13th century

As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. In the history of European culture, this period is considered part of the High Middle Ages.

Events

• Genghis Khan, Temujin by birth is claimed "Khan of Khans" by the Mongol tribes.
• Mongols under Genghis Khan conquer and rule over most of Asia and Eastern Europe by establishing Mongol Empire
• Ogedei Khan establish Mongolian dynasty in China. Some Mongol leaders convert from Tantric Buddhism to Islam.
• Fourth through eighth crusades of western European kingdoms against Islam
• King John of England forced to sign Magna Carta at Runnymede
• Fall of the Hohenstaufen dynasty of Holy Roman Emperors
• Marco Polo and his family reach China
• James I of Aragon takes control of Balearic Islands and Valencia.
• Theravada overtakes Mahayana as the dominant form of Buddhism in Cambodia.
• Persian historian Rashid al-Din records eleven Buddhist texts circulating in Arabic translation.
• The Thai Kingdom of Sukhothai is established, with Theravada Buddhism as the state religion. Later in the century it vassalises significant parts of modern Thailand, Laos, Burma, and Malaysia.
• Norway cedes the Isle of Man to Scotland.
• First European universities founded.
• The Utiguri Bulgar state on the Volga vanishes from history.
• Bantu-speaking peoples arrive in modern Angola, partially displacing the original Khoisan inhabitants.