AK KOYUNLU

(White Sheep)

TheAk Koyunluwas one of two rivalTurkomanfederations, or dynasties (the other being theKara Koyunlu, or Black Sheep), that ruled parts of Kurdistan during much of the 15th century after the death of the great Mongol conqueror Tamerlane in 1405. Early on, the SunniAk Koyunluhad Amed (Di-yarbakir) as their capital, while the ShiaKara Koyunluhad their center northeast of Lake Van. The Kurds did not play a major role in the armed struggles of the two.

In 1467, the ableAk Koyunluleader Uzun Hasan destroyed his rivalKara Koyunlufederation and eventually extended his power over most of Kurdistan. According to theSharafnama, Uzun Hasan then "took it upon himself to exterminate the leading families of Kurdistan, especially those who had shown themselves devoted to or subjects of the Kara Koyunlu sultans." He made his new capital in Tabriz in what is nowIran. After Uzun Hasan's death, the Iranian Safavid leader Ismail destroyed theAk Koyunluin 1502 and proclaimed himself shah.