Baydu, also spelled Baidu (Байду), (died in 1295), was the sixth ruler of the Mongol empire's Ilkhanate division in Iran. He succeeded his cousin Gaykhatu as khan of the Ilkhanate state in 1295.

Gaykhatu had been killed by a group of conspirators led by Taghachar, a commander in the Mongol army, who then placed Baydu in power. Baydu was considered easygoing and controllable, and under him, the Ilkhanate was divided among the co-conspirators.^[1]

Baydu had strong sympathies to Christianity,^[2] but was required to act outwardly as a Muslim.^[3] According to Saunders in Mongol Conquests, Baydu allowed churches on his ordu and wore a cross around his neck.^[4] He was urged by his followers to rid himself of Ghazan, but refused out of affection. However, his followers gradually deserted him, in part because of the intrigues of Emir Nauruz. Baydu attempted to escape and flee from Azerbaijan to Georgia, but was taken prisoner near Nakhichevan.^[5] After only five months in power he was executed on October 5, 1295, during the civil war with his successor Mahmud Ghazan.

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Atwood, Christopher P. (2004). The Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire. Facts on File, Inc. ISBN 0-8160-4671-9.
• Jackson, Peter (2005). The Mongols and the West, 1221-1410. Longman. ISBN 0582368960. 
• Saunders, J.J., The History of the Mongol Conquests
• Grousset, Rene, Empire of the Steppes

Preceded by Gaykhatu

Ilkhanid Dynasty 1295

Succeeded by Mahmud Ghazan

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