Yesun Temur (Chagatai Khanate)

Yesun Temur (died 1342) was Khan of the Chagatai Khanate from 1338 to 1342. He was a descendant of Chagatai Khan, though the precise details of his lineage are often debated.

Yesun Temur ascended to the throne after a period of instability and infighting within the Chagatai Khanate, characterized by the decline of centralized Mongol power and the rise of Turkic tribal influences. His reign was largely defined by continued attempts to consolidate his authority amidst these challenges.

While Yesun Temur sought to reassert Khanate control, his actual power remained somewhat limited, especially in the eastern regions of the realm, where various Turkic amirs and factions operated with considerable autonomy. His rule was marked by ongoing political maneuvering and struggles against these competing powers.

Historical accounts of Yesun Temur's reign are relatively scarce and often contradictory, making a definitive assessment of his policies and achievements difficult. He is generally viewed as a transitional figure in the decline of the Chagatai Khanate, rather than a strong or transformative leader. His death in 1342 further contributed to the fragmentation of the Khanate. He was succeeded by Muhammad I ibn Pulad.