Amin al-Din Mirjan

Amin al-Din Mirjan also known as Khwaja Mirjan was a 14th-century politician who served under the Jalayirid Sultanate. He was a loyalist and former servant of Shaykh Uways Jalayir, and was later appointed as his emir to govern over Baghdad, Iraq. Mirjan founded the historic Mirjan Mosque and was buried in the adjoining madrasa which was attached to it, which was ultimately demolished in 1946 by the Iraqi government.

Early life

Not much is known about the origins and life of Amin al-Din Mirjan. The Shafi'i scholar, Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani regards him as Mirjan ibn Abdullah al-Khadim, indicating him to be a khadim. He was also contemporary to the last Ilkhanid ruler, Abu Sa'id Bahadur Khan. Some have regarded Mirjan as being of Roman descent.

Revolt against Shaykh Uways

In 1364, Amin al-Din Mirjan led a rebellion against his former master and now superior, Shaykh Uways Jalayir. The next year, Shaykh Uways arrested him in Baghdad after some other rebellions had been quelled. However, he forgave Mirjan due to being unwilling in killing his own friend. Mirjan was pardoned and returned to his original post of governor of Baghdad.