Ibrahim (Timurid Dynasty)

Ibrahim (d. c. 1459) was a Timurid ruler of Herat in the fifteenth century. He was the son of 'Ala' al-Daula, a great-grandson of Timur.

Ibrahim came to power in Herat in the aftermath of the death of Babur Ibn-Baysunkur. Babur's son Shah Mahmud had succeeded him, but as he was still a boy, his hold on power was weak. Ibrahim overthrew Shah Mahmud weeks after Babur's death, and therefore became the ruler of Khurasan.

In July 1457, however, the Timurid ruler of Transoxiana, Abu Sa'id, invaded. Abu Sa'id occupied Balkh but was unable to conquer Herat. Ibrahim's troubles were increased when Jahan Shah of the Black Sheep Turkmen invaded as well. After occupying Gurgan, he defeated Ibrahim outside Astarabad. Ibrahim's father 'Ala' al-Daula met up with him in Herat to offer assistance, but in the end they both fled from the region. Jahan Shah entered Herat on June 28, 1458 but soon withdrew. But Ibrahim was not able to recover his realm; Khurasan instead fell to Abu Sa'id.

Shortly after, Ibrahim and 'Ala' al-Daula formed an alliance with Sultan Sanjar (a grandson of Timur's son 'Umar Shaikh) against Abu Sa'id. The opposing forces met during the Battle of Sarakhs in March of 1459, where Abu Sa'id defeated them. Ibrahim and his father fled, while Sultan Sanjar was executed. Ibrahim died only a few months later; his father died the following year.NB Astarabad or Esterabad was renamed Gorgan (Jorjan in Arabic) in 1937.