What is "baydu"

Baydu (also spelled Baidu (Байду)) (died 1295) was the sixth ruler of the Mongol empire's Ilkhanate division in Iran. He was the son of Taraqai, who was in turn the fifth son of Hulagu Khan. He succeeded his cousin Gaykhatu as khan of the Ilkhanate state in 1295.

Gaykhatu had been killed by a group of conspirators led by Taghachar, a commander in the Mongol army, who then placed Baydu in power. Baydu was considered easygoing and controllable, and under him, the Ilkhanate was divided among the co-conspirators.

Baydu had strong sympathies to Christianity, but was required to act outwardly as a Muslim. According to Saunders in Mongol Conquests, Baydu allowed churches on his ordo and wore a cross around his neck. He was urged by his followers to rid himself of Ghazan, the son of Arghun Khan, but refused out of affection. However, his followers gradually deserted him, in part because of the intrigues of Emir Nauruz. Ghazan made war on Baydu, marching with a Muslim army from Khorasan. Baydu attempted to escape and flee from Azerbaijan to Georgia, but was taken prisoner near Nakhichevan after being defeated in battle. After only five months in power he was taken to Tabriz and executed on the 5 October 1295, ending the civil war with his successor Mahmud Ghazan.