Arghun Khan aka
Argon (
Mongolian Cyrillic:
Аргун хан) (c. 1258 – March 7, 1291) was the fourth ruler of the
Mongol empire's Ilkhanate, from 1284 to 1291. He was the son of
Abaqa Khan, and like his father, was a devout
Buddhist (although pro-Christian). He was known for sending several embassies to Europe in an unsuccessful attempt to form a
Franco-Mongol alliance against the Muslims in the
Holy Land. It was also Arghun who requested a new bride from his great-uncle
Kublai Khan. The mission to escort the young
Kökötchin across Asia to Arghun was reportedly taken by
Marco Polo. Arghun died before Kökötchin arrived, so she instead married Arghun's son,
Ghazan.