Ilkhanate

The Ilkhanate was one of the four major divisions of the Mongol Empire, established in the 13th century in parts of present-day Iran, Iraq, and surrounding regions. Founded by Hulagu Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan, it served as a Mongol state that blended Mongol and Persian cultures. The Ilkhanate was significant for promoting trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of ideas between East and West. It played a crucial role in the history of the region until it fragmented in the 14th century due to internal strife and external pressures.