Hulagu Khan; also known as H黮eg? Hulegu or Halaku (c. 1217 - 8 February 1265); was a Mongol ruler who conquered much of Southwest Asia. Son of Tolui and the Kerait princess Sorghaghtani Beki; he was a grandson of Genghis Khan; and the brother of Arik Boke; M鰊gke Khan and Kublai Khan. Hulagu's army greatly expanded the southwestern portion of the Mongol Empire; founding the Ilkhanate of Persia; a precursor to the eventual Safavid dynasty; and then the modern state of Iran.