🏹 ISLAMIC MONGOL EMPIRES

When the Mongol Empire was first founded under Genghis Khan (1206–1227), the Mongols were not Muslims. But over the next generations, many branches of the Mongol Empire converted to Islam and created powerful Islamic Mongol states.

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1. Ilkhanate (1256–1353)

• Founded by Hulagu Khan (grandson of Genghis Khan).
• Based in Persia (Iran, Iraq, Anatolia).
• Officially converted to Islam under Mahmud Ghazan Khan (1295–1304).
• Became a major Islamic empire in the Middle East.

2. Golden Horde (1240–1502)

• Founded by Batu Khan (grandson of Genghis Khan).
• Covered Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan.
• First Muslim ruler: Berke Khan (1257–1266), who accepted Islam.
• Islam spread widely through the Horde’s influence.

3. Chagatai Khanate (1220–1687)

• Territory: Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Xinjiang-China).
• Early rulers followed Mongol traditions, but later Tarmashirin Khan (1326–1334) converted to Islam.
• After this, the khanate gradually became an Islamic state.

4. Moghulistan (1347–1680)

• A branch of the Chagatai Khanate.
• Based in Xinjiang, Kashgar, Kyrgyzstan.
• Known as the “Eastern Mongols,” their rulers were mostly Muslim.

5. Timurid Empire (1370–1507)

• Founded by Timur (Tamerlane), a Turko-Mongol warlord.
• Centered in Samarkand, Herat, Persia, and parts of India.
• Timur and his dynasty were Muslim and patrons of Islamic art, science, and architecture.
• From this dynasty came the Mughal Empire in India.

6. Mughal Empire (1526–1857)

• Founded by Babur, a descendant of both Timur and Genghis Khan (through his mother).
• Ruled India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan.
• One of the greatest Islamic empires in history, famous for monuments like the Taj Mahal.

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📌 Summary

• The Mongols started as non-Muslims.
• Over time, many branches of the empire embraced Islam due to trade, marriage, and the influence of scholars.
• From this, we get six major Islamic Mongol Empires:
  1. Ilkhanate (Persia)
  2. Golden Horde (Russia–Central Asia)
  3. Chagatai Khanate (Central Asia)
  4. Moghulistan (Xinjiang, Central Asia)
  5. Timurid Empire (Persia–India)
  6. Mughal Empire (India)