Meaning
The exact meaning depends on context: *Khan of the nation. The earliest mention of a similar title in this meaning, namely "Illig Qaghan", refers to Bumin Qaghan and dates to 552 CE. (In fact, Nikolai Gumilyov transcribes Bumin's title as "ilkhan".) *More recently, the tribal chief that heads both branches of the Bakhtiari people, under whom several ''khans'' operate (20th century CE). In the context of the Hulaguid dynasty, commonly known as the Ilkhanate, the title ''Ilkhan'' was borne by the descendants of Hulagu and later other Borjigin princes in Persia, starting from c. 1259-1265. Two interpretations have been proposed: *'submissive', 'peaceable', 'obedient', or 'subservient' khan, or 'polity prince'. Possibly equivalent to Chinese , and to Islamic '' sultan''. Here the lesser "khanship" intended to indicate the initial deference of Hulagu to Möngke Khan and his successor Great Khans of the Mongol Empire. *Sovereign khan. From ''ilig khan''. It was possibly equivalent to Chinese ('Emperor with a genuine mandate'). It was to be construed as a power over regional affairs, not in opposition to the Great Khan, yet not conferred by him.In fiction
*In BattleTech, the IlKhan is the highest leader of The Clans.See also
* Elbasy ('Head of the Nation')References
Further reading
*{{Cite book, last=Doerfer, first=Gerhard, url=https://opendata.uni-halle.de//handle/1981185920/38353, title=Türkische und mongolische Elemente im Neupersischen , volume=Bd 2. Türkische Elemente im Neupersischen : alif bis tā , date=1965, publisher=Steiner, doi=10.25673/38110 , a