Queen consort
Jan Begum was the wife of Jahan Shah, one of the sons of Qara Yusuf and considered the most prominent ruler of the Qara Qoyunlu dynasty. She had an extensive political background, and played an influential role in the political life of her husband, Jahan Shah; their son, Pir Budagh; and even in the affairs of Jahan Shah's other children, including Hasan Ali Mirza. After the death of her husband, Jan Begum continued to intervene in the political affairs of the family and in determining the successor to maintain the rule of the Qara Qoyunlu. Both Jahan Shah and his son Pir Budagh frequently consulted her on political matters, as evidenced by the guidance and counsel Pir Budagh sought from his mother. [4]
When Pir Budagh was assigned by his father to conquer Kerman, Jan Begum, accompanied him on this campaign. Clearly, Jan Begum possessed considerable political and military acumen, which Jahan Shah and Pir Budagh were eager to utilize. This is also evident from the consultations Pir Budagh had with his mother. As Tehrani writes: “Following the advice of his mother, he granted Kerman to his brother, Abu Yusuf Mirza, and turned his attention to Shiraz.” [5] Undoubtedly, Khatun Jan Begum possessed remarkable insight and abilities, which the powerful Qara Qoyunlu sultan and his son were eager to collaborate with and frequently benefited from her counsel. Her widespread authority is also evident from the decrees she issued. One example was that she issued an order concerning the religious leadership of the Armenians in the Aghwan region of Ganja, granting the local leader and priests exemption from the jizya and similar taxes. [6]
Hasan Ali Mirza, son of Jahan Shah Qara Qoyunlu, was saved from death through the intercession of his stepmother, Khatun Jan Begum. Jan Begum's political role in suppressing the rebellion of Hasan Ali Mirza, her husband's son, is considered one of the key strengths of her political influence. [7] After gaining control over Fars, Pir Budagh assumed its governance. Khatun Jan Begum's political role in suppressing the rebellion of Hasan Ali Mirza, her husband Jahan Shah's son, is considered one of the key demonstrations of her political strength. This intervention ultimately led to a relatively favorable outcome. Hasan Ali Mirza had been imprisoned for several years in the Qahqaheh fortress in Maku due to his father's suspicions. In 863 AH, taking advantage of his father's absence, who was engaged in a campaign in Khorasan, he rose in rebellion with the support of a group of Turkmens and the people of Tabriz. Jahan Shah was forced to quickly conclude his affairs in Khorasan and reach a settlement with the Timurids, then return to Azerbaijan to suppress his son's uprising. Tabriz was under siege when Hasan Ali sought refuge in his father's harem and was saved through the intervention of Begum, who was the mother of Jahan Shah's other children. [8]
After returning from the campaign in Khorasan, Pir Budagh rebelled against his father in Shiraz. Historians attribute this to Jahan Shah's peace agreement with Abu Sa’id Timuri, which Pir Budagh interpreted as a sign of his father's weakness and used as a pretext for rebellion. Other historians suggest that the cause was Jahan Shah's decision to appoint someone other than Pir Budagh as his successor. Khatun Jan Begum also acted as a mediator in this matter. “Ultimately, Pir Budagh’s mother, the respected harem lady of Mirza Jahan Shah, after much negotiation, arranged for Mirza Pir Budagh, along with his followers, dependents, children, and possessions, to go toward Dar al-Salam, Baghdad, and desist from Shiraz.” [9]
In Baghdad, Pir Budagh continued his rebellion against his father. To resolve the internal problems caused by his sons’ uprisings, Jahan Shah placed Hasan Ali Mirza in charge of Baghdad, effectively positioning the two brothers against each other. Khatun Jan Begum, mother of Pir Budagh, was tasked with accompanying Hasan Ali Mirza to Baghdad. Another part of her mission was to oversee Pir Budagh, likely so she could meet with her son and urge him toward reconciliation, discouraging him from confronting his father. However, the people of Baghdad, who were aware of the situation, did not allow Khatun Jan Begum entry into the city. Hasan Ali was forced to go to Syria and seek refuge with the Qara Qoyunlu. Jan Begum returned home, and along the way, she relocated a group of “Qara Ulus” tribes approximately fifty thousand households to the vicinity of Azerbaijan. These tribes later became her followers and supporters. Pir Budagh continued his rebellion and allied with the Muzaffarids, responding positively to his brother Hasan Ali Mirza's request for asylum. Jahan Shah's army advanced on Baghdad, and after a prolonged siege in 870 AH, Pir Budagh was defeated, surrendered, and, through the machinations of his brother Muhammadi, was killed. Despite the death of her son, Khatun Jan Begum remained politically active. After Jahan Shah's death, efforts were made by the daughters of Iskandar Mirza, Arayish Begum, and Shahsaray Begum to determine the next ruler of the Qara Qoyunlu. They attempted to enlist the support of the army and secure Hasan Ali Mirza's accession to the throne by distributing money, silver, and gold from the treasury of Tabriz. According to Tehrani, “The treasury, located in the city, distributed money and goods among the soldiers. Arayish Begum transformed women’s jewellery into weapons, converted her mirror into a shield, and wielded a two-edged sword against the enemy. With her bow, she struck repeatedly at the chest of opponents, pierced them through, and drove their spears into the ground. When she saw the battlefield cleared of the brave, she set in motion plans to establish the throne.” [10]
They minted coins and held Friday prayers in the name of their brother, Hasan Ali Mirza, who was inexperienced in politics and statecraft. When this news reached Khatun Jan Begum, she acted immediately, as she did not want the rule of the Qara Qoyunlu to remain in the hands of Iskandar Mirza’s family. Since Pir Budagh had been killed, she sought to suppress the Iskandarid faction on behalf of her other son, Abu al-Qasim Mirza. With the daughters of Jahan Shah and the support of princes and her followers from the Qara Ulus tribe, she opposed the daughters of Iskandar Mirza and established her position in Maragheh, sending her army to Tabriz.This confrontation ended in favor of Khatun Jan Begum’s forces, and the daughters of Iskandar Mirza were taken captive. However, Hasan Ali Mirza’s supporters took advantage of the situation, and the ultimate victory went to Hasan Ali Mirza. Hasan Ali Mirza assumed the rule of the Qara Qoyunlu, and during subsequent political purges, he killed Khatun Jan Begum, despite the fact that she had repeatedly saved his life. [11]
In addition to her political activities, Khatun Jan Begum was also a pioneer in cultural affairs. Among her notable contributions was the construction of the Muzaffariyah Mosque and Khanqah in Tabriz, inspired by the title of Jahan Shah Qara Qoyunlu, Abu al-Muzaffar. This building is today known as the “Blue Mosque” or “Gök Mosque.” The name derives from the extensive use of turquoise tiles in its decoration. [12]
