Mahmud Ghazan (original Mongol name: Ghazan Khan, b. November 5, 1271 – d. May 11, 1304), was the seventh ruler of the Mongol empire's Ilkhanate division in Iran from 1295 to 1304. November 5 is the 309th day of the year (310th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 56 days remaining. ... For broader historical context, see 1270s and 13th century. ... May 11 is the 131st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (132nd in leap years). ... Events 20 July - Fall of Stirling Castle: Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold in the Wars of Scottish Independence. ... Expansion of the Mongol Empire Another picture of Mongol Empire The Mongol Empire (Mongolian: Их Монгол Улс, literally meaning Greater Mongol Nation; 1206–1405) was the largest contiguous land empire in history, covering over 33 million km² [1] (12 million square miles) at its peak, with an estimated population of over 100 million... Khanates of Mongolian Empire: Il-Khanate, Chagatai Khanate, Empire of the Great Khan (Yuan Dynasty), Golden Horde The Ilkhanate (also spelled Il-khanate or Il Khanate) was one of the four divisions within the Mongol Empire. ... Events Mongol leader Ghazan Khan is converted to Islam, ending a line of Tantric Buddhist leaders. ... Events 20 July - Fall of Stirling Castle: Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold in the Wars of Scottish Independence. ...

Ghazan was the son of Arghun Khan and a Christian mother^{[citation needed]}. During his youth, together with his brother Oljeitu, he followed Buddhism, which was the dominant religion in the Mongol empire during its early times. Arghun Khan (c. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Öljeitü, Muslim name Mohammad Khudabanda (1280 - December 16, 1316, in Soltaniyeh, near Kazvin), was the eighth Ilkhanate ruler in Iran, reigned from 1304 to 1316. ... Buddhism is a dharmic, non-theistic religion and a philosophy. ...

In 1292, however, under the advice of the Rashid al-Din^{[citation needed]}, Ghazan converted to Sunni Islam. Along with his conversion, Ghazan changed his first name to the Arab name Mahmud. Rashid al-Din Tabib also Rashid ad-Din Fadhlullah Hamadani (1247 - 1318), was a Persian physician, writer and historian, who wrote an enormous Islamic history volume, the Jami al-Tawarikh, in the Persian language. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... Islam (Arabic:  ) is a monotheistic religion based upon the teachings of Muhammad, a 7th century Arab religious and political figure. ...

Prior to his time, under the harsh reign of the succeeding emperors after Hulegu, the Muslim majority were oppressed under the Buddhist emperors, who encouraged the flourishing of Tibetan Buddhism and Nestorianism. However, with the conversion of Ghazan, Islam rose once again, and the Buddhist and Christian counterparts were severely harassed. Hulagu Khan (also known as Hülegü, and Hulegu) (1217–8 February 1265) was a Mongol ruler who conquered much of Southwest Asia. ... Tibetan Buddhism (Simplified Chinese: 藏传佛教) is the body of religious Buddhist doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet, the Himalayan region (including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim and Ladakh), Mongolia, Buryatia, Tuva and Kalmykia (Russia), and northeastern China (Manchuria: Heilongjiang, Jilin). ... Nestorianism is the doctrine that Jesus exists as two persons, the man Jesus and the divine Son of God, or Logos, rather than as a unified person. ...

After annexating power from Baydu in 1295, Ghazan mercilessly destroyed Buddhist temples and chased Buddhists out of his dominion or converted them to Islam. The Christians were also severely affected. Yet despite his conversion, due to his cultural roots, Ghazan encouraged the original archaic Mongol culture to flourish. He tolerated the Shiites as well. Baydu (died in 1295), was the sixth Ilkhanate ruler in Iran. ... The Buddhist temple Wat Chiang Man, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which dates from the late 13th century Buddhist temples and monasteries, sorted by location. ... Honorary guard of Mongolia. ... Shiʻa Islam (Arabic شيعى follower; English has traditionally used Shiite) makes up the second largest sect of believers in Islam, constituting about 30%–35% of all Muslim. ...

Ghazan died in 1304 and was succeeded by his brother Oljeitu, who continued the adoption of Islam, and later by his nephew Abu Sa'id and niece Sati Beg. His principal wife during his lifetime was Kökechin. Öljeitü, Muslim name Mohammad Khudabanda (1280 - December 16, 1316, in Soltaniyeh, near Kazvin), was the eighth Ilkhanate ruler in Iran, reigned from 1304 to 1316. ... Abu Said (1316 - 1335; also Abusaid Bahador Khan, Abu Sayed Behauder), was the ninth ruler of the Ilkhanate state in Iran. ... Sati Beg (d. ...

Baydu (died in 1295), was the sixth Ilkhanate ruler in Iran. ... The Ilkhanate (also spelled Il-khanate or Il Khanate) was one of the four divisions within the Mongol Empire. ... Events Mongol leader Ghazan Khan is converted to Islam, ending a line of Tantric Buddhist leaders. ... Events 20 July - Fall of Stirling Castle: Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold in the Wars of Scottish Independence. ... Öljeitü (1280 - December 16, 1316, in Soltaniyeh, near Kazvin), was the eight Ilkhanate ruler in Iran, resigned from 1304 to 1316. ...

See also

• Timeline of Buddhism (see 1295 AD)