
The Khwarazmian Empire, a Sunni Muslim empire of Turkic mamluk origin, emerged as a significant power in Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Iran from 1077 to 1231. Initially serving as vassals to the Seljuk Empire and the Qara Khitai, they gained independence around 1190 and became known for their aggressive expansionism, overtaking rivals like the Seljuk and Ghurid Empires and even challenging the Abbasid Caliphate. At its zenith in the early 13th century, the Khwarazmian Empire was considered the preeminent power in the Muslim world, covering an estimated 2.3 to 3.6 million square kilometers.
Structured similarly to the Seljuk model, the empire boasted a formidable cavalry army predominantly composed of Kipchak Turks. This military prowess enabled it to become the dominant Turco-Persian empire before the Mongol onslaught. The Khwarazmian dynasty was initiated by Anush Tigin Gharachai, a Turkic slave who rose to prominence within the Seljuk Empire. It was under Ala ad-Din Atsiz, Anush Tigin's descendant, that Khwarazm asserted its independence, marking the start of a new era of sovereignty and expansion until its eventual conquest by the Mongols.