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Ahmad Fanakati

Type Figure Region China Time c. 1240–1282 Also known as Ahmad Fanakati、Ahmad Banakati、Ahmat、阿合马·法纳卡提

Ahmad Fanakati (c. 1240–1282), a Persian Muslim from Central Asia introduced by Kublai's chief consort Chabi, managed finances in Kublai's household …

Timeline

  1. 1251–1260Kaiping · Inner MongoliaFrom 1251 to 1262 Ahmad entered Kublai's service through Chabi's recommendation, taking part in financial management while Kublai governed the Central Plains. After Kublai proclaimed himself khagan at Kaiping in 1260, Ahmad continued at his side, accumulating trust and practical experience for his later control of central finances.
  2. 1261–1270Yanjing · North ChinaIn 1262 Ahmad was entrusted with managing revenue, in 1264 he was promoted to vice chancellor of the Central Secretariat, and in the 1260s he implemented Zhongtong paper currency, the salt-certificate monopoly and household registration audits, greatly increasing revenue to support Kublai's civil war with Ariq Böke and subsequent unification wars. After the Department of State Affairs was established in 1270, he effectively controlled the empire's finances.

Sources