"If you’re afraid, don’t do it.
However, if you’re doing it, don’t be afraid". - Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan (1162–1227 AD) and Mongols are invariably associated with terrible tales of conquest, destruction, and bloodshed. This famed clan leader and his immediate successors created the largest empire ever to exist, spanning entire Asian continent from Pacific Ocean to modern-day Hungary in Europe. Such an empire could not have been shaped without visionary leadership, superior organizational skills, swiftest and most resilient cavalry ever known, an army of superb archers (“devil’s horsemen” in Western sources), existence of politically weakened states across Asia and of course, havoc and devastation.

Yet, legacy of Genghis Khan, his sons, and grandsons is also one of cultural development, artistic achievement, a courtly way of life, and an entire continent united under so-called Pax Mongolica (Mongolian Peace). Few people realize that Yuan Dynasty in China (1271–1368 AD) is part of Genghis Khan’s legacy through its founder, his grandson Khubilai Khan (r. 1260-1295 AD). Mongol empire was at its largest two generations after Genghis Khan and was divided into four main branches, Yuan (empire of Great Khan) being central and most important. Other Mongol states were the Chagatai khanate in Central Asia (1227–1363 AD), Golden Horde in southern Russia extending into Europe (1227–1502 AD), and Ilkhanid Dynasty in Greater Iran (1256–1353 AD).

Mongols were remarkably quick in transforming themselves from a purely nomadic tribal people into rulers of cities and states and in learning how to administer their vast empire. They readily adopted system of administration of conquered states, placing a handful of Mongols in top positions but allowing former local officials to run everyday affairs. This clever system allowed them to control each city and province but also to be in touch with population through their administrators. Seat of Great Khanate in Dadu (Beijing) was center of empire, with all its pomp and ceremony, whereas three semi-independent Central and western Asian domains of Chagatai, Golden Horde, and Ilkhanids were connected through an intricate network that crisscrossed continent. Horses, once a reliable instrument of war and conquest, now made swift communication possible, carrying written messages through a relay system of stations. A letter sent by emperor in Beijing and carried by an envoy wearing his paiza, or passport, could reach the Ilkhanid capital Tabriz, some 5,000 miles away, in about a month.

The political unification of Asia under the Mongols resulted in active trade and the transfer and resettlement of artists and craftsmen along the main routes. New influences were thus integrated with established local artistic traditions. By middle of 13th Century AD, Mongols had formed largest contiguous empire in the world, uniting Chinese, Islamic, Iranian, Central Asian and nomadic cultures within an overarching Mongol sensibility.

Genghis Khan’s grandson Hülegü (d. 1265 AD) subdued Iran in 1256 AD, and conquered Baghdad, capital of ‘Abbasid caliphate, in 1258 AD. Hülegü’s Dynasty, the Ilkhanids or Lesser Khans, ruled this area, called Greater Iran, until about 1353 AD. After their rapid gain of power in Muslim world, Mongol Ilkhanids nominally reported to Great Khan of Yuan Dynasty in China and in process imported Chinese models to better define their tastes. However, new rulers were greatly impressed by long-established traditions of Iran, with its prosperous urban centers and thriving economy and they quickly assimilated local culture. Mongol influence on Iranian and Islamic culture gave birth to an extraordinary period in Islamic art that combined well-established traditions with new visual language transmitted from eastern Asia.

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