Nobleman
alternative spellings: Tarkhan, Tarkhaan, Tarqan, Tarchan, Tarxan, Tarcan or Targan.
an ancient Central Asian title used by various Indo-European (i.e. Iranian and Tokharian) and Altaic (i.e. Turkic and Mongolian) peoples, especially in the medieval era, and prominent among the successors of the Mongol Empire.
It was used among the various Iranian (Sogdians, Khotanese, and Hephthalites) and Altaic peoples (Turks and Mongols) of Central Asia and other steppe people, and was a high rank in the army of Tamerlane. Tarkhans commanded military contingents (roughly of regimental size under the Khazar khan) and were, roughly speaking, generals. They could also be assigned as military governors of conquered regions.
(Eingesendet von Yasni-Nutzer)
