the islamic caliphate and other islamic states took over the middle east starting in the 7th century, and later expanded into india and indonesia. the crusades would be fought from the 12th century, in christian europe's attempt to retake the holy land from the muslims. the mongol empire conquered a large part of asia in the 13th century, an area extending from china to europe. the delhi sultanate and mughal empire conquered most of the indian subcontinent.