Ghazan

Ghazan (1271-1304), also known as Mahmud Ghazan, was the seventh Ilkhan, ruling over the Mongol Empire's Ilkhanate from 1295 to 1304. He is most notable for converting to Islam in 1295, marking a turning point in the history of the Ilkhanate, which had previously been largely Buddhist or Christian.

Ghazan was the son of Arghun, the Ilkhan who preceded him. Before becoming Ilkhan, Ghazan governed Khorasan. He faced initial resistance to his conversion, but ultimately secured the support of the Mongol aristocracy and the wider population. His conversion led to the Ilkhanate adopting Islam as the state religion and the subsequent persecution of Buddhists and Christians within its borders.

Ghazan's reign was characterized by significant administrative, economic, and military reforms. He sought to stabilize the Ilkhanate after decades of internal strife and external wars. He introduced a uniform currency, standardized weights and measures, and reorganized the tax system. Ghazan also encouraged agriculture and trade, leading to a period of relative prosperity.

Militarily, Ghazan is remembered for his campaigns against the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt in Syria. Despite several attempts, Ghazan was unable to conquer Syria from the Mamluks, facing defeats at the Battle of Wadi al-Khazandar (also known as the Battle of the Third Battle of Homs) in 1299 and other engagements.

Ghazan was a patron of the arts and sciences. He was fluent in several languages, including Persian, Arabic, Mongolian, and Latin. He possessed a deep interest in history, science, and the arts, and his court became a center of intellectual activity. Rashid-al-Din Hamadani, the vizier of Ghazan, compiled the Jami al-Tarawikh ("Compendium of Chronicles"), a monumental work of universal history, under Ghazan's patronage.

Ghazan died in 1304 at the age of 32 or 33, possibly from illness. He was succeeded by his brother, Oljeitu. Ghazan's reign is considered a high point in the history of the Ilkhanate, marked by his conversion to Islam, his administrative reforms, and his patronage of culture and learning.