The Turco-Mongol Invasions and the Lords of Armenia in the 13 ...

Following the death of Abu Sa'id in 1335» a period
of nine years of internecine warfare broke out among
various nomadic elements vying for power. Between 1335
and 1344 no less than 8 Khans were enthroned, only to
be deposed or murdered, shortly afterwards. But the
collapse of the fl-Khans, far from signalling freedom
from oppressive rule for the Armenians, meant only that
that land now became the theater of warfare for the
various new contenders .
During the first part of the 14th century, the first
set of new contenders consisted of two nomadic clans, the
Jalayirids and the Chobanids. The eponymous founders of
both these clans had come to northwestern Iran, the Caucasus
and Asia Minor during the 13th century. As a result of
devastating battles fought between these clans in Armenia
in 1338, the Chobanids emerged as temporary victors. The
Chobanids, under the leadership of one Hasan-i Kuchak.
reunited many parts of the fragmented Httlegtiid state
(including Armenia) . However, their victory did not
mean the disappearance of the rival Jalayirids. In 1340
Hasan-i Kuchak waged war against Jalayirid holdings in
1 SOT pp. 413-17; 14CC #339 p. 276, #347 P.281, #348 p.
283, #350 p. 285, #379 P. 306.
2 HAP IV (Erevan, 1972) ch . 1 pp. 15-23, L.A. Xajikyan,
"Hayastane Cobanyanneri ev Jelairyanneri tirapetut Van
Samanakaarpanum [ArmenTa in the Period of the Domination
of the Chobanids and Jalayiride]11. HA? IV pp. 15-16;
Sebastia/Sivas was starved into submission in 1339 (SA p,168).
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