Overview
Qazan Khan was the last Chagatai khan with real power in Transoxiana. The son of Yasa'ur, a Chagatayid prince who had revolted in the 1310s, he ruled from about 1343 until he was killed in battle in 1346. His death left the khans as figureheads and the amirs as the true rulers of the western Chagatai lands.
Rise to Power
Qazan took the throne around 1343, after a decade in which khans had followed one another in quick succession. He set out to restore the authority of the khan over the tribal nobility.
Rule and Achievements
His attempt to strengthen the throne turned the nobles against him. They rallied behind Qazaghan, the amir of the Qara'unas.
- In 1345 Qazan defeated Qazaghan north of the Iron Gates, but he did not pursue him
- He spent the winter at his palace at Qarshi, which gave Qazaghan time to rebuild his forces
- In 1346 Qazaghan defeated Qazan's army, and Qazan was killed in the battle
Legacy
Qazan's death ended the effective power of the Chagatai khans in Transoxiana, apart from a brief revival in 1360–1363. His successor, Danishmendji, was Qazaghan's puppet, and from then on the amirs ruled in the khans' name, a system Timur would later use. The decisive error was strategic: he won the battle and let the war continue.