Prolegomena on Ibn Ajā's Journey to Tabriz: Chronology and Itinerary According to the Tārīkh al-Amīr Yashbak

The Tārīkh al-Amīr Yashbak of Ibn Ajā represents one of the most intriguing texts produced within the Mamluk realms during the second half of the fifteenth century. Ostensibly describing the military campaign led by the Mamluk general and statesman Yashbak min Mahdī against the Dulghādirid ruler shāh Suwār in 875–77/1471–72, this work's special interest lies in the virtuoso displays of Arabic-Islamic learning and political astuteness that Ibn Ajā claims to have deployed during this enterprise. Although he also inscribes himself in a decisive role during the multiple negotiations with shāh Suwār, the focus of this agency arguably is centered around his diplomatic mission to the Aqquyunlu court of Tabriz between Ṣafar and Jumādá II 876/August and November 1471. Nonetheless, the reception of this text has been hindered by some confusion concerning the chronology and itinerary of Ibn Ajā's journey to Tabriz. The present contribution aims to clarify this confusion by reconstructing the chronology and itinerary of Ibn Ajā's diplomatic mission. To this end, it contextualizes the unique manuscript of the Tārīkh al-Amīr Yashbak (MS Topkapı III Ahmet 3057) within the context of the historical geography of eastern Anatolia and Ādharbayjān during the fifteenth century. Thereby, this article aims to make the Tārīkh al-Amīr Yashbak more accessible and encourage further engagement with this important source.