Eretna

Ala al-Din Eretna (or Eretne, also Artanā) was a Mongol officer of Uyghur origin in the service of Timurtash, the Ilkhanid governor of Anatolia. He later became the last Mongol governor of Anatolia himself and forged his own principality and dynasty, the Eretnids. The name of Eretna may be derived from रत्न through ᠡᠷᠳ᠋ᠡᠨ᠋ᠢ. He was born to Taiju Bakhshi (changed his name to Ja'far after conversion), a trusted bakhshi of Abaqa and his wife Tükälti. His elder brother was Emir Taramtaz, who persuaded Öljaitü to convert to Shiism, was executed by Abu Sa'id along with his brother Sanktâz for joining the rebellion of Irinjin in 1319. His niece was married to a son of Sa'd al-Din Savaji, vizier of Öljaitü. His sister was married to Timurtash. Apparently Eretna did not join to revolt of 1319 and became a loyal follower of Timurtash, new viceroy in Anatolia. He led an army against Nasir-ud Din Ahmed of Sahib Ataids in August 1327. However, he was recalled by Timurtash upon learning of his brother Demasq Kaja's execution on 24 August. Eretna became acting viceroy on 22 December 1327 when Timurtash left for Mameluk Egypt. However fearing punishment, Ertene fled to Ibrahim I of Karaman. Timurtash was replaced by Amir Muhammad from Oirat tribe, an uncle of Abu Sa'id. He probably later travelled to Abu Sa'id's court in 1328. He rose to prominence again under Jalayirid viceroy of Anatolia, Hasan Buzurg, who became governor in 1332. He effectively became viceroy after Hasan Buzurg departed for Azerbaijan to crown his puppet Muhammad Khan in 1336. However, Hassan Kuchak established supremacy in Ilkhanid domains quickly in 1338, which forced Eretna to seek alliance with Mamelukes to seek protection. This protection was granted but it was nominal and short-lived, which prompted the Sultan to authorize raids on his lands. First such raid came from Turcoman chief Zeyneddin Karaca Bey who captured Darende to establish Beylik of Dulkadir. Karaca bey captured some territory from Aleppo viceroyalty of Egypt as well, which caused governor Amir Tashtamur to flee to Eretna in 1339–1340.