AD 1200-1500

During this period much of Asia was dominated by the arrival of the Mongols from Central Asia who radically altered the political, artistic and social environment of the area. A series of raids from 1220-1258 in Transoxiania, Iran, and Iraq brought destruction to the area on a scale never experienced before. The vast Mongol empire extended from Korea to eastern Germany, with the centre of power at Karakorum and later Beijing. Peace prevailed over much of the area following the conquest due to the harsh punishments lawbreakers received.

In 1368 the Mongols were ousted by the Ming dynasty who strengthened and centralised imperial power. Japan suffered long periods of conflict between rival warlords and the warrior ideal of loyalty, strength and willingness to die was developed. During this period many states in Southeast Asia underwent change and Islam became established in the island regions. The major kingdoms, including Pagan (Burma), Khmer (Cambodia), Sukhothai (Thailand), and Srivijaya on Sumatra, collapsed and new states arose.

In South Asia Islamic sultans based at Delhi established Muslim rule over much of north India and extended their control as far south as Madurai in Tamil Nadu. In 1398 the Timurid Empire sacked Delhi, bringing the Delhi Sultanate to an end.