I have just been reading how Toloi, son of Chengis Khan and Father of Kublai Khan slaughtered about 1 million Muslim inhabitants of Merv (Turkemenistan) in a matter of few days. Kublai Khan became buddhist and that is the reason for the spread of buddhism in china and surrounding areas. I have also heard of how the mongol (chinese) invaders caused immense damage to the rising Islamic empire in the 12th century. Does someone have a good history reference that covers that period, especially from the muslim viewpoint (or a muslim historian).
There was a documentary by PBS "Islam, Empire of faith" with some background on the subject. The Mongols hit the Islamic world when it was at its peak this was around the 13th century. Lead by the Great Genghis Khan in 1220 they destroyed Samarkand, Bukhara, Russia, Europe and N. Iran. Latter Hulagu Khan destroyed Baghdad and put an end to once mighty Abbasid Empire. From Baghdad the Mongols marched on to Syria and Egypt where they finaly met their match the great Mamluks. Mamluk was a military class of Turkish origin. Militarily formidable, they were also the first power to defeat the Mongols in open combat when, in 1260, the Mongols moved against Palestine and Egypt. Alerted by a chain of signal fires stretching from Iraq to Egypt, the Mamluks were able to marshal their forces in time to meet, and crush, the Mongols at 'Ayn Jalut near Nazareth in Palestine.
But with all this destruction there was some blessing in disguise. The same Barbarians after their defeat converted to Islam and from great destroyers became great builders (eg. Taj Mahal). During this period the Mongols built mosques and schools and patronized scholarship of all sorts They also brought gun powder and paper to the Islamic world that helped excel Turkish empire under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent.
Politically and economically, the Mongol invasions were disastrous. Some regions never fully recovered.
Thank you, Abdali. I intend to educate myself on this part of history. Again reference or translations or books on this topic from anyone will be greatly appreciated.
Islam, Empire of Faith:- http://www.pbs.org/empires/islam/
GENGHIS KHAN, THE MONGOLS AND ASIA, TO 1300:- http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h11mon.htm
I would recommend as required reading, the Road to Kabul, and Philip Hittis book on the Arabs.
Central Asia was for a long time the centre of Islamic culture, the Mongols wiped it out with devastationg effect. it is said the river euphrates was red with blood for a long time after the sack of Baghdad. The last Abbasid Khalifah was wrapped in a carpet and horses were made to run over him. While in Samrkan and Bokhara I beleive one Governor of a city had molten iron poured into his ears.
If it hadn't been for a accident of history the mongols were well on their way to taking all of Western Europe at one time.
zakk now mongolia is a peaceful country
rarely makes news and afgans once raided
india raided by all.