History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c6.14

c6.14

⁶ The term Qaraunah is frequently used in the history of the Ilkhans to denote a body of freebooters whose exact nationality it is not easy to decide. Von Hammer connects them with Karaun Jidun by which the Mongols knew the mountains separating the Gobi desert from China and Manchuria. One branch of the Turkish tribe settled in this country, says Von Hammer, is called Karanut by Rashid-ud-Din. D'ohsson thinks the Qaraunahs were the same as Nigudarians, but this view is doubted by Hammer and he seems to be correct. He has fallen into error because of the predatory habits of both tribes. Howorth says (III, p. 389) ‘I am not at all certain that they are not to be identified with the Kara Tartars, who are mentioned in Khorasan at the break of the power of the Ilkhans.’ The historians are indecisive but there is little doubt that the Qaraunahs were a predatory Turkish tribe.