Timurtash

Who was Timurtash?

Timurtash was a member of the Chupanid family who dominated pominated Persian politics in the final years of the Ilkhanate. He was the second son of Chupan.

In 1319, he was made viceroy of Rüm following the end of a rebellion against his father. In 1322, he staged a revolt and made overtures to the Mamluks of Egypt to form an alliance against the Ilkhanate. Chupan, however, travelled to Rüm with the Ilkhan Abu Sa'id's permission and convinced his son to surrender. He then secured a pardon for Timurtash and even had him reinstated as viceroy of Rüm. He was responsible for extending the borders of Rüm all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.

Upon learning of his father's flight and execution in 1327, Timurtash made his way to the court of the Mamluks. He was received warmly by Sultan Al-Nasr Muhammad at first but quickly wore out his welcome. At the behest of Abu Sa'id, Al-Nasr had him executed in July or August 1328.

Timurtash had four sons: Hasan Kucek, Malek Asraf, Malek Astar, and Mesr Malek. Hasan Kucek late created an independent state in northwestern Persia using the memory of Timurtash as a rallying cry. He was succeeded by Malek Asraf.