1097–1231 CE
The Khwarazmian state (خوارزمشاهیان), despite the grand ambitions of its leaders, shrank by nearly half during its existence compared to the reign of the preceding dynasty.
Iran became the largest region of the empire, but in practice it was very poorly controlled — initially from Gurganj and later from Samarkand.
Key political figures of this era included:
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Il‑Arslan;
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Sultan‑Shah;
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Takash.
Foreign policy successes of the Khwarazmians — such as the conquest of most of the Seljuk Empire’s territory and successful struggles against the Ghurids and Karakhanids — did not help them withstand the new threat: the Mongols.
The Mongol invasion brought an end to Khwarazmian rule. By this time, the Mongol forces had already conquered large parts of China and established their own dynasty there — the Yuan dynasty. They then advanced westward.
This situation was skillfully exploited by one of the Baghdad caliphs, who was a rival of Khwarazmshah Jalal Ad‑Din. The caliph decided to enlist Mongol support in an attempt to seize Khwarezm.
The outcome of this confrontation was Jalal Ad‑Din’s defeat and his subsequent flight to India. As a result, Iran fell entirely under Mongol control.
In terms of culture and art, the Khwarazmian period is marked by imitation of Seljuk art. Khwarezm became the center of social and cultural life.
