The population of Baghdad had grown to between three hundred thousand and five hundred thousand by the tenth century.
The great city’s early meteoric growth had slowed due to troubles within the 'Abbasid Caliphate, including relocations of the capital to Samarra (during 808–819 and 836–892), the loss of the western and easternmost provinces, and periods of political domination by the Iranian Buwayhids (945–1055) and Seljuq Turks (1055–1135).
Nevertheless, the city remains one of the cultural, educational, and commercial hubs of the Islamic world and the capital of the Caliphate.
The Mongols have laid siege to the city from three sides.
'Abbasid caliph al-Musta'sim, ineffectual himself and surrounded by advisers with conflicting opinions, presents no strong defense against the southern wing of the Mongols, whose program is to subdue the Islamic world.
Al-Musta'sim ignores several demands by Hulagu and answers others with blustering and empty threats.
On January 30, 1258, Hulagu orders the bombardment of Baghdad.
