Moğol Kağanı Olcaytu Han'ın Mardin Müzesinde Bulunan Bir Sikkesinde Şia Propagan

In this article, two coins, which we detected during a research in Mardin Museum, have been studied. One of such coins was made of silver, and the other one was made of copper. When the inscriptions on such coins were read, it was seen that they belong to the Mongol Khan Öljaitü. The coin inscriptions are in parallel with the periodical resources giving information about the life of Öljaitü Khan. The resources of the period have told the process of Öljaitü Khan becoming Muslim in a very detailed manner. The silver coin in the museum, dated 704/1304, was minted after Öljaitü Khan had become Muslim. On this coin, names of Caliph Rashid (4 caliphs) were mentioned, they were saluted, and accordingly an attitude of followers of sunnah was put forward. However, such Sunni attitude did not last long within colourful religious life of Öljaitü Khan, and the adventure of preferring the Shia sect started soon. The second coin, which is copper, bears the clues of practices made after Öljaitü Khan become Shia. Öljaitü Khan transformed such coin into a Shia propaganda material with the statement of Aliyyenveliyullah. Resources of the period state that Öljaitü Khan not only wrote Aliyyenveliyullah on the coins, but also added “Hayye ale’l-Hayrü’l Amel” statement in the adhan, by means of imperial orders sent to all dominated regions. He excluded the name of companion of Prophet Mohammed from the coins, and wrote names of 12 Shia imams. The reason why Öljaitü Khan transformed his imperial powers into Shiah propaganda is that he wanted to change his subjects just like his own transformation. But Mongol subjects were mainly Sunni, and such kind of actions were perceived by the people as power pressure. As a result of such force into change of sect, the people resisted severely in important centres such as Baghdad and Shiraz.