier after Shams al- Din charges and reducing his powers. Abaqa's death in 1282 triggered a succession battle between Tekuder and Arghun.

 

References:

• Jackson, Peter (2017). The Mongols and the Islamic World: From Conquest to Conversion. Yale University Press. pp. 1–448. ISBN 9780300227284. JSTOR 10.3366/j.ctt1n2tvq0. (Registration required)
• Lane, George (2003). "Early Mongol rule in Thirteenth-century Iran". Routledge: 1–330.
• Biran, Michal (2009). "JOVAYNI, ṢĀḤEB DIVĀN". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. XV, Fasc. 1. pp. 71–74.
• Rajabzadeh, Hashem (2009). "JOVAYNI FAMILY". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. XV, Fasc. 1. pp. 61–63.
• Ashraf, Ahmad (2006). "Iranian identity iii. Medieval Islamic period". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. XIII, Fasc https://en.w3we.com/wiki/Shams_al-Din_Juvayni. 5. pp. 507–522.

 

Support and Rate our Work: @TheInsideHistory