AHistoryIndependent states
The Chobanids (1335-1357)
A dynasty of Mongol origin, Turkic in speech, that ruled Azerbaijan and western Iran from Tabriz after the Ilkhanate fell apart.
A note on origin: the Chobanids came from the Mongol Suldus clan, which lived among Turks under the Ilkhans and became Turkic. The Atlas lists the dynasty with this note.
The name comes from Chupan, the chief emir of the Ilkhanate. After 1335 his grandson Hasan Kuchak set up puppet Ilkhans and took Azerbaijan. Tabriz was the capital, and Chobanid influence reached from Arran to eastern Anatolia, while Baghdad stayed with their rivals, the Jalayirids.
Hasan Kuchak's brother Malik Ashraf (1343-1357) was remembered for heavy taxes and cruelty. In 1357 Jani Beg, khan of the Golden Horde, marched on Tabriz, killed Malik Ashraf and ended Chobanid rule.
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Updated: November 10, 2026