This painting comes from an illustrated manuscript of the Tarikh-i jahan gusha (History of the World Conquerer), about the exploits of the Mongol leader Chinghiz (Genghis) Khan (1162–1227). During the Timurid period (ca. 1370–1507), the Turko-Mongol ruler Timur (Tamerlane) and his descendants modeled their military campaigns on those of the earlier Mongol conquerors of the Islamic world. In this illustration the invading Mongol army battles the Iranian population.

Timur and his sons were great patrons of the arts in the cities of Samarkand, Herat, Tabriz, and Shiraz, supporting workshops of painters and other artisans gathered from various parts of Iran. By promoting Iranian traditions in the arts, the Timurids legitimized their power and demonstrated respect for the culture they ruled. Painting flourished under their patronage so much so that the works produced during this period represent classic Persian painting.