Abdul Karim Khan (Yarkand)

Abdul Karim Khan (Chagatai and Persian: عبد الکریم خان) was the ruler of Yarkand Khanate in what is now north-west China (Xinjiang) between 1560 and 1591.

Abdul Karim Khan distributed between his brothers all the troops and gold that he inherited from his father and increased troop numbers following the failed attempt by the Barlas emirs to replace him with his brother Sufi Sultan, who ruled in Kashgar.

Contemporary Balkh historian Mahmud ibn Vali wrote in 1644 in his work " Bahr al-asrar " that: Peace and tranquillity and public security of the people of Uyghurstan was so widespread during the rule of Abdul Karim Khan that it caused envy among neighbouring countries.

During Abdul Karim Khan's reign, Khoja Iskhak Wali, 4th son of Nakshbandi sheikh Mahdum-i- Azam and founder of Sufi Order, Iskhakiyya, disciples of which were later known as Karataghliks or Black Mountaineers, came to Yarkand at the Khan's invitation.

His son Khoja Yahia ( died in 1646) succeeded him in Yarkand as a head of Khojagan Iskhakiya Sufi Order , that became by this time a powerful separate branch of Nakshbandi Sufi Order with disciples in Yarkand, Khotan, Aksu, Kuchar, Chalish up to Turpan.