The Image of the Mongols and Their Invasion of the Islamic World through the Book Tārīkh-i Jahānkushā by ʿAṭā Malik al-Juwaynī (d. 681 AH / 1283 CE)
Keywords:
Mongols,, Tārīkh-i Jahānkushā, Abbasid Caliphate,, Mongol InvasionAbstract
This study examines the image of the Mongols and their invasion of the Islamic world as presented in Tārīkh-i Jahānkushā by ʿAṭā Malik al-Juwaynī, one of the most important contemporary sources on the Mongol conquests. The significance of this work lies in the fact that al-Juwaynī was closely associated with the Mongol administration, which provided him with direct access to political and military events, but at the same time raises questions about the objectivity of his narrative.
The research analyzes al-Juwaynī’s depiction of the Mongols, focusing on their military organization, political structure, and methods of expansion, as well as their impact on major Islamic cities such as Bukhara, Samarkand, Merv, Nishapur, and Baghdad. It also examines the nature of the Mongol invasion, highlighting both its destructive consequences—such as mass killings, urban devastation, and the collapse of major political entities—and its administrative outcomes, including the establishment of new systems of governance.
Furthermore, the study provides a comparative analysis between al-Juwaynī and other historians, particularly Ibn al-Athīr and Ibn Kathīr, in order to identify differences in perspective, narrative style, and historical interpretation. While al-Juwaynī tends to present a more structured and at times less condemnatory account, Ibn al-Athīr emphasizes the catastrophic and unprecedented nature of the invasion, and Ibn Kathīr offers a later, more interpretive perspective that connects the events to internal weaknesses within the Islamic world.
The study concludes that although Tārīkh-i Jahānkushā is a fundamental source for understanding the Mongol expansion, it must be approached critically and in comparison with other sources to achieve a more balanced and accurate historical understanding.
For the purposes of historical research, it was necessary to divide the study into several themes and sections. The first section is entitled: “ʿAṭā Malik al-Juwaynī: His Life, Upbringing, and Methodology in Writing Mongol History.” The second section examines “The Image of the Mongols in al-Juwaynī’s Work.” The third section is devoted to “The Mongol Invasion of the Islamic World through Tārīkh-i Jahānkushā.” The fourth section discusses “The Effects and Consequences of the Mongol Invasion as Presented in Tārīkh-i Jahānkushā.” Finally, the fifth section concludes with a “Critical Study of Tārīkh-i Jahānkushā.”
References
1- ابن كثير، البداية والنهاية، ج13، دار الفكر، بيروت، 1986.
2- الجويني، عطا ملك، تاريخ فاتح العالم جهان كشاي، ج1-3 ، تحقيق محمد بن عبد الوهاب القزويني، دار الكتاب العربي، بيروت، 2000.
ثانيا: المراجع
1- الزركلي، الأعلام، ج5، دار العلم للملايين، بيروت، 2002.
2- الصياد، فؤاد عبد المعطي، المغول في التاريخ، دار النهضة العربية، بيروت، 1980.
ثالثا: الدوريات
1- العيدي، إخلاص محمد سليمان، "عطا ملك الجويني ومنهجه في كتابة تاريخ جهان كشاي"، مجلة كان التاريخية، العدد20، 2013.
2- مهدي ومحمد، حيدر حسوني وعبير عبد الرسول، اثر جنكيز خان في تأسيس الدولة المغولية (603ه/1205م)، مجلة الباحث، جامعة كربلاء،مج43، العدد1/2، 2024.
3- ناسي، رياض حميد هبر، السلطة والنفوذ واثرهما في الاستئثار بالحكم في الدولة الايلخانية654-736ه/1256-1336م، مجلة اكليل للدراسات الانسانية، الجمعية العلمية للمخطوطات، بغداد، مج5، العدد18، 2024.
4- محمود وقادر، زياد علاء ونزار محمد ، المقومات الاساسية التي قامت عليها دولة وحكومة المغول على عهد جنكيز خان(603-624ه/1205-1226م)، مجلة اداب الرافدين، كلية الاداب، جامعة الموصل، مج52، العدد1، 2022.
5- الدعامي، غفران محمد عزيز، نظرية البطل التاريخي-جنكيز خان انموذجا-، مجلة ابحاث ميسان، جامعة ميسان، مج19، العدد37، 2023.
6- محسن، كاظم شامخ، علاء الدين الجويني ودوره في الحياة السياسية والفكرية ومنهجه في كتابه جهان كشاي(فاتح العالم)، مجلة الذكوات البيض، دائرة البحوث والدراسات، ديوان الوقف الشيعي، بغداد، مج1 ، العدد15، 2025.
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List of Sources and References
First: Sources
Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya, Vol. 13, Dar al-Fikr, Beirut, 1986.
Ata-Malik al-Juwayni, Tarikh Jahangushay, Vol. 1, Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi, Beirut, 2000.
Ata-Malik al-Juwayni, Tarikh Jahangushay, Vol. 2, Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi, Beirut, 2000.
Ata-Malik al-Juwayni, Tarikh Jahangushay, Vol. 3, Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi, Beirut, 2000.
Second: References
Al-Zarkali, Al-A'lam, Vol. 5, Dar al-Ilm lil-Malayin, Beirut, 2002.
Fouad Abdel-Moati al-Sayyad, Al-Mughal fi al-Tarikh, Dar al-Nahda al-Arabiyya, Beirut, 1980.
Third: Periodicals
Ikhlas Muhammad Sulaiman al-Aidi, "Ata-Malik al-Juwayni and His Methodology in Writing Tarikh Jahangushay," Kan al-Tarikhiya Magazine, Issue 20, 2013.
Haidar Hassouni Mahdi and Abeer Abdel-Rasoul Muhammad, The Impact of Genghis Khan on the Founding of the Mongol State (603 AH/1205 AD), Al-Bahith Journal, University of Karbala, Vol. 43, No. 1/2, 2024.
Riyadh Hamid Habr Nasi, Power and Influence and Their Impact on Monopolizing Rule in the Ilkhanate State (654-736 AH/1256-1336 AD), Ikleel Journal for Humanistic Studies, Scientific Society for Manuscripts, Baghdad, Vol. 5, No. 18, 2024.
Ziyad Alaa Mahmoud and Nizar Muhammad Qadir, The Basic Foundations Upon Which the Mongol State and Government Were Established During the Reign of Genghis Khan (603-624 AH/1205-1226 AD), Adab Al-Rafidain Journal, College of Arts, University of Mosul, Vol. 52, No. 1, 2022.
Ghufran Muhammad Aziz Al-Daami, The Theory of the Historical Hero - Genghis Khan as a Model, Maysan Research Journal, University of Maysan, Vol. 19, No. 37, 2023.
Kadhim Shamikh Muhsin, Ala' al-Din al-Juwayni and His Role in Political and Intellectual Life and His Methodology in His Book Jahan-i Kishay (The Conqueror of the World), Al-Dhakawat al-Bayd Journal, Research and Studies Department, Shiite Endowment Bureau, Baghdad, Vol. 1, No. 15, 2025.
Huda Yassin Jawad et al., A New Reading of the Military Establishment in the Era of Genghis Khan: Between Recruitment and Organization, Journal of Human Sciences, University of Babylon, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2025.
