Kurchakus

Qurchaquz Buyruk Khan was a 12th-century Nestorian leader of Keraites. He was a son of Marqus Buyruk Khan.

Name His name is written in The Secret History of the Mongols as Qurčaqus. According to Volker Rybatzki and Christoph Baumer its original form could be Cyriacus, a Syriac name. According to Lev Gumilev, however, the original form may be Gregorius (Gregory) instead.

Reign He succeeded Kerait ruler Sariq Khan (according to Timothy May, he was his father, while Isenbike Togan says Sariq was just pre-Christian name of Marcus Buyruk Khan ) in 1150. He soon emerged as one of the dominant powers in the steppe following destruction of Liao Dynasty by Jurchens. However, this situation soon challenged by Merkits and Tatars who kidnapped his son Toghrul in 1135. He soon reorganized the khanate between his sons. Center was Karabalgasun, while Toghrul ruled western part of the khanate as a subordinate to his uncle Gurkhan. His other sons Tai Temür Taishi and Yulamacus (as his subordinate) respectively granted Karaa and Boroo river banks, on the east. He soon died in 1165, his son not approving his division, claimed the throne for himself as his eldest son and sole ruler.

Family and descendants He was married to a certain woman called Ilma who bore him Toghrul and Töre Qaimish, a daughter of Naiman ruler Betegin Oba Kötürchi Buyruq Khan. Jakha Gambhu and Buqa Temür. Through his granddaughter Sorghaghtani Beki, he became an ancestor of the Chinggisids Toluids - rulers of the Ilkhanate and the Yuan dynasty.