Sara Khatun

Sara Khatun (Azerbaijani: Sara xatun) – was a diplomat of Aq Qoyunlu state, and Uzun Hassan’s mother. Franz Babinger speculates that she was an Aramaic Christian who had grown up near Diyarbakir.

Diplomatic activity

Sara Khatun was a skilful diplomat and namely for that Uzun Hassan sent her as a leader of ambassadors for the purpose of regulating disputed issues.

Discussions with Mehmed II, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire were especially successful.

Discussions with Mehmed II

The first discussions with Mehmed II were held in 1463, in Goyluhisar. There she could make peace, according to which Uzun Hassan promised not to impede seizure of Trebzond by the Ottoman Turks, and Turks had to leave the territory of the Aq Qoyunlu. She even could persuade the Sultan that the treasury of Trebizond should belong to his bride – Despine Khatun, princess of Trabzon and to bring this wealth to a palace of her son.

During these discussions Mehmed II and Sara Khatun called each other "mother" and "son". For example, during Trabzon discussions Sara Khatun said Mehmed II that:

Sara Khatun also helped the last Traizunite Emperor by providing him and his family with freedom. She took his promise not to disturb the emperor and his family taking advantage of her good relations with Mehmed II. And Mehmed II redeemed his promise, given to Sara Khatun: the Emperor and his children and young nephew Aleksey were graciously accepted by Sultan and were sent to Constantinople on a special ship with courtiers and all private property, except piles of jewelry which were given to Sara Khatun as a reward for her polite intermediation.

Other discussions

Sara Khatun also was sent to the Timurid ruler Abu Said for discussions, but these discussions were unsuccessful.