Ahmad Fanakati
Ahmad Fanakati († April 10, 1282 ) was Kublai Khan's finance minister and one of the fraudulent officials of the Mongol period in China . His case can be found in Marco Polo and is therefore also reproduced in related novels and films.
Ascent
According to Raschid ed Din, Ahmad Fanakati came from Fanakat southwest of Tashkent and originally belonged to the household of Kubilai's wife Chabi († 1281?). He was mentioned in Kubilai's service as early as 1247 and 1253. In 1262 he came to the Central Secretariat of the Reich and two years later became one of the Vice Chancellors, responsible for finances. In 1270 its financial management became independent from the Central Secretariat, but the regime was withdrawn two years later. In the spring of 1282, d. H. shortly before his murder he reached the rank of chancellor on the left (together with a son Yelü Chucai ), the second highest position in civil administration. A number of notable political opponents died of natural causes in the course of the 1970s, some withdrew, and that gave him extensive freedom of action.
Deeds and misdeeds
Much of his actions can only be seen in the context of the Court's huge financial needs. He increased the number of taxpayers, increased taxes and prices, and introduced new state monopolies . But there are also further allegations. In fact, he also enriched himself privately through speculation with the prices for gold, silver, tea, salt, iron and other state monopolies. His appointments were marked by severe corruption. Marco Polo is said to have given many offices in return for harem ladies, and the official Yuan Shi court chronicle confirms this in at least one case. He made his son Masud governor of Hangzhou . He is also held responsible for unjustified charges at Polo, for which there are also references in Chinese sources. In Raschid ed Din there is no condemnation of Ahmad, but also no words of praise as for Sayyid Ajall Shams ad-Din Umar († 1279).
assassination
His murder was the work of lower classes. The leading roles were played by a Chiliarch (ie a military commander) named Wang Zhu (1254–1282) and a Buddhist monk named Gao, a desperado on the run from the law. There is no information about the exact motives of the two. The Great Khan had moved to the summer residence together with the Crown Prince Dschingkim († 1286, an enemy of Ahmad) and left Ahmad in the capital. Wang Zhu managed to simulate the return of the Crown Prince with a forged letter and then ordered Ahmad to receive him. At the (midnight) palace gate, Ahmad mistook the conspirators for the crown prince's entourage and was promptly murdered. Now the palace guards understood the situation and put down the riot. Wang Zhu was arrested while Gao escaped, but was found two days later. Both were executed.
When Kubilai Khan was informed about the details of Ahmad's administration, he had his sons executed, property confiscated, the harem dissolved and the officials appointed by him (around 700 people) fired. According to Raschid ed Din, the impetus for the procedure was a small thing: a gemstone Kubilai that was found in Ahmad's estate.
Remarks
literature
- Morris Rossabi: Khubilai Khan: his life and times. Berkeley, London, New York 1988
- Igor de Rachewiltz, Hok-lam Chan, Hsiao Ch'i-ch'ing, Peter W. Geier a. a .: In the Service of the Khan - Personalities of the Early Mongol-Yüan Period , Wiesbaden 1993
- Hans Eckart Rübesamen: Marco Polo. From Venice to China. Vienna 2003
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Ahmad Fanakati |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Finance Minister Kubilai Khan |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 12th century or 13th century |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 10, 1282 |