Baqi Muhammad Khan
Real founder of the Ashtarkhanid dynasty in the Khanate of Bukhara: defeated the last Shaybanid in 1601 and was khan of Bukhara from 1603 until his death in 1605.
- Occupation:
- Historical figure, Politician, Military officer
- Born:
- 1579 — 1605
- Father:
- Jani Muhammad (Jani Beg Sultan)
Biography
Baqi Muhammad (Baqi Muhammad Khan) was one of the first rulers of the Khanate of Bukhara from the Ashtarkhanid (Janid, Toqay-Timurid) dynasty, a descendant of Toqay-Timur, a grandson of Genghis Khan’s son Jochi. He was a son of Jani Muhammad (Jani Beg Sultan) and a nephew of Abdullah Khan II. His year of birth is not established: sources give both 1554 and 1579.
After Abdullah Khan II died in 1598 and his son Abd al-Mu’min was killed, the khanate came under pressure from the Safavids in the south and the Kazakh khan Tawakkul in the north. Baqi Muhammad’s elder brother Din Muhammad was killed in 1599 fighting the Safavids; Baqi Muhammad emerged as the leading commander and from 1599 governed Samarkand.
He defeated the last Shaybanid, Pir Muhammad II: at the battle of Bagh-i Shamal near Samarkand (in 1601 according to most sources) Pir Muhammad was beaten and executed, and the Ashtarkhanid era in Bukhara began. For some years his father Jani Muhammad was acknowledged as supreme khan, but real power lay with the son; in November 1603 Baqi Muhammad was formally raised to the khan’s throne.
In the south he repelled Shah Abbas I’s 1602 campaign against Balkh, placed his brother Vali Muhammad in charge of Balkh, and took Kunduz in 1603. In 1599–1600 he sent an envoy to the Ottoman sultan Mehmed III asking for help against Iran; the Ottomans offered to send 200 arquebuses and three cannons. In the north, Kazakh sultans took Tashkent, Fergana, Turkestan and Sayram from the khanate.
During his short reign Baqi Muhammad carried out administrative, tax and military reforms. He minted coins bearing the name “Baqi Muhammad Bahadur Khan” and the names of the first four caliphs, and built several mosques and madrasas in Bukhara and an idgah, a garden and an audience hall in Samarkand.
Baqi Muhammad died in Bukhara in 1605 of illness (1606 in some sources). His brother Vali Muhammad (1605–1611) succeeded him.
Career
- Khanate of BukharaGovernor of Samarkand (from 1599), khan of Bukhara (1603–1605) · Bukhara · 1599–1605Everyone who held this post →
Life path
- 1599Governor of Samarkand
After his brother Din Muhammad fell fighting the Safavids, he came to the fore and became governor of Samarkand.
- 1599–1600Embassy to the Ottomans
Sent an envoy to the court of the Ottoman sultan Mehmed III asking for military help against Iran.
- 1601Battle of Bagh-i Shamal
Defeated Pir Muhammad II near Samarkand; Pir Muhammad was executed and the Ashtarkhanid era began. Some sources date the event to 1599.
- 1602Defence of Balkh
Repelled Safavid shah Abbas I’s campaign against Balkh.
- 1603Capture of Kunduz
Took Kunduz after a three-month siege.
- 1603Proclaimed khan
Proclaimed khan of Bukhara in November; Bukhara remained the capital, but he spent more time in Samarkand.
- 1603–1605Reforms and building
Carried out administrative, tax and military reforms and built mosques, madrasas, an idgah and a garden in Bukhara and Samarkand.
- 1603–1605Losses in the north
Kazakh sultans took Tashkent, Fergana, Turkestan and Sayram out of the khanate’s hands.
- 1605Death
Died in Bukhara of illness; his brother Vali Muhammad took the throne.
Legacy
Baqi Muhammad is regarded as the real founder of the Ashtarkhanid (Janid) dynasty, which ruled the Khanate of Bukhara after the Shaybanids until 1756. By repelling the Safavid campaign against Balkh he secured the dynasty’s hold on Transoxiana and Balkh and strengthened the system of appanages, although under Kazakh pressure the khanate lost lands in the north. Historians note that his person and activity remain insufficiently studied.
Era: Khanate of Bukhara, late 16th – early 17th century- Pir Muhammad II defeated at the battle of Bagh-i Shamal near Samarkand (1601)
- Shah Abbas I’s campaign against Balkh repelled (1602)
- Baqi Muhammad proclaimed khan of Bukhara (1603)
- Baqi Muhammad dies; his brother Vali Muhammad takes the throne (1605)