The world in
What happened in 1221?
9 events across 4 world regions, each with its sources.
Central Asian steppe
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Mongol invasions and conquestsAfter the founding of the Mongol Empire in the early 13th century, Genghis Khan and his descendants launched a series of expansion wars across Eurasia, creating the largest contiguous land empire in history within a century and profoundly reshaping the political landscape of Eurasia.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Sayf al-Vâhidî. Hérât. Afghanistan / Public domain ↗
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Mongol invasion of Khwarazmian EmpireBetween 1219 and 1221, Genghis Khan led the Mongol forces in the invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire in Central Asia. The campaign, triggered by failed diplomacy and trade, resulted in widespread devastation and atrocities. It marked the completion of the Mongol conquest of Central Asia and began the Mongol conquest of Persia.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Arab League at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
- Mongol Conquest of Central Asia
In the early 13th century, the Mongol Empire began its conquest of Central Asia after Genghis Khan pursued rival tribes into the region. The Uyghur kingdom and Karluk leaders submitted voluntarily, and Qara Khitai was destroyed by 1218. A major campaign against the Khwarazmian Empire resulted in the conquest of all its territories by 1221.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
East Asia
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Mongol conquest of China beginsIn the early 13th century, the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan initiated small-scale raids into Western Xia in 1205 and 1207, marking the beginning of a decades-long conquest of China. The conflict later escalated into full-scale campaigns against various Chinese dynasties.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Sayf al-Vâhidî. Hérât. Afghanistan / Public domain ↗
- Outbreak of the Mongol–Jin War
In 1211, Genghis Khan's Mongol Empire launched a war against the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty. The conflict lasted more than twenty years, involving several Mongol commanders, and ended in 1234 with the Mongol conquest of the Jin dynasty, achieved with the assistance of the Southern Song. This completed the Mongol conquest of northern China.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Sayf al-Vâhidî. Hérât. Afghanistan / Public domain ↗
Founding of Yue Fei TempleThe Yue Fei Temple was founded at the southern foot of Qixia Hill near West Lake in Hangzhou, to honor the Song general Yue Fei. The site incorporates his tomb, and is thus also known as Yue's Tomb.
Europe
Burgos Cathedral (c. 13th century)Burgos Cathedral is a Catholic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary located in Burgos, Spain. Gothic in style, it is notable for its large scale and distinctive architecture, and houses numerous works of art, making it a museum of European Gothic sculpture.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: José Ligero Loarte / CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
Construction of the Torre del OroAround the early 13th century, the Almohad Caliphate erected a dodecagonal military watchtower on the banks of the Guadalquivir River in Seville to control water traffic and protect treasure ships returning from the Americas. It later became known as the Torre del Oro.
West Asia
Launch of the First CrusadeIn November 1095, Pope Urban II officially called for Christians to take up arms and reconquer Jerusalem at the Council of Clermont, launching the First Crusade and inaugurating a series of crusades that continued until 1291. The call promised spiritual rewards, and the success led to the establishment of four Crusader states in the Levant.
Around 1221
These are known only to the century, not to the year. They are listed separately so a rough date is never mistaken for an exact one.
- Carving of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
- Founding of Konark Sun Temple
- Founding of Roskilde Cathedral
- Construction of Naumburg Cathedral begins
- Construction of the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
- Founding of the Royal Abbey of Saint-Remi
- Jurchen invasion of Song and Jin–Song Wars
- Foundation of Buda Castle