After Qazaghan had taken control of the Chagatai ulus around 1346, he appointed Abdullah as governor of Samarkand.
Unlike his father, he had an active interest in the tribes of the northern part of the ulus.
Qazaghan, whose power base had been in the southern portion of the ulus, had tended to leave the northern tribes alone; Abdullah was not content to do the same.
The Barlas and Suldus tribes, both located near the city, hated the prospect of a strong Qara'unas presence in their immediate vicinity.
The victorious parties often cited Abdullah's treatment of Bayan Quli as a pretext for their revolt.