Battle of Ain Jalut - The First Decisive Defeat to Mongols

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The Battle of Ain Jalut (also spelled as Ayn Jalut) was a decisive battle between Muslim Mamluks and Mongols. It is regarded as the battle that initiated the decline of the Mongol Empire. The Battle of Ain Jalut was fought in 1260 at Nazareth (now in Israel).

Background

Genghis Khan united various tribes of Mongols at the beginning of the 13th Century. The unity and discipline converted these barbaric tribes into one of the world’s most formidable forces. They spread to all sides of Mongolia by crushing opponents and mercilessly killing civilians. Along with Russians, Chinese, and Europeans, Muslims also suffered badly at the hands of Mongols.

In 1258, Mongols captured and destroyed Baghdad, which effectively ended the Abbasid Caliphate. Later in 1259, they took over Damascus and Aleppo from Ayyubids. Now, Mongols were in pursuit of the Holy Land. Crusades were also underway at that time. The invaders also had a few Christian realms (Armenians and Georgians) alongside Ayyubid troops from Syria under their command. The Egyptian Mamluks were the rulers of Egypt and Palestine at that difficult time.

Events before the Battle

Before unleashing their wrath on Mamluks, Hulagu Khan demanded their surrender through a letter full of arrogance and threats. In reply, Mamluk sultan Qutuz beheaded the Mongol envoys. It indicated that the Mamluks were ready for a decisive battle.

But Hulagu had to return to China before the battle to take part in the conflict for the succession of the new Khan after the death of Mongke Khan. He took many troops with him and left Kitbuqa Noyan, a Christian Mongol, and around 20,000 soldiers to deal with the Mamluks.

After learning of Hulagu Khan’s departure, Qutuz allied with Baibars, a fellow Mamluk leader, and rapidly marched towards the north to take advantage of the major Mongol army’s absence. Both the Mamluks and Mongols tried to persuade the Crusaders for assistance. The Crusaders decided to remain neutral but assisted the Mamluks by providing them with safe passage through their territories.

Both armies met at Ain Jalut in today’s Palestine/Israel. The battle was fought on 3rd September 1260.

The Battle

A major advantage to Mamluks was their familiarity with the terrain of Ain Jalut. Qutuz hid most of his troops in the highlands behind the trees before the start of the battle. Only a small number of soldiers under Baibars took part in the initial stage of this battle.

Both armies met with ferocity and fought for several hours. According to the plan, Baibars ordered the retreat after a general attack by the Mongols. The Mongols followed them in the hope of annihilating their enemy. During this feigned retreat, Qutuz invaded the Mongols from behind when the Mongols passed the hill where he was hiding with his soldiers. Now, Mongols were encircled from all sides.

But this situation didn’t demoralize the seasoned fighters of the Mongols, and they continued their fight with ferocity. As Mongols were near to breaking the left flank of the Mamluk army, Qutuz removed his helmet while advancing forward with his own unit and urged Mamluks to remain committed for the sake of Islam.

This brave move assisted the Mamluks in regaining momentum. Mongol commander Kibtuqa and most of his troops perished during the battle. The remaining Mongols fled towards Besan, about 8 km away. Mamluks followed them and annihilated almost the entire Mongol force.

Reasons for Mamluk Victory in the Battle of Ain Jalut

  1. The Battle of Ain Jalut was a battle of survival for Mamluks and Muslims in the Middle East and North Africa. They were well aware of the atrocities the Mongols committed in Baghdad and their other occupied areas. Despite fearing Mongols as ruthless and invincible, they had no other option except to fight with full power, and they did so successfully.
  2. The death of Great Khan Mongke in 1259 created differences among Mongols about his succession. It forced Hulagu Khan to take the bulk of his forces to China to take part in the battle of succession. This departure made it easier for Mamluks to fight against a relatively smaller army, and they fully capitalized on this divine favor.
  3. Mongols were hopeful to get assistance from Crusaders as they were fighting against their common enemy (Muslims). But Crusaders were themselves afraid of Mongols. They not only refused any cooperation with Mongols but instead assisted Mamluks by letting them pass through their territories and establish supply routes for their military.
  4. Mongols were allied with the Ayyubids of Homs and some other parts of Syria. However, these Muslims were not interested in fighting against their brethren. These Ayyubids turned against the Mongols during the fierce battle. Their shift of allegiance during battle also played a major role in defeating the Mongols in the Battle of Ayn Jalut.

Importance of the Battle of Ain Jalut

The Battle of Ain Jalut was the first major defeat of the Mongols in history. It was the first time that they could not take revenge for their defeat. Mongols tried numerous times to re-enter Syria, but all their efforts proved futile. Their last battle against the Mamluks was the Battle of Marj al-Saffar, fought in 1303. The defeat in this battle marked the end of the Mongol invasion of Syria.    

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