Personal Property of Ilkhanate Rulers: “Inju”

The Mongols, who emerged in the 13th century and caused great fear and chaos among the world powers, achieved significant success due to their warrior nature and the military strategies they employed. Spreading vast geography, the Mongols established various states under different names in these regions. Since these states were founded by the sons and grandsons of Genghis Khan, they existed under their names. With Genghis Khan, the Mongols gained a political identity, and as they transitioned to a settled lifestyle, they began to prioritize state formation and or. The Mongols, who were particularly sensitive regarding state organization, sought to gain experience and ensure internal structuring by bringing many politicians from different countries. In this regard, they greatly benefited from the experienced politicians of various nations. It is primarily known that the Uyghur Turks played a primary role in the Mongols organization processes, as they were highly successful in matters of state. Of course, this interaction was not limited to the Uyghur Turks. As the Mongols became influential in Chinese territories, Chinese politicians were appointed to important administrative positions, and their experience was utilized as much as possible in matters of organization. From this perspective, it is evident that the Mongols adopted and implemented various organizational and administrative systems from different nations. One of the practices shaped within this cosmopolitan organizational and administrative structure was undoubtedly the İnju lands, considered the ruler's and his family's personal property. The term İnju frequently mentioned in Uyghur and Mongol texts, carries meanings such as dowry and inheritance and is regarded as the ruler’s treasury. In this context, the article aims to present the etymology of the term İnju, the disputes over these lands among Mongol rulers, and essential information about the administration and revenues of the İnju lands, based on primary Persian and Arabic sources as well as contemporary research works.