Even after Genghis Khan’s death, the Mongol Empire was actively expanding into different corners of the Eurasian continent. First, the great khan’s business was continued by his sons, after which the baton of rapid conquests was taken up by his grandsons. Each Chingizid chose a certain direction, where then struck the Mongol horde, sweeping away all in its path.
By the middle of the XIII century, Genghis Khan’s talented grandson Hulagu was successfully advancing deep into the Middle East region. In 1258 under the onslaught of his tumens fell Baghdad — a major city, the former capital of the Arab Caliphate and the cultural center of the Islamic world. For a week the Mongols plundered its inhabitants and could not get enough of the riches of the prosperous Baghdad!
1258, Mongols in captured Baghdad. Artist: Angus McBride
The invincible nomadic army moved further east, into the lands of Iran. And soon turned back sharply to subdue the lands of Syria. By 1260 the Mongols had reached Aleppo, which lasted only 6 days! Damascus surrendered without a fight. The viceroy appointed by Hulagu quickly settled in the city. It is possible to tell that for some years practically all Islamic East appeared in subordination of nomadic conquerors.
Only Egypt, where not so long ago (since 1250) the power of Mamluks was established, kept its independence and was ready to fight with a new threat. Immediately after Syria, Hulagu Khan sent a letter to Kutuz, the Sultan of Egypt, demanding to submit and pay tribute until “your swords were bared and your mistakes turned against yourselves”. The message in form was nothing less than a declaration of war. It went on to say: “You will not escape our swords. Our riders ride the fastest, our spears are the sharpest, and our arrows are always on target.”
It seemed that Hulagu gave the Egyptian authorities no other chance than to die honorably in battle, and the fate of the Mamelukes was sealed. Suddenly, however, came the news of the death of the great Hagan Munkah, Hulagu’s own brother. And the latter hurriedly returned to the steppe: not only to honor the memory of a close relative, but also to participate in the kurultai to elect a new ruler of the Mongols. He appointed Kitbuku, who commanded two tumens — up to 20 thousand horsemen — to govern the conquered lands.
Mamluks training. In the center, an elite warrior from the Mamluk guard, the Hassakia, demonstrates a fire show. Artist: Angus McBride
Upon learning of the movement of Hulagu’s army, Sultan Qutuz of Egypt convened a council of war. And the discussions resulted in a plan to strike the remaining Mongols swiftly while they were weak. The Mamluks even agreed with the Templars to let their army pass through the territory of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. And in the early fall of 1260 in the Palestinian lands, near the place Ain-Jalut, uncompromising battle between the armies of Sultan Kutuz and temnik Kitbuki.
The active phase of the battle began with an attack of Mongolian cavalry, which was opposed by the vanguard of the Mamluks led by the talented commander Beibars. And after a short exchange of cutting and stabbing compliments, the general picture of the battle began to emerge: Kutuz’s army was retreating, and Kitbuka was pressing and bringing victory closer. But the Temnik did not suspect and, apparently, forgot that the Mamluks were the same steppesmen (mainly Kipchak Polovtsians), captured in battles and sold in the slave markets of the Middle East.
And, here, the Mongols are already rushing at full speed behind the retreating Beibars, who literally and figuratively blows dust in their eyes. Too late Kitbuka realized that he fell for a favorite nomadic, in particular the Mongols themselves, a technique known as false retreat. As a result, the two tumen were surrounded when the warriors led by Kutuz came from behind the hills. From three sides his detachments struck the Mongols. Only after paying a huge price in blood, they escaped from the deadly ring. Running away, they did not even notice the loss of their commander.
Mamluk horsemen in battle with the Mongols. Artist: Peter Dennis
Soon Kitbuka, finding himself a prisoner at the feet of Sultan Kutuz, proudly noted that his life was certainly at the mercy of the Mamluks. But it would not change anything, because “Hulagu Khan has three hundred thousand of the same glorious horsemen”. And after loud words the dunce was deprived of his head.
Kutuz himself, by the way, did not even reach Cairo. On the way back, while they were camped near Gaza, Beibars and other close associates of the sultan organized a conspiracy. Qutuz was killed, and his place was taken by Beibars I, who soon became known as one of the most outstanding generals of the Muslims.