Which Mongol leader lead the attack of Baghdad in 13th century?

Hulagu Khan, a grandson of the legendary Genghis Khan, stands as the Mongol leader responsible for the devastating assault on Baghdad in the 13th century. This pivotal event, occurring in 1258, marked the brutal end of the Abbasid Caliphate and is widely regarded as a symbolic close to the Islamic Golden Age. Hulagu's campaign was part of a broader Mongol expansion westward, aiming to solidify their control over vast territories in Western Asia.

Before the Mongol invasion, Baghdad had flourished for centuries as the intellectual, cultural, and political heart of the Islamic world. Founded in 762 CE, it was home to the famed House of Wisdom, a renowned center where scholars translated, preserved, and advanced knowledge in various fields, from medicine to astronomy (Deals). However, by the 13th century, the Abbasid Caliphate's power had waned, and its defenses were insufficient. When Hulagu demanded surrender, Caliph al-Musta'sim, overconfident in Baghdad's prestige and divine protection, refused, a decision that proved to be a fatal miscalculation.

Hulagu Khan's army, a formidable force, laid siege to Baghdad in January 1258. The Mongols quickly breached the city's fortifications using advanced siege technology. After the city surrendered on February 10, a week of unimaginable destruction followed. Accounts describe the widespread massacre of citizens, the burning of neighborhoods, and the irreparable loss of countless precious manuscripts from libraries, including the House of Wisdom, which were reportedly thrown into the Tigris River. The Caliph himself was executed, bringing an end to a dynasty that had ruled for over 500 years.

The fall of Baghdad under Hulagu Khan's leadership had profound and lasting consequences. It not only shattered the political and cultural center of the Islamic world but also led to a significant shift in Islamic influence towards Cairo. While the city eventually recovered, its former glory as a beacon of learning and power was never fully restored. Hulagu went on to establish the Ilkhanate in Persia, marking a new chapter in the region's history and leaving an indelible scar on the collective memory of the Islamic world.