At the Battle of Köse Dağ, the Mongol forces, commanded by Baiju Noyan, faced the Seljuk Turks led by Sultan Kayqubad I. The battle occurred in the mountainous region near the town of Erzurum in eastern Anatolia, an area strategic for controlling trade routes between east and west. The Seljuk Turks, already weakened by internal strife and territorial losses, confronted a formidable Mongol army eager to assert its dominance under the auspices of Genghis Khan's descendants.

As the battle unfolded, the Mongols utilized superior maneuvering skills and military tactics that overwhelmed the Seljuk cavalry. The battle saw the employment of light cavalry archers, which allowed the Mongols to effectively harass and outmaneuver their opponents. The Seljuks, despite their valiant efforts, were not well-equipped to withstand such a tactical assault. The defeat at Köse Dağ was marked by significant losses for the Seljuk forces, forcibly causing Sultan Kayqubad I to retreat and leading to a substantial power shift in the region.

In the aftermath of the battle, Mongol control over Anatolia started to solidify, paving the way for further territorial expansion. The victory effectively dismantled the authority of the Seljuk Turks, leading to a power vacuum in Anatolia that would allow for the rise of various smaller Turkish states such as the Sultanate of Rum. This transition had lasting repercussions for the political landscape of the region, fundamentally altering the balance of power among the Islamic states in Anatolia and impacting trade across these territories.