Kurdujin Khatun

She was born to Abish Khatun and Möngke Temür - son of Hulegu. She was married to Suyurgatmish of Kerman, a Khitan ruler. This marriage helped him to gain many allies, including Suqunjaq Noyan - governor of Iraq and Khuzestan and Qutui Khatun - mother of Tekuder. He was confirmed as the new ruler of Kirman by Tekuder in 1282. Kurdujin further extended her influence when she inherited her mother's estates in 1286. However, after Gaykhatu's coronation, political climate suddenly changed and Padishah Khatun imprisoned Suyurgatmish. It was Kurdujin who helped her husband to escape. However, this proved futile, when he was captured and executed on 21 August 1294.

She was able to get her revenge when Baydu, son-in-law of Suyurgatmish ascended to throne. Padishah Khatun was demanded to show up at coronation ceremony. After gathering allies, Kurdujin invaded Kerman and put a siege to city for sometime. While some of Padishah Khatun's emirs changed loyalties to Kurdujin including Emir Timur, Emir Shadi, Emir Mubarek and her own nephew Nasrat al-Din Yulukshah. Padishah Khatun finally surrendered the city and sent the keys to Kurdujin. Padishah was imprisoned and later was accused of treason. She was able to obtain order to execute Padishah Khatun from Baydu, thanks to her step-daughter Shah Alam. Padishah was executed on the spot near Kushk-e Zar in June/July 1295.[1]

After her victorious entrance, she ruled Kerman for a while.[2]However she was soon replaced by Muzaffar al-Din Mohammad, Muzaffar al-Din Hajjaj's son in 1295, on order of Ghazan, the new Ilkhan.[3]She lived a quite life in Shiraz for a while. She also gave a refuge to her stepson Qutb al-Din Shah Jahan in 1306 when he was depraved of ruling Kirman by Öljeitü. Later she ruled Shiraz in her own right on the order from Abu Said in 1319. She died in 1338 and was succeeded by her niece Sultan Khatun in Shiraz.[4]

She had many marriages throughout her life:

1. Suyurgatmish (ended in 1294) - Ruler of Kerman
2. Amir Taj al-Din Satilmish, formerly a supporter of Kutlugh Turkan.
3. Toghai, a basqaq who was Satilmish's nephew that arrived at Fars in 1320.
4. Amir Chupan (ended in 1327) with whom she had 3 sons:
   • Siukshah
   • Yagi Basti
   • Nowruz

Abu Said promised to marry her to Ghiyath-uddin ibn Rukn-uddin, Kartid ruler of Herat, but Baghdad Khatun prevented this move.[5]

She was mentioned in works of historian Wassaf who praised her for being charitable.[4] She also founded "Madrasa-i Shahi" (Royal College) in Shiraz.[6]