Caucasus Role in Ilkhanid Relations with the Golden Horde

Caucasia land, in the course of history, has been considered as one of the strategic regions of the world. Its geopolitical importance mostly pertains to the Caucasus Mountains dividing this region into two parts: north and south. The geopolitical role of this region became prominent once more after the foundation of the Ilkhanid dynasty in Iran, in south part of the Caucasus Mountains and the Golden horde dynasty in the north, i.e. Qepchaq plain. The feudal rulers of Golden horde who, prior to the presence of the Ilkhanid, had settled in the north part of the Caucasus kept encroaching upon the south Caucasia. After the foundation of Ilkhanid dynasty, the Caucasia land was added to the possessions of Hulagu. This caused an apprehension for the feudal rulers of Golden horde. Having noticed the importance of Caucasia, the Ilkhanid rulers constructed the capital city of their monarchy in the vicinity of this region so as to prevent the occupation of the land by their rival, i.e. Golden horde rulers. This rivalry led the two emperors to adopt special policies in the bilateral or international relations. The present research, taking a historical methodology, makes an attempt to investigate some of the most important policies and measures.