USBECK AND THE PROVINCE OF KIPTCIIAK. 383 Eastern part of his empire, where he died in 1317, and was succeeded by his son Abou-Sa'id. II. Abou-Sa'id was only twelve years old when he as- cended the throne, and one of the first dignitaries of the kingdom had charge of the regency and the education of the young prince, who afterwards, when he assumed the reins of government, had to carry on many wars against his neighbours. The most formidable of his enemies was Usbeck, a descendant of the family of Tchinguiz-Khan, and governor of the province of Kip- tchak.* Usbeck was no friend to the Christians ; he persecuted them, and forbade the missionaries to preach the gospel in his dominions, whilst he favoured the sectaries of Mahomet, whose worship he had adopted. " He caused," says Aboulghazi, " Mahometan ism to be introduced into all the provinces under his authority, which so con- ciliated the affections of his subjects, that, to give him a public mark of their devotion, they all assumed the name of Usbeck, which they have ever since retained ; for before the reign of Usbeck-Khan, they were never known under that designation. f The Mussulmans, strong in the support and protec- tion of the sovereign, were continually contriving a thousand modes of harassing the Christians, who, until then, had enjoyed much liberty. They declared war against their bells, and persuaded Usbeck that their
- It is from this country that the people called in Europe Kosaks
or Cossacks, liave proceeded. f Aboulghazi, Hist. Generate ties Tatars, p. 457.
