The Institution of Bukaul in Turko-Mongol States: Ilkhanid, Jochid and Chagataid Traditions
Институт букаула в тюрко-монгольских государствах: хулагуидская, джучидская и чагатайская традиция
Mustakimov I.A. Pochekaev R.Yu. Abzalov L.F. Gatin M.S.
2023Kalmyk Scientific Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences
Oriental Studies
2023#16Issue 4702 - 717 pp.
Introduction. The article examines the institution of bukaul in Chinggisid states and their successors. Special attention is given to functions implemented by the official in the uluses of Hulagu, Jochi and Chagatai — and the former’s evolution throughout centuries. It is also explained why the functions tended to vary in different Turko-Mongol states. Goals. The study seeks to characterize the status of bukaul in Chinggisid and post-Chinggisid states. To facilitate this, the paper introduces a Russian translation and an interdisciplinary analysis of one legislative act — yarliq (decree) — appointing an army bukaul, and compares it to other sources for specific features of this official in Turko-Mongol states. Materials and methods. The paper examines Dastur al-Katib fi Tayin al-Maratib (A Scribe’s Guide to Determining Ranks) compiled in the mid-fourteenth century by Persian official Muhammad ibn Hindushah Nakhchivani, and other historical sources on Turko-Mongol states — from the empire of Genghis Khan and to Central Asian khanates of the eighteenth–nineteenth centuries. The work employs a series of historical and legal research methods, such as those of source criticism, diplomatic analysis, comparative historical research, formal legal approach, historical legal and comparative legal analyses. Results. Bukauls are often mentioned by medieval Asian historians but the messages tend to vary, which gives rise to different opinions as to their status and functions. The paper introduces the yarliq appointing a bukaul from Dastur al-Katib into Russian-language scientific discourse and supplements it with a detailed interdisciplinary analysis. Our comparative insights into other sources attest to that functions of bukaul in different Chinggisid states were as different and diverse, which resulted from the latter’s specific sociopolitical and economic development conditions. Conclusions. Depending on correlations between Mongol imperial and regional traditions of power, administrative and socioeconomic patterns, bukaul could serve as distributor of material benefits in the army (Mongol Iran), as executive of administrative and law-enforcement structures (Ulus of Jochi), and even as courtier in charge of khans’ cuisine (Chagatai Ulus). At the same time in Chinggisid and post-Chinggisid states, bukauls were usually ethnic Turko-Mongols of noble origin with military-oriented minds and corresponding training, which resulted in that they could be actively involved into military endeavors regardless of their official positions and functions. © KalmSC RAS, 2023
Chagatai Ulus , Golden Horde , Great Moghuls , Moghulistan , Mongol Empire , Mongol Iran , Oriental historical sources , yarliqs of khans
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Institute for Research, Ulus of Jochi, 15Б, Pushkin St., Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 2, Satpayev St., Nur-Sultan, 010000, Kazakhstan
National Research University Higher School of Economics, 3, Kantemirovskaya St., St. Petersburg, 194100, Russian Federation
Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, 44, Levo-Bulachnaya St., Kazan, 420111, Russian Federation
Institute for Research
L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University
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