Qazaghan (died 1358) was theamir of theQara'unas (1345 at the latest – 1358) and the effective ruler of theChagataiulus (1346–1358).
The following opinions were expressed about the ethnic origin of the Qazaghan: 1)Vasily Bartold wrote that Qazaghan was very likely from the Kauchin tribe;[1] he believed that the Kauchins were aTurkisizedMongol tribe;[2] 2) In his other early work, Bartold called Qazaghan aTurkic emir.[3][4]
Qazaghan's lineage is mostly unknown; it is possible that he became head of the Qara'unas through appointment instead of inheritance[5] In 1345 he rebelled against his sovereign, theChagatai KhanQazan, but was defeated. The following year he tried again and succeeded in killing the khan. Qazan's death signified the end of the effective power of the Chagatai khans within theulus; subsequent khans were rulers in name only. Qazaghan, in the interest of maintaining an image of legitimacy, contented himself with his title of amir and conferred the title of khan on descendants ofGenghis Khan of his own choosing: firstDanishmendji (1346–1348) and thenBayan Quli (1348–1358).
During the twelve years that Qazaghan served as thepower behind the throne, the khanate devolved into a loose confederation of tribes that respected the overall authority of Qazaghan and his puppet khans, although he primarily commanded the loyalty of the tribes of the southern portion of theulus. Following the example of the khans before him, Qazaghan raided northernIndia. He also sent several thousand troops to aid theSultan of Delhi,Muhammad bin Tughluq, against rebels in his country in 1350 or 1351 and also supported his sonFiruz Shah Tughlaq to the throne. Following complaints from theArlat and theArpardi tribes, who were members of theulus, of raids by theKartids under Mu'izzu'd-Din, Qazaghan coordinated apunitive expedition with most of the tribes of the southern part of theulus. The coalition sackedHerat and gathered a large amount of plunder.
In 1358 Qazaghan was assassinated by the son of Borolday, who had been amir of the Qara'unas before Qazaghan. He had aroused the anger of his murderer by denying him thetumen of Borolday. He was succeeded as leader of the Qara'unas by his son,‘Abdullah.