Emirate of Erzincan

The Emirate of Erzincan (/ˌɛərzɪnˈdʒɑːn/ AIR-zinn-JAHN) was a state in eastern Anatolia and the Caucasus, centered around the city of Erzincan (present-day Turkey) in the 14th and early 15th centuries. Its first known ruler, Ahi Ayna (r. 1348–62), rose to power as a vassal of the Eretnids through a purchase from his unknown predecessor sometime before 1348. Ahi Ayna exercised autonomy after his overlord Eretna's (r. 1343–52) death. Ahi Ayna is known to have clashed with the neighboring Empire of Trebizond and other emirates. In 1361, he advanced into the Kingdom of Georgia, capturing several fortresses. His probable son and the ruler of Karahisar, Pir Husayn (r. 1362–79) arrived in Erzincan in June the next year amidst a possible unrest. Ahi Ayna was killed in July and succeeded by Pir Husayn. While the latter is known to have been involved in subsequent conflicts with the neighboring local rulers in the next months, details on his reign until his death remain unknown.

The nephew of Eretna, Mutahharten (r. 1379–1403) took power following Pir Husayn's passing and declared independence, which triggered a long-lasting war with the Eretnids and their vizier Kadi Burhan al-Din, who usurped the rule of the Eretnids in 1381. Upon the advent of Timur, Mutahharten swore allegiance and temporarily halted his campaigns in Anatolia. Often overpowered by his enemies, Mutahharten forged alliances with various groups but did not hesitate to turn against his former allies, such as the Aq Qoyunlu, when he saw fit. Contrary to his predecessors, Mutahharten observed friendly relations with the Empire of Trebizond and his Christian subjects. After Kadi Burhan al-Din's death, Mutahharten faced a new threat from the Ottoman state, when Bayezid I demanded he surrender Erzincan. Mutahharten instead relied on Timur's strength and found himself in the midst of the Ottoman–Timurid conflict. Bayezid took Erzincan in 1401, imprisoning Mutahharten for a short period. Mutahharten continued supporting Timur until he died in late 1403. His death signaled the nearing end for the Emirate of Erzincan, which would frequently change hands between the Aq Qoyunlu and their rival Qara Qoyunlu.