Alvand Mirza (Kara Koyunlu)


Alvand Mirza was a ruler of Amid and Asadabad and the direct descendant of Qara Iskander.

Early life

Alvand Mirza was appointed to rule Mosul during his uncle Jahan Shah's reign. Mirza rebelled against Shah and was forced to flee to Ak Koyunlu, then under the rule of Jahangir Beg. Shah demanded that his rebellious nephew to be handed over to him, but Beg refused. Shah then invaded Erzincan and sent his grandnephew, Rustem Beg, to subdue Jahangir Beg. Hopelessly, Jahangir Beg sent his mother Sara Khatun to Mamluk Egypt, while Jahan Shah started to support his half-brother Sheikh Hasan. Sheikh Hasan was killed by Uzun Hasan, brother of Jahangir Beg; Jahan Shah quickly offered peace to Ak Koyunlu, in return for accepting their submission. Jahangir Beg accepted and also wed his daughter to Mirza Muhammad.

In Timurid service

Upon Ak Koyunlu's submission, Alvand Mirza left for Shiraz with his son Pirguli in a bid to join Babur. He was made a commander in Timurid army and joined Babur in a siege of Samarkand during 1454. He was sent by Babur to conquer Sistan and Kirman. After defeating Jahan Shah's generals Amir Bayazid and Shahsevar Beg, they were soon followed by Mirza Yusuf. Clashes stopped after Babur's death on 25 March 1457, followed by Jahan Shah's conquest of Khorasan

During reign of Jahan Shah

After Jahan's capture of Herat, he resubmitted to his uncle in hopes of retaining Kirman. Jahan Shah however, only granted him Asadabad. Mirza Yusuf's daughter Khadija Begum was wed to Pirguli Beg. Alvand left Kirman to Jahan Shah's general Mansur beg Turkman. He remained in Asadabad for next 2 years until his death.

Personal life

He had two sons: