#ilkhanate

[baebeylik]

Casket with Design of Animal, Vegetal, and Geometric Motifs. Persian, Ilkhanid period. First half of the 14th Century CE.

Saint Louis Art Museum.

[city-of-ladies]

A Mongol princess, El Qutlugh (fl. 14th century) was both a fierce warrior and a proud, independent woman. Her pilgrimage to Mecca left a strong impression on her contemporaries.

Warrior princess

El Qutlugh was the daughter of Abaqa Khan, the second ruler of the Ilkhanate, a Mongol successor state. Highly respected among her people, she was known for her bravery. She was an accomplished warrior and horsewoman, as well as a devout Muslim.

When her husband Ghubarti died, El Qutlugh refused to let his murder go unpunished. She rode out alone, confronted the killer, beheaded him and hung his head from her horse’s collar. She relinquished it only after receiving a royal order. Her actions recall those of another courageous Ilkhanid princess, Könchek, who fought with such bravery in 1319 that she was immortalized after falling in battle.

Exchange with the Mamluks

El Qutlugh refused to remarry and maintained her independent way of life. In keeping with the tradition of Mongol royal women’s political involvement, she remained active in court intrigues and rivalries.

Before 1310, she began corresponding with the Mamluk Sultanate, then an enemy of the Ilkhanate. She may have advocated for peace and wished to advise them on how to establish better relations with her people. This correspondence was also likely motivated by her desire to make the Hajj.

Mamluk commander al-Afram approached El Qutlugh with a marriage proposal, offering her Homs and its surrounding lands as a wedding gift. She refused, asserting her rank and dignity:  “How does al-Afram dare [to approach] me? Who is al-Afram? My most insignificant horse groom is like al-Afram.”

A princess makes the Hajj

In 1323, El Qutlugh finally set out on the Hajj to Mecca. The sight of her deeply impressed those who witnessed it. Mamluk author al-Safadi recorded a striking description:

"I was undertaking the hajj that same year and I saw that she was a woman deemed worthy among men for her resoluteness, decisiveness and honour. She had on her the expression of greatness and the gracefulness of majesty. She gave great sums of money to charity and it is said that she gave to charity in the two holy places (Mecca and Medina) thirty thousand dinars.”

A skilled huntress, El Qutlugh rode with a quiver at her waist and frequently hunted along the way, affirming her identity through the Mongol royal hunting tradition. It is also worth noting that the Mamluks were well aware of Mongol warrior women. In Damascus, the governor of Syria received her with full honours.

El Qutlugh’s story offers a fascinating glimpse into the religious and political landscape of her time, as well as the life of a powerful royal woman.

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Further reading: 

Brack Yoni, “A Mongol Princess Making hajj: The Biography of El Qutlugh Daughter of Abagha Ilkhan (r. 1265–82)”

Wilson Jack R., “The Mongol Wrestler Princess: The Story of Qutulun”

[whencyclopedia]

Mongol Empire's Rise and Reach

The Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan in 1206, grew into the largest contiguous land empire in history. Known for its unstoppable cavalry and strategic warfare, it stretched from the Black Sea deep into Asia, reshaping the connections between East and West. Although it eventually fragmented and faded by 1368, its influence on trade, culture, and diplomacy was profound.

Power of a United Nomadic Force

Genghis Khan united the nomadic tribes of the Asian steppe, forging a fearsome army prized for its speed, archery, and coordination. This army conquered vast territories including Iran, Russia, Eastern Europe, and China. His successors split the empire into four khanates, with the Yuan Dynasty in China, founded by Kublai Khan, being the most dominant.

Cultural Transformation and Decline

Over time, the Mongols adapted to the societies they ruled, converting to religions like Tibetan Buddhism and Islam. This cultural shift corresponded with a loss of their military edge. Internal conflicts weakened the empire, leading to its fall in the late 14th century.

Key Facts

Founded: 1206 by Genghis Khan

Peak: Controlled territory from the Black Sea to Korea

Military: Fast cavalry, expert horse archers, coordinated tactics

Division: Empire split into four khanates, including the Yuan Dynasty in China

Religion: Converted from shamanism to Buddhism or Islam over time

Legacy: Connected East and West through expanded trade routes and diplomacy

Historical Context

The Mongol Empire emerged from Mongolia’s fragmented nomadic tribes into a unified force under Genghis Khan in the early 13th century. This period was marked by declining powers in the Middle East, Europe, and China, enabling the Mongols’ rapid expansion.

Historical Significance

While the Mongols did not leave behind grand monuments or lasting political institutions, they revolutionized global interaction. Their empire connected Eurasia, stimulating trade, cultural exchanges, and travel between distant lands for the first time on such a scale. This set the stage for future global connectivity and exchange of ideas.

Learn More: Mongol Empire

[gazavadname]

Iskander's Iron Cavalry, Ilkhans 14th c.

[along-the-silkroad]

Ghaznavid sultan Mahmud (r. 998-1030 CE) and his forces attacking the fortress of Zaranj in 1003 CE. Jami al-Tawarikh, 1314 CE. Jāmiʿ al-Tawārīkh (lit. 'The Compendium of Chronicles') is a work of literature and history, produced in the Mongol Ilkhanate. Written by Rashid al-Din Hamadani (1247–1318 CE) at the start of the 14th century, the breadth of coverage of the work has caused it to be called "the first world history". It was in three volumes and published in Arabic and Persian versions.

[hindsart]

[artist-of-unknow-orgin]

The Mongol empire accidentally becoming another Chinese dynasty

[gorasgwyrn]

Local game store finally got the basic rules box in stock. Tried to divide the mechs fairly evenly between Ilkhanate and Red Keshik. I also got myself a binder to conveniently carry my cards and record sheets around.