Qara Hülegü

This article is about the Chagatai Khan. For the founder of the Ilkhanate, see Hulegu Khan.

Qara Hülegü (died 1252) was head of the ulus of the Chagatai Khanate (1242–1246, 1252).

Qara Hülegü
Eshan
Khan of the Chagatai Khanate
1st reign	1242–1246
Predecessor	Chagatai Khan
Successor	Yesü Möngke
2nd reign	1252
Predecessor	Yesü Möngke
Successor	Mubarak Shah
Vizier	Qarachar
Died	1252
Spouse	Orghana
House	Borjigin
Father	Mutukan
Mother	Ebuskun

He was the son of Mutukan (killed during the siege of Bamyan), who was the favored son of Chagatai Khan. He was nominated by Chagatai Khan, as well as Ögedei Khan, to become khan. Since he was still young, his mother Ebuskun acted as regent for him. In order to ensure his power, however, the Grand Khan Güyük Khan deposed him in 1246 and replaced him with one of Qara Hülegü's uncles, Yesü Möngke.^[1]

However, following the ascension of Güyük's successor, Möngke Khan, Qara Hülegü gained the Great Khan's favor by supporting him in his purges of the family of Ögedei. He was restored to his position of Chagatai Khan, but died before returning to his realm. Mongke permitted his wife Orghana Khatun (daughter of Toralchi Küregen, granddaughter of Qutuqa Beki) to serve as regent. Qara Hülegü was later succeeded by his son Mubarak Shah.