Buraq Hajib

Buraq Hajib, also spelt Baraq Hajib (died 1234), was a Khitan who founded the Qutlugh-Khanid dynasty in the southern Persian province of Kirman the early 13th century after the conquest of the sinicised Qara Khitai (Western Liao dynasty) by the Mongol Empire. The dynasty founded by Buraq Hajib ended in the 14th century.

Origin The Khitans in northern China were known as خطا in Arabic (Khata) and are mentioned by Muslim chroniclers as having fought against Muslims and founded the Qara Khitai (Western Liao dynasty). After the destruction of the Qara Khitai realm by the Mongols under Genghis Khan in 1218, the former land of the Qara Khitai became absorbed into the Mongol Empire. A small part of the population under Buraq Hajib settled in the Persian province of Kirman, converted to Islam, and established a local dynasty there.

Early years

Buraq Hajib is thought to be a member of Qara Khitai dynasty and a son of a Khitan noble Kulduz. Buraq Hajib and his brother Hamīd Pur (or Khan Temür) Sometime later Buraq converted to Islam and requested the Abbasid Caliph for investiture and was granted a title of Qutlugh Sultan. His next action was to ally to Atabegs of Yazd through marriage. Buraq later submitted to the Mongol Empire, and he and his successors were conferred the title of Qutlugh Khan, and allowed to ruled as vassal of the Mongols. Throughout its rule the dynasty continued to be known as Qara Khitai. There were a total of 9 rulers of the Kirmanid dynasty, two of whom were female. although according to Fatema Mernissi she was his daughter Khan Turkan (see below). He had at least 4 daughters:

A daughter - married to Jalal ad-Din Sevinch Khatun - married to Chagatai Khan Turkan - married to his nephew Qutb al-Din Mohammad. According to Vladimir Minorsky, her identity was mistaken for Kutlugh Turkan. Yaqut Turkan - married to Mahmud Shah (r. 1229-1241), Atabeg of Yazd Maryam Turkan - married to Mohyi al-Din, nephew of Sam ibn Wardanruz, Atabeg of Yazd