In the history of the Djelayir, originally a branch of the Mongol race who later became Turkish in the lands of Turkestan and Kipchak, we also see a woman sovereign enthroned. The sources about Döndü Hatun’s life are very few unfortunately but, at the beginning of the chapter, author Bahriye Üçok summarizes the foundation and development of the Djelayir state.
The history of this state is connected to Hasan the Great, who we have already met in connection with our discussion of Sati Bey Hatun’s accession to the Ilhanid throne. He established an independent state in Baghdad, following prolonged struggles with Hasan the Small and other emirs (1340). Hasan the Great, who added Iraq and Iran to his territories and married Dilşad Hatun, the widow of Ebu Said, almost became the inheritor of the Ilhanid Empire.
His son and successor Üveys (1356) took Azerbaijan and Tabriz from the Golden Horde; he also added Mosul and Diyarbakır to his lands. His son Hüseyin, who took his place in 776/1374-5, engaged in a war with the Muzafferids and the Karakoyunlu, but later ceased hostilities with the Karakoyunlu upon their request for peace.