Imran Shah (Premysloides Dynasty)

Imran Shah
Imran Shah was Roman military commander and first military governor of Imperial Province of Caucasus, serving under Emperors Arcadius II, Valerianus II and Valerianus III in second half of 14th century and early 15th century.

He was responsible for successfull conquest and stabilization, anti-guerilla actions and building internal security of newly formed province.

While most of his career he was known primary for his military victories and campaign in Caucasus, he was also successfull mayor of Poti, two times elected and last five years of his life, he was Valerianus III First Consul of Imperial Senate.

He was close friend of Ibn Khaldun and in Poti and subprovince Adjaria, he implemented Ibn Khaldun economic policy and transformed small city with 1,200 citizens in to large port city with 17,000 citizens.

Early life
He was son of Constantine Shah, formerly known as Abdul al-Fattah Yusuf Shah, philosopher and physician from Mamluk Sultanate, who left sultanate for Roman Empire in 1330.

Imran mother is not known, according some sources, he was son of prostitute/lover of his father, but his father fully accepted him as his son and heir.

In 1348, Imran joined military training course to start early military career. No informations about his training and activities during 1348-1358 exist. In 1360, he married German Jewish banker and money-lender Hanna van Recklinghausen, who emigrated to Roman Empire.

Warrior Philosopher
Imran Shah was avid admirer of Marcus Aurelius and Roman military strategist and philosophers. He also studied Greek neoplatonism and late paganism and in 1372, he converted in to semi-legal Hellenistic Paganism.

In that time, he was already imperial warrior, as he commanded garrison of 500 troops near Trabizond. From own initiative, he recruited local farmers for Imperial Military and participated on improving security conditions in rural area. He formed local militia and cooperated with Trabizond mayor.

Arcadius Imperial Campaign of Caucasus
Imran Shah was staunch loyalist and admirer of young and capable Arcadius II. He called him "Great warrior king!", "Rulling by iron, gold and justice!" and "Fighting side by side with his brothers in arms!"

Imran Shah was appointed to position of mercenary commander. He led mercenaries participating on Arcadius campaign in Caucasus in 1376-1379 and was close collaborator with Marius Palaiologos.

Imran Shah conquered Batumi, Abkhazia, besieged and conquered Tbilisi and participated on ambush of Georgian Army near Kutaisi. After fall of Tbilisi and Georgia, he was assigned to restore order and law in occupied territories, while campaign itself continued in Armenia and Azerbaijan.