khan

Posted at Nov 27/2006 01:59PM:
Joey: The title for the leader of a Mongol tribe. Genghis was one. In terms of relevance to Islamic history, Genghis Khan invaded a large part of Eurasia in the 13th century, including central Asia and the northern steppes. Upon his death his giant empire was split between his sons and successors, and for a time they continued the invasions, reaching all the way to the gates of Vienna on the European side. These khans eventually settled down - the result of which was a unified (in all but name) zone stretching from Europe across to China, facilitating what Abu-Lughod calls the Northern Route of trade between East and West. This was not to last forever, though, and as the Khans began to blend with their local populations (such as the Khan of a central Asian region who converted to Islam) and fight amongst themselves, this route was destabilized.
It was a khan who sacked Baghdad (and ended what remained of the Abbasid Caliphate, by killing the Caliph), and a Khan who fought with the Mamluks of Egypt for control of Syria (and lost).
The unique nature of Khan leadership requires that upon the death of one Khan, the entire tribe return to a central location to choose or overlook the ascension of the next Khan. This saved more than one state in Europe and the Middle East.

Posted at Dec 05/2006 12:53AM:
Asad: Also known as a caravanserai, it is a kind of hostel that provided lodgings for travellers, utilized in particular by visiting merchants and pilgrims. Being found at regular intervals, they may be used by archaeologists in defining trade and pilgrimage routes. They usually had rooms to store goods and house animals that the travellers may bring along with them. A mosque is also usually found in the same complex.

Ian's Comments:

For the purpose of this course we are interested in the latter meaning of khan as an institution in the service of commerce and trade. They are important markers of the linkages between places - as homes away form home and as places of cultural interaction. They are often at the heart of the city. What might that indicate about the nature of Muslim society?

Posted at Dec 13/2006 02:32AM:
Bobby "Fresh": Khans indicated that Islam really was a community of believers and although there were different sects, and dynasties, and ethnicities within Islam; Islam was a faith that united people much more than it differentiated.