Sykes' History of Persia Vol 2 (pdf) - Heritage Institute

1 68 HISTORY OF PERSIA CHAP.
spared. Finally the Fars authorities withdrew their force,
probably on account of their relation to the suzerain
court of Khwarazm, and Razi-u-Din, after experiencing
some vicissitudes of fortune, obtained possession of the
province, which upon his death he bequeathed to his son
Malik Shuja-u-Din.
Another new character now appeared at Kerman in
1
the shape of a certain Borak Hajib, once an official of the
Kara Khitai dynasty, who had transferred his services to
Khwarazm, and was proceeding to India accompanied by
a number of Khwarazm Amirs, with the intention of
joining Jalal-u-Din. Malik Shuja-u-Din attempted to
rob the party, but was defeated and put to death. Borak
Hajib, feeling that it would be foolish to neglect such an
exceptional opportunity, seized the province with the aid
of Jalal-u-Din and made good
his position.
He attempted
the life of his sovereign,
as already narrated, and subsequently
captured and strangled Ghias-u-Din. With the
present of his head this
disloyal, but only too successful,
adventurer won the favour of the Mongols, and Ogotay
not only confirmed him in his rule, but conferred on him
the title of Kutlugh Khan. The dynasty played no part
outside the Kerman province and does not appear to call
for further notice. 2
Christian Missions to the Mongols ,A.D. 1245-1253. The
invasion of the Mongols, and more especially
the awful
devastation wrought by them in Poland and Hungary,
had excited much alarm and horror all over Europe,
though not sufficient to cause a cessation of internal strife.
When it
appeared improbable that they would attempt
to conquer Western Europe, the fear they inspired began
to give place
to the hope that they would shatter Islam,
and rumours were also heard that there were Christian
tribes
among
the new invaders.
The views of Christendom found expression at the
Council of Lyons, held in 1245, which decided that two
embassies should be despatched to the Great Khan. Only
one of these reached its destination. At its head was
1
Hajib signifies Chief Guardian or Chamberlain.
2 In Ten Thousand Miles, etc., pp. 60-62, I have dealt with this dynasty more fully.