Kebek

Kebek was the son of Duwa, who was the Khan from 1282 until 1307. Duwa sent several expeditions to the Delhi Sultanate of India. Of these, the 1306 expedition was led by a general, whose name appears variously as "Kabak" or "Kapak" in the writings of the Delhi courtier Amir Khusrau.^[1] René Grousset identified this general as Duwa Khan's son Kebek.^[2] However, Kishori Saran Lal believes this general must have been a different person, because the Indian chronicles state that he was captured and killed in India during the 1306 expedition.^[3]

The situation in the Chagatai Khanate following the death of Duwa in 1307 turned volatile, with two of his successors reigning within one year and with the sons of Kaidu still hoping to regain control over the khans. By 1308 Taliqu was in charge of the khanate but his rule was quickly contested. His enemies rallied among Kebek, and they defeated and overthrew Taliqu in 1308 or 1309. As a result, Kebek became khan of the ulus.^[4][5]

At this point, Kaidu's sons decided to make their move against the Chagatayids. Having recently come off his war with Taliqu, Kebek found himself facing an invasion by Yangichar, Orus, Chapar and Tügme. The two sides met near Almaliq, where Kebek's forces ultimately won a pitched battle. Following this, Chapar decided to surrender to the Yuan emperor Khayisan (Emperor Wuzong), permanently ending the threat against the Chagatayids by Kaidu's sons.^[4][5]

With Yangichar and his brothers defeated, Kebek held a quriltai to decide on a future of the khanate. At the quriltai the Mongol princes agreed to recognize Kebek's brother Esen Buqa as the khan. Esen Buqa was summoned to take control of the Chagatai Khanate, and Kebek stepped down in his favor, although it was in favor of a Yuan Dynasty ruler.^[5]