April 13, 2025 • 41 mins
THE RISE OF TEMUDJIN "GENGHIS KHAN" - Chapter 7: Flight and Death of Mohammed.
THE MONGOLS HISTORY - by Jeremiah Curtin - HQ Full Book.
Chapter 7: Flight and Death of Mohammed in The Mongols – A History by Jeremiah Curtin presents a harrowing and fast-paced chronicle of the disintegration of Shah Mohammed’s empire in the face of the Mongol onslaught, the brutal vengeance of Genghis Khan, and the emergence of Jelal ud Din as a last hope of resistance. This chapter is one of relentless pursuit, desperate flight, and grim consequences, illustrating how the calculated and fearsome Mongol military campaigns broke the back of the Khwarezmian Empire. The chapter opens with the indecision of Shah Mohammed, which sets the tone for his eventual downfall. Faced with the overwhelming might of Genghis Khan’s forces, the Shah is paralyzed by uncertainty. Despite the mounting threat and the urgent need to mount a defense or seek negotiation, he fails to act decisively. This hesitation proves fatal, both to him and to the cities under his command.
With the Mongols closing in, Mohammed flees to Nishapur, one of the key cities in Khorasan. His retreat is not a calculated strategic withdrawal but rather a sign of crumbling morale. In his absence, cities like Balkh submit peacefully to the Mongols, unwilling to endure destruction for a ruler who has abandoned them. Balkh’s surrender shows the persuasive terror of the Mongol reputation and the political vacuum left by Mohammed’s absence. From Nishapur, the Shah issues a proclamation attempting to rally support, yet it falls on deaf ears. The people, already disillusioned by his flight and failures, offer little in the way of assistance. Meanwhile, the Mongols continue their pursuit, methodically tracking him and crushing any resistance along the way. Sensing the growing danger, Mohammed again withdraws from Nishapur, leaving the city to its fate. The Mongols, upon arrival, exact terrible retribution in the sack of Nishapur. The city, once vibrant, is reduced to ruins. The massacre that follows is not only a punishment for resistance but a message to other cities: submission or annihilation. After this, Mohammed’s flight becomes increasingly desperate. He seeks refuge in an island in the Caspian Sea, hoping the isolation will grant him safety. It does, but only temporarily—he dies there on January 10, 1221, sick, defeated, and alone.
His consort, Turkan Khatun, attempts to evade capture by fleeing to the mountains, but with no structured leadership or safe haven, her position becomes increasingly tenuous. The death of Mohammed leaves a power vacuum, and his son, Jelal ud Din, steps forward to claim succession. Unlike his father, Jelal is bold, charismatic, and capable of military leadership, but he inherits a shattered kingdom and faces an implacable enemy. The remnants of the Khwarezmian royal family soon face the inevitable. Both Ilak and Turkan Khatun surrender as Mongol pressure mounts. One by one, the strongholds of the Khwarezmian Empire fall. The Mongols lay siege to and capture the capital, further solidifying their grip on the region and dealing a psychological blow to any lingering resistance. Genghis Khan’s campaign continues with his attack on the Talekan district, sweeping through with brutal efficiency. The siege of Ghazni, once a center of Islamic culture and power, follows soon after. In 1220, Genghis sends his son Tului to lead a devastating campaign against Khorasan, launching assaults on cities and fortresses with methodical cruelty. Cities like Nessa and Merv are targeted, their populations subjected to the Mongols’ ruthless military doctrine.
One poignant tale during this rampage is the revenge taken by the widow of Togachar, a Mongol commander who had fallen in battle. Her vengeance leads to particularly brutal reprisals, symbolizing the personal nature of Mongol retribution and the blood-debt mentality that fueled their campaigns. The Mongols then turn toward Herat, another prominent city in the region. Though it initially resists, the city eventually falls under siege. During this time, Turkman tribes near Merv manage to escape, retreating westward. These fleeing groups are noted by Curtin as forming the early nucleus of the Ottoman Empire, showing how Mongol devastation inadvertently shaped the future political map. In 1221, Jelal ud Din appears at Ghazni, attempting to organize resistance and reestablish authority. However, tragedy strikes when a grandson of Genghis Khan is killed, prompting Genghis to unleash a wave of revenge so fierce that it shocks even the hardened Mongol commanders. This act exemplifies the personal vendettas that could drive Mongol campaigns into further extremes of violence.
Realizing he cannot hold his position, Jelal retreats from Ghazni, but Genghis, unwilling to let any opposition survive, pursues him personally. The chase culminates in a dramatic battle at th
THE MONGOLS HISTORY - by Jeremiah Curtin - HQ Full Book.
Chapter 7: Flight and Death of Mohammed in The Mongols – A History by Jeremiah Curtin presents a harrowing and fast-paced chronicle of the disintegration of Shah Mohammed’s empire in the face of the Mongol onslaught, the brutal vengeance of Genghis Khan, and the emergence of Jelal ud Din as a last hope of resistance. This chapter is one of relentless pursuit, desperate flight, and grim consequences, illustrating how the calculated and fearsome Mongol military campaigns broke the back of the Khwarezmian Empire. The chapter opens with the indecision of Shah Mohammed, which sets the tone for his eventual downfall. Faced with the overwhelming might of Genghis Khan’s forces, the Shah is paralyzed by uncertainty. Despite the mounting threat and the urgent need to mount a defense or seek negotiation, he fails to act decisively. This hesitation proves fatal, both to him and to the cities under his command.
With the Mongols closing in, Mohammed flees to Nishapur, one of the key cities in Khorasan. His retreat is not a calculated strategic withdrawal but rather a sign of crumbling morale. In his absence, cities like Balkh submit peacefully to the Mongols, unwilling to endure destruction for a ruler who has abandoned them. Balkh’s surrender shows the persuasive terror of the Mongol reputation and the political vacuum left by Mohammed’s absence. From Nishapur, the Shah issues a proclamation attempting to rally support, yet it falls on deaf ears. The people, already disillusioned by his flight and failures, offer little in the way of assistance. Meanwhile, the Mongols continue their pursuit, methodically tracking him and crushing any resistance along the way. Sensing the growing danger, Mohammed again withdraws from Nishapur, leaving the city to its fate. The Mongols, upon arrival, exact terrible retribution in the sack of Nishapur. The city, once vibrant, is reduced to ruins. The massacre that follows is not only a punishment for resistance but a message to other cities: submission or annihilation. After this, Mohammed’s flight becomes increasingly desperate. He seeks refuge in an island in the Caspian Sea, hoping the isolation will grant him safety. It does, but only temporarily—he dies there on January 10, 1221, sick, defeated, and alone.
His consort, Turkan Khatun, attempts to evade capture by fleeing to the mountains, but with no structured leadership or safe haven, her position becomes increasingly tenuous. The death of Mohammed leaves a power vacuum, and his son, Jelal ud Din, steps forward to claim succession. Unlike his father, Jelal is bold, charismatic, and capable of military leadership, but he inherits a shattered kingdom and faces an implacable enemy. The remnants of the Khwarezmian royal family soon face the inevitable. Both Ilak and Turkan Khatun surrender as Mongol pressure mounts. One by one, the strongholds of the Khwarezmian Empire fall. The Mongols lay siege to and capture the capital, further solidifying their grip on the region and dealing a psychological blow to any lingering resistance. Genghis Khan’s campaign continues with his attack on the Talekan district, sweeping through with brutal efficiency. The siege of Ghazni, once a center of Islamic culture and power, follows soon after. In 1220, Genghis sends his son Tului to lead a devastating campaign against Khorasan, launching assaults on cities and fortresses with methodical cruelty. Cities like Nessa and Merv are targeted, their populations subjected to the Mongols’ ruthless military doctrine.
One poignant tale during this rampage is the revenge taken by the widow of Togachar, a Mongol commander who had fallen in battle. Her vengeance leads to particularly brutal reprisals, symbolizing the personal nature of Mongol retribution and the blood-debt mentality that fueled their campaigns. The Mongols then turn toward Herat, another prominent city in the region. Though it initially resists, the city eventually falls under siege. During this time, Turkman tribes near Merv manage to escape, retreating westward. These fleeing groups are noted by Curtin as forming the early nucleus of the Ottoman Empire, showing how Mongol devastation inadvertently shaped the future political map. In 1221, Jelal ud Din appears at Ghazni, attempting to organize resistance and reestablish authority. However, tragedy strikes when a grandson of Genghis Khan is killed, prompting Genghis to unleash a wave of revenge so fierce that it shocks even the hardened Mongol commanders. This act exemplifies the personal vendettas that could drive Mongol campaigns into further extremes of violence.
Realizing he cannot hold his position, Jelal retreats from Ghazni, but Genghis, unwilling to let any opposition survive, pursues him personally. The chase culminates in a dramatic battle at th
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter seven, Flight and Death of Mohammed. While the Mongols
were ruining northern Transoxian and Mohammed held aloof from every
action and was discouraged so deeply that his weakness affected
all people of the empire. While fortifying Samarcand, he passed
by the moat one day and made this remark, the
Mongols are so many that they could fill this moat
(00:21):
with their horse whips. When Jinghis had captured the northern
line beyond the Oxus, Mohammed moved southward by way of Naksheb,
telling all people to care for themselves since his troops
could not protect them. The diversity of opinions among his
commanders and ministers increased his hesitation. The best warriors declared
that Transoxiana was lost, but that Cairassin and Iraq must
(00:44):
be guarded, that troops must be concentrated, a general Levian forced,
and the a m U Dharia be defended at all costs.
Others advised to fall back upon Gazni and there meet
the Mongols. If beaten, the Shah might retire beyond the industry.
This being the most timid course, Mohammed favored and chose it,
but joined at Bulk by a Mad o Mulk the visire.
(01:07):
He altered that plan at the instance of a mad
who was Prime Minister of Rok Yudi Din, the Shah's son,
who held Persian Iraq as an up punnage, and had
sent a mad to his father, hoping thus to be
rid of him. The position of a Mad was of
this sort. He wished to be near Shah Mohammed, his protector,
and he was drawn toward his birthplace, the home of
his family. So he persuaded the Shah to change plans
(01:29):
and go to Persian Iraq, where he would find men
and means to force back the Mongols. Jilo Yudi Din,
the best son of Mohammed, in fact, the only brave
man in the family, was opposed to both projects. He
would not talk of retreat. He would stop the invasion
at the oxus. If thou retire to Iraq, said he
give me thy forces, I will drive back the Mongols
(01:52):
and liberate the empire. Every discussion, however, was fruitless. The
Shah treated all his son's reasons as folly. Success said,
Mohammed is fixed from eternity. Defeat is averted by a
change in the stars, and not otherwise. Before he left
his position at balk, Mohammed sent men to Penged, a
(02:13):
point north of Termed, to collect information of the enemy's movements.
Tidings came quickly that Bokhara had been captured, that Samarkand
had surrendered, Delaying his journey no longer, The Shah started
off in hot haste through Cairascin. Most of the troops
who went with him were Turks, whose chiefs were his
mother's adherents and kinsmen. These formed a plot very quickly
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to kill him. For Warned of their treachery, Mohammed left
his tent during night hours. Next morning it was seen
to be riddled with arrows. His fears increased greatly, and
he hastened on till he reached Nishop, where he halted,
thinking that the Mongols would not cross the River Oxus
in any case. From Samarkan Jing his despatched cheap with
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ten thousand subatai, with a second ten thousand and tigature
with a third corps of similar numbers. The order given
these was to ride with all speed to the camp
of the Shah if they found him at the head
of large forces, to wait till reinforcements came up to them,
if he had few to attack and secure him, if
fleeing to pursue, and with Heaven's helped take and keep
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him to spare cities which yielded to ruin utterly. Those
which resisted the pursuing Mongols swept through Cairascent untiringly. This
splendid province had four famous cities, balk Herat, Merv, and Misshaper.
Besides these there were others of considerable, though minor importance.
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When the Mongols were near balk that city sent forth
a deputation with presence and submission, a Mongol governor was
placed in it. Zaeyvey closed its gates and refused all supplies.
Unwilling to lose time there at siege worked, the Mongols
pressed forward. But since people mounted the walls then and stood,
beating drums and abusing them, they turned and attacked that
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foolish city which reviled them. They stormed the place, put
to the sword every man in it, and burned what
they had not the power to take with them on
and unrode the Mongols. People met on the way to
his Shaper were seized and put to torture till they
told what they knew of the fleeing Mohammed, cities were
summoned to surrender. Those that surrendered were spared and received
(04:20):
new commandants. If cities which resisted were weak, they were stormed.
If strong, they were left till a later occasion, since
the work then on hand was to capture Mohammed. When
the Shah learned that the enemy had entered Carassen, he
left his shaper with a small escort under pretext of hunting.
Consternation filled that place when the truth grew apparent. After
(04:42):
the Shah deserted the city, the visire with the mufty
and the caughty ruled pending the arrival of a governor
who was on the way from Urgings, the quair'sman capital.
This man died when three days from the end of
his journey. His household officials kept his death secret lest
the escort might seize all his movable property. One of
the regions went forth as if to meet him, and
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brought in his treasure. The escort, one thousand in number,
would not stay in the city, but went in search
of Mohammed. Next day, those men, when nine miles from
the Shaper, were met by a new host of Mongols,
who attacked very quickly and cut them to pieces. The
city was summoned to open its gates, and the three
regents gave answer as follows. When Shah Mohammed is captured,
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this shaper will surrender. The first Mongol party that demanded
provisions received them and vanished. Day after day, new bodies
rushed up to the city, received what they asked for,
and rode away swiftly. At last, Cheap came and commanded
the Visire, the Mufti and Khati to appear at headquarters.
Three supposititious men were sent out to meet him with
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gifts and provisions. The general gave these men the Khan's
proclamation in weager characters, and this was its import. Oh, Commandants,
officials and people, know ye that He has given me
the empire of the earth, both the east and the
west of it. Those who submit will be spared. Woe
to those who resist. They will be slaughtered with their
(06:09):
children and wives and dependents. Give provisions to all troops
that come, and think not to meet water with fire,
or to trust in your walls or the numbers of
those who defend them. If he try to escape, utter
ruin will seize you. The three bodies of Mongols, ten
thousand each, which were speeding on now in pursuit of Mohammed,
(06:30):
were rushing toward Iraq. Sabatai passed through dame Gan and
Simnan and crossed the Kumus River cheap. Noyan, who had
gone by Mazandaran, rejoined Sabatai at Rey. This place they
took by surprise and then sacked it from the shape
of Mohammed hastened on to Casvien, where his son, Roking
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Yudi Din had an army. There, he took council with
the leaders of that army, which was thirty thousand in number,
and sent for Heserask, Prince of Leah, who advised a
retreat across the mountain chain lying between Fars and Law.
The Shah wished to stay in Iraq and increase his
defense there. He had just stated that wish when news
came that Ray had been taken and plundered. Chiefs and
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princes fled straightway. On hearing this, each went his own road,
and the whole army vanished immediately. So great was the
terror inspired by the on rushing Mongols. The Shah fled
for safety to his sons in Kuran. On the way,
Mongol forces were in sight and almost caught him. Unwittingly,
they sent arrows at the fleeing man, though not knowing
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who he was, and wounded the horse which he was riding,
But the beast held out and bore him safely to
the fortress. Next morning, he fled farther along the road
lying westward toward Baghdad. Barely had he ridden away when
the Mongols, who knew now whose horse they had wounded,
rushed in, thinking to seize the hunted man. Surely, they
attacked the fort furiously at first, but learning soon that
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the Shah had escaped, they hurried after him. On the way,
they met men who professed to be guides, dismissed by Mohammed.
From these men they heard that he was fleeing to Baghdad.
They took the guides then and rushed forward, but the
Shah was on a new road at that time. The
Mongols soon saw that they had lost his trail and
were tricked, so they cut down the guides and returned
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to Karan. Mohammed had fled to Serjihan, a strong place
northeast of Casvin, on a mountain. Seven days he remained there.
He then fled to Jailin and next to Maszandran, where
he appeared stripped of property and almost unattended. The Mongols
had preceded him, having sacked two towns already, Amul, the capital,
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and Astrobad, a place of much commerce. Where am I
to find safety from Mongols? Is there no spot on
earth where I can be free of them? Such was
the cry of Mohammed. Go to some little island in
the Caspian That will be the safest place, said some
of his friends. This advice pleased Shah Mohammed, so he
(08:59):
stopped in a villa on the sea shore, intending to
follow it. He prayed five times each day in the mosque,
had the Koran read to him, and promised God tearfully
that justice would reign in his empire as never on
earth up to that day, should power ever come to
him a second time. While Mohammed was thus engaged in
that village, Mongols appeared on a sudden. They were guided
(09:21):
by Rok Yudi Din, a small prince of that region.
This man's uncle and cousin had been killed by Shah Mohammed,
who seized their lands in the days of his insolence
and his greedy ambition. Rok Yudi Din's hatred had sent
him as a guide to the Mongols, and thus he
recovered his family inheritance. The Shah had barely time to
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spring into a boat and push out from shore when
his enemies were upon him. Enraged at the loss of
their victim, many horsemen sprang after the boat, but they
failed to reach it and were drowned in the Caspian Mohammad,
who was suffering gravely from pleurisy and weakness, declared as
he sailed from the shore that after reigning over many
kingdoms and lands, he lacked even a few ells of
(10:02):
earth for a resting place. The fallen man reached a
small island and was childishly joyous at finding a safe
place of refuge. His house was a tent with little
in it, but the people of the coast brought him
food and whatever else might be pleasing to the monarch,
as they thought. In return, Mohammed gave them brevets of
office or titles to land, which they wrote themselves frequently,
(10:25):
since he had sent most of his small suite to
bring his sons to him. Later on, when Jilo Yudi
Din had regained some part of his possessions. He honored
all gages of this kind. The Shah's illness increased, and
he lost hope of recovery. His sons came, and then
he withdrew from oslag the inheritance. Save Jilo yud Din,
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there is none of you who can recover the empire,
declared Mohammed. The failing monarch took his own saber, which
he girded on Jilo yud Din, and commanded the younger
brothers to show him obedience. Mohammed breathed his last sins
some days later January tenth, twelve twenty one, and was
buried on that island. There was no cloth for a shroud,
(11:07):
so he was buried in another man's shirt. His funeral
was small, and the ceremony scant. At his burial, Such
was the end which jinghas gave a great sovereign, who,
till his attack on the Khliph of Islam, ruled over
a vast country and found success everywhere save in the
struggles with his mother. Before crossing the Oxus, Mohammed directed
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Turkan Catan, who governed Urgent the modern Kiva, to retire
to Mazanderan and live there in the mountains, taking with
her his harem Jing. His informed clearly of the quarrels
between the Shah and his mother, sent danish Men, his
chancellor to that relentless, harsh woman, and this was his message.
Thy son is ungrateful. I know that if thou agree
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with me, I will not touch Querism, which thou art ruling.
I will give thee moreover, Carassin, when I win it,
send a trusty man. He will hear this assurance from
my own lips directly. Turk and Catuan gave no answer,
but left Quaraism as soon as she heard that her
son had fled westward. Before going, however, she put to
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death all the princes whom the Shah had despoiled and imprisoned.
Among these were both sons of Togril, the last Seljuk
Sultan of Iraq, the balk Prince and his son, the
Sovereign of Terned, the Prince of Bamiyan, the Vakx Prince,
the two sons of the Lord of Signac, and the
two sons of Mahmoud, last Prince of Gur. She had
all these men thrown into the Oxus and drowned, sparing
(12:34):
only Omar Khan of Yazar, who could be of use
on her journey since he knew all the roads which
led to his own land and birthplace. In fact, he
served the woman well till they were near Yazar, when
his head was cut off at her order, as she
had no further use for him. When Mohammed had fled
to Mazandran, he directed his mother, as we have seen,
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to live in Alac, the best stronghold in all that
great region of mountain. Later on, Sabbatai, who was hunting Mohammed,
left a body of men to invest that strong fortress.
As a Lac was in a rainy, damp climate, no
reservoirs had been made for dry periods. While the place
was invested, that happened, which came to pass rarely a
dry season after a blockade of some month's drought, forced
(13:18):
to surrender, but just after the Mongols had taken possession,
the sky was covered densely with clouds, which brought a
great rainfall. Turken Catan and the Harem were taken to
the camp of Jinghis who was before tail Can at
that time, and besieging it. She was held captive there strictly.
All the sons of Mohammed found in the Harem, were
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put to death promptly. Two of his daughters were given
to Jagatai, who made one of them his concubine and
gave the other as a present to his manager. A
third was given as wife to the Chancellor danish Men,
the widow of Ozmon Knaff Samarkand, She who had insisted
on the execution of her husband and was the daughter
of the Gurkin, was given in marriage to a dier,
(14:01):
but by another account she was given to Juchi, who
had by her afterwards several children. Turkin Catan, the strong
brutal woman, was taken to Karakuram, the Mandl capital, where
she died eight years later. Just before she was captured,
a eunuch had urged her to find refuge with Jilo
Yudi Din, her own grandson, who was near by. He
(14:22):
declared with a numerous army. Turkin replied that captivity of
any kind was sweeter to her than salvation at his hand,
such was the hate which she felt toward her grandson.
Na Sir Yudi Din, the visire who had defied Shah Mohammed,
was put to death at Tailcan with a number of
others Mohammed's three elder sons made their way to Mangeshlak
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by the Caspian and thence to urgin, the Quasmian capital.
Since the flight of their grandmother, the capital had been
without rule. In her haste, she had left no governor there.
Seventy thousand men gathered round the three princes. Immediately, the commanders,
being Kankoli Turks, were dissatisfied that Jilo yud Din had
succeeded his father. They feared his strong will and plotted
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to kill him. The new Shah saw very clearly that
his one chance of safety was flight, and he seized
that chance quickly. With three hundred warriors under Tamor Melik,
that Kajan commandant who had escaped through the mambl investment,
he fled across the desert to Nessa. After the capture
of Samarkan, jing Ha stationed his troops between that place
(15:28):
and Naksheb, where they spent the spring of twelve twenty
one and also the summer. Toward autumn, his forces were
reorganized thoroughly. Having rested, they were strong and now ready
for action. The return of Mohammed's sons at urginj and
the gathering of forces that roused the Khan's vigilance, so
he despatched thither an army at once under his sons Juchi,
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Jagatai and Ogotai. To cut off retreat toward the Indus,
he formed a cordon on the southern rim of the desert.
A part of this cordon was already near Nessa when
Jilo Yudi Din and their party arrived there. He attacked
this line of men valiantly, forced it to flight, and
pushed on without stopping. This was the first victory won
over Mongols in the Kuersmian Empire. The two younger brothers,
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hearing of the advance on Urginge, set out three days later,
but failed of such fortune as their brother and perished
near Nessa. Their heads fixed on lances were borne through Cairassen.
When the Mongol troops arrived before urgent Juchi, who was
in command, sent to the capital a summons to surrender,
informing the people that his father had given him the
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city and that he did not wish to injure it
in any way. As no attention was paid to this summons,
the siege was begun at once. The Mongols endeavored to
divert the waters of the Oxus above the town, but
with no success, for the workmen were killed by the garrison.
Quarrels between Juchi and Jagutai impeded siege work very greatly.
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Jing His angered by this delay, placed Ogtai in command.
Jiucci was enraged at being thus superseded by a younger brother,
but he could not withdraw. The siege lasted seven months
and gained great renown through the desperate defense made by citizens.
After the general assault, which decided the fate of the city,
the people continued resistance with fury. Driven from one street,
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they fought in the next. Women and even children took
part in these struggles, which continued seven days and nights
without ceasing. At last, the inhabitants asked to capitulate. We
have felt thy wrath, declared they to the Mongol commander.
Thy time has come now to show favor, how exclaimed
O Goti. They mention our wrath, they who have slain
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so many of our army. We have felt their wrath
very heavily, and now we will show them what ours is.
He ordered all the inhabitants to go forth from the
city and wait on the plain the artisans were to
group themselves separately. These artisans were spared, but were sent
to Mongolia. Some of them, fearing such an exile, joined
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with the people and waited. Except artisans, no one was
spared unless youthful women and also children. All were cut
down by Ogotai without mercy. After this slaughter, the Mongols
plundered Urgent of everything which had value. Then they opened
the sluices of the Oxus and flooded the city. Those
who were hidden their perished. In other places, some persons
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saved themselves always, but here those who escaped Mongol fury
and hid themselves were drowned by the water let in
on them. Jingis camp that summer on the rich knaksheb steps,
where his vast herds of horses found rest and good pasture.
In the autumn, anew and great campaign was begun by
the siege laid de termed. This city, on the north
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or right bank of the Oxus, refused to surrender and
was taken by storm. On the tenth day of action.
All the inhabitants were driven beyond the suburbs and massacred.
A certain old woman stopped the sword above her head
and promised a rare pearl if they spared them. When
they asked for the treasure, she answered, I have swallowed it.
They ripped her body open and found a costly pearl
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in her stomach. Thinking that others might have swallowed jewels
in like fashion, Jing has commanded to rip bodies open. Thenceforward.
The Mongol Khan passed the next winter between Balk and
the Bedacian boundary, subduing, ravaging, destroying all cities of note
and every place of distinction or value. Before the winter
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had ended, that whole region north of the Oxus was
ruined and was a horror to look upon. In spring,
he crossed the river at a ford and was met
by a Balk deputation with gifts and submission. Humility brought
that rich famous place no salvation. Jing his, who knew
that jil yud Din, the new sovereign, was at Gasni
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with an army, would not leave a strong fortress behind him.
Under pretext of making a census, he directed the people
in Bulk to assemble outside near the suburbs. They went
forth and were slaughtered most brutally. The city was pillaged,
then burned, and all its defenses demolished. The time of
terror came next to Nusrodaiku in the Tailcan district. This place,
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strong by position, by its works, and its garrison, defended
itself for six months with immense strength and successfully. Prisoners
in large numbers were forced to fight in the front
lines of investment. Those who turned back were cut down
without mercy by the Mongols. Behind them, a huge earth
mound was reared and catapults placed on it. With these,
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the besiegers battered the interior of the fortress. At last,
the brave garrison made a great sally on foot and
on horseback. The horsemen escaped to the mountains, but the
foot forces were like wild beasts at bay. They fought
till the enemy had slain every man of them. The
Mongols then burst into the city. They spared no living
soul in it, and left not one stone on another.
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While the Khan's army was destroying Nusrodaiku, Tullery returned to
his fire after wasting Cairassen, the richest and most beautiful
part of the empire. When Tului had set out for
this work of destruction, Cairassen had been already ravaged by
Sabatai and by chief who did the work only in part,
as they rushed along hunting Mohammed. These two chiefs left
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a common dant in each place, which yielded after they
had passed. And when news came of victories won, as
men said by Mohammed, people hitherto terrified recovered their courage.
For instance, the chief of militia in Tuss killed the
Mongol commandant and sent his head to a shaper the
next city as a trophy. But this chief suffered soon
(21:37):
after for his levity and rashness A strange captain came
with a detachment to Tuss, put nearly all native troops
to the sword, and forced the Tuss citizens to destroy
their defenses. When Tului received the command in twelve twenty
to march on Cairassen, he sent forward ten thousand men
under Tagikar as a vanguard. This body went on toward Nessa,
(21:59):
and when approaching that city, a part of it met
with resistance. Bel Gush, its commander fell. In the action
which followed, Tagakhar to avenge the death of Belgush besieged Nessa.
Shah Mohammed, when fleeing, had sent an official to advise
Nessa people. The Mongols said he will abandon the empire
(22:19):
when they have plundered it, so flee to the desert
or to mountainous regions, unless ye wished to rebuild the
old fortress which was raised by my father. They rebuilt
the old fortress. Tagakar attacked Nessa using twenty catapults handled
by captives, who, whenever they fell back, were massacred by
Mongols behind them. On the sixteenth day, at dawn, a
(22:42):
breach in the wall was effected. The Mongols burst through
and drove out the inhabitants on the plain near Nessa.
Some were forced to bind others. When the hands of
each man were bound behind his back, the Mongols slaughtered
all who were there, seventy thousand in number. The ancient
city of Meru or Merv, renowned in Persian story and
still more in Sanskrit poems, was the first place attacked
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by Tului with the main army. It was one of
the four ruling cities and the one which Melik Shah
and Sindjar, the Seljuk sultans, had favored. It stood on
a broad fertile plain through which flowed the Margab or
Bird River. When Mohammed fled from jinghis. He directed MERV
troops and officials to retire on Maraga, a neighboring fortress.
(23:28):
All people who remain must receive Mongol troops with submission.
This was his order. Mohammed's fear not his council remained
in that city. His governor, Bihai O Mulk, did not
think Maraga strong and found elsewhere a refuge. Some chiefs
returned to Mirv, others fled to distant places. The new governor,
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a man of no value, declared for submission, and so
did the Mufti, but the judge and descendants of the
prophet demanded resistance. The governor lost his place soon and
was followed in office by a former incumbent named Mojor
O Moulk, who managed MERV matters till Tulleri appeared with
a four seventy thousand in number made up in some
part of captives. Next day he surrounded the outworks, and
(24:11):
within a week's time his whole army had enclosed. At
Doomed City February twelve twenty one, the besieged made two
sorties from different sides, but were hurled back each time
with great violence. The assailants then passed the whole night
near the ramparts, so that no living soul might escape them.
Mojor O Molk sent a venerable Amalm next morning to
(24:33):
visit headquarters. This holy man brought back such mild words
and fair speeches that the governor himself went to visit
the camp, bearing with him rich presents. Tulluis promised him
the office of governor and the lives of all citizens.
He gave him a rich robe of honor, and spoke
of the Governor's friends and adherents. I desire to attach
(24:53):
them to my person, said he, and confer on them
fiefs and high office. The governor sent for his friends
and adherents. When Tului had all these men in his power,
he bound them. He bound mojor ol Moolk also and
forced him to name the richest merv citizens. A list
was drawn up of two hundred great merchants and men
(25:13):
of much property, who were sent to the Mongols with
four hundred artisans. After this, the troops entered the city
and drove out the people. The command had been given
that each man must go forth with his family and
all he had of most value. The multitude spent four
whole days marching out of the city, Tului mounted a
gilded throne on a plain near the suburbs, and had
(25:36):
the war chiefs brought first to his presence. That done,
he commanded to hew off their heads in presence of
the immense, wailing multitude of people for whom no better
lot was in waiting. Men, women and children were torn
from one another, never to meet in this life. After
that day, the whole place was filled with groans, shrieks,
and wild terror. The people were given in groups to
(25:58):
divisions of the army, whose office it was to cut
them down to the last without pity or exception. Only
four hundred artisans were set aside, and some boys and
girls intended for servitude. Wealthy persons were tortured unsparingly till
they told where their treasures were hidden. When the treasures
were found, these men were slaughtered as well as the others.
The city was plundered to the utmost. The tomb of
(26:20):
the Sultan Sinjar was pillaged. The walls of the ancient
city and the fortress were made level with the country
about them. Before he left that city of carnage and terror,
Tullui appointed a governor one of the inhabitants whom he
had spared for some reason, and then he joined a
Mongol commandant to that man. When the army had marched
away to destroying the Shaper, about five hundred persons crept
(26:42):
forth from underground places of hiding, but short was the
breathing space given them. Mongol troops following Tului wished also
a share in the bloodshed. Halting outside the dark ruins,
they asked that these ill fated people bring wheat to
their campground. The unfortunates were sent and were slaughtered. This
corps cut down every man whom it met. In the
(27:03):
wake of Tulleri. Nishaper stood twelve days journey distant from
Merv and in attacking at Tului was preparing to avenge Tagikar.
His sister's husband killed at Nessa. The Nishaper people had
done what they could to the harm of the Mongols,
and had prepared to defend themselves with all the strength
of their souls and their bodies. They had mounted three
(27:24):
thousand ballistas on the walls and five hundred catapults. The
siege was begun by laying waste the whole province of
which Nishaper was the capital. Three thousand ballistas, three hundred catapults,
seven hundred machines to throw pots of burning naphtha, and
four thousand ladders were among the siege implements. At sight
(27:45):
of these and of the vast multitude of savage warriors
surrounding their city, the leaders felt courage go from them.
A deputation of notables, with the chief Judge of Cairassin,
went to offer tulluis submission and an annual tribute. Tului
refused every offer and held the judge captive. Next morning,
he rode round the walls and roused his troops to
(28:07):
the greatest endeavor. They attacked all sides at once, fighting
that day and the night following. In the morning, the
moats were full in the walls were seventy breeches. Ten
thousand Mongols had entered. New assailants rushed in from every side,
and there were desperate encounters at many points. Before that
day had ended, the city was occupied. The assailants took
(28:30):
terrible vengeance. Tagikhar's widow, one of Jinghis Khan's daughters, rushed
in herself with ten thousand warriors, who cut down all
before them. The slaughter continued four days without ceasing. The
Mongols destroyed every living thing. Even the cats and dogs
in the city were killed by them. April twelve, twenty one,
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Tului had heard that in the destruction of merv many
persons had saved their lives by lying down among corpses.
So now he ordained that all heads be cut from
the bodies. Of these three pyramids were constructed, one of
men's heads, a second from heads of women, and a
third of children's heads. Fifteen days did destruction of the
city continue. The place disappeared altogether, and the Mongols sowed
(29:14):
barley on the side of it. Of the inhabitants, only
a few hundred men were left living. These were skilled artisans,
lest some should find refuge in underground places. Troops were
left near the ruins to slay all who might creep out.
Later on into daylight, the Mongol army marched now against
hero the last city left in Cairassin, the governor, who
(29:36):
had slain the envoys sent by Tului to summon the
place to surrender, exhorted all men to fight desperately, to
fight to the death. The struggle continued eight days, and
Herod fought with immense resolution and fury. On that day,
the governor fell and a small party sprang up, which
declared for submission. Tullui, knowing this state of mind in
(29:56):
the city, promised to spare the people if they would
submit to him straightway. The offer was accepted. He spared
all the citizens excepting twelve thousand devoted to jilo ud
Din the new sovereign, and appointed a Mohammedan governor with
a Mongol commandant to help him. Eight days later, Tului
received from Tailcan a command to go to his father.
(30:19):
While Tullui was ruining Cairassen, a small group of Turkmens Kancalis,
who were living near merv fearing the Mongols, moved westward and,
after some wandering in Asia Minor, settled at last nearing Gora,
under Ertigol, their tribe chieftain. They numbered in those days
four hundred and forty families. These Turkmens formed the nucleus
(30:39):
of the Ottoman Empire so famous in history until our day.
After he had destroyed Tailcan, Jingh has held his summer
camp for a time in the neighboring mountains. His sons
Jagatai and Ogotai, returned from Urgin and other ruined places
on the Oxus. Juchi went north of Lake Eril, and
in deep and unquenchable anger, began to establish the monarchy
(31:02):
of Kipchak, known later as the Golden Horde, and never
again saw his father jing His, learning toward the autumn
of twelve twenty one that Jeo Yudi Din had large
forces in Gasni, directed his march toward that city to
crush him. The Great Khan was detained a whole month
at Kurduan, a firm fortress, but he destroyed it at
(31:22):
last with all its defenders. He crossed the Hindu Kush
after that and besieged Bamyan, where he lost one grandson,
stricken dead by an arrow. This was Motogan, son of Jagatai.
To avenge this death, Bamian was stormed promptly and taken
Jinghi His would not have it in another way. The
command was given to leave nothing alive and take no
(31:44):
booty of any kind. Every living creature had to die,
and everything of value was broken or burned. Bamian was
renamed Mobilig, the city of Woe, and the region about
it was turned to a desert. A hundred years later
it contained no O inhabitants. Just after this destruction came
the news of Jilo Yudi Din's victory over a Mongol
(32:06):
division commanded by Katuku, who had been protecting the Khan's
operations and those of Tullui on the south side. This
victory was gained at Peruan, not far from the Bamian boundary.
It brought more harm to the victor, however, than prophet
for it caused a sudden rupture between his commanders, some
of whom deserted and led away many warriors with reduced ranks,
(32:28):
He was forced to fall back upon Gosni and thence
farther south when he heard that Jinghis was advancing rapidly
to avenge the defeat of Katuku his general. The Mongol
army reached Gosni fifteen days after its opponent had retreated.
Jinghis left a governor in the city and flew toward
the Indus with all the speed possible to horses when
men are sitting on them and urging them to the utmost.
(32:52):
But this time the great Mongol had to do with
a man of more metal than he had met in
his warfaring. Thus far, Jilo Yudi Din had gathered forces
from all sides. He sent urgent messages to the chiefs
who had left him, but though willing to return, they
had no chance to do so. At that day Jinghi
was between them and their leader. The Mongols urged forward
(33:13):
their horses with the energy of madmen. The great task
was to stop the young Shah from crossing the Indus
with his army and his harem. His wives and children
were all with him. Time was in this case pre
eminent in value. The Mongols pressed Gelo Yudi Din savagely,
but he was, as ever unterrified. Just before reaching the Indus,
(33:35):
he fell at night on the rear of his enemy's
vanguard and cut it down to a man. Very nearly
on reaching the river, there was no time to cross,
so the Shah ranged his army for battle. The left
wing was covered by a mountain which ended sheer in
the river. The mountain could not be turned and could
not be crossed, as the Shah thought it protected the
(33:56):
left from flank attack. Also, the Indus protected the right
from the flank movements, and jeal ud Din could be
met straight in front. Only his army was thirty thousand,
while that of his enemy was many times larger, and
now began the unequal and desperate encounter. The Shah's right wing,
to which he sent reinforcements, repeatedly repulsed the left wing
(34:18):
of the Mongols, and he himself broke Jing his Khan center.
For a time, the Mongol conqueror was in personal peril,
since a horse was killed under him in the struggle.
Jilo Yu d Din would have held his own and
perhaps one of victory, had not Belinoyan been sent with
ten thousand picked men to pass the mountain at all costs.
(34:38):
Over cliffs and on the edge of Abysses, The Mongols
crept carefully, pushing forward till at last they were in
the rear of the weakened left wing, and the center,
which attacked from rear in front, were pierced through and
forced out of contact with each other. Rallying seven thousand
men around him, Jio Yu d Din made a desperate
charge on the line of his enemy, which gave way
for some distance. Then he turned quick sprang on a
(35:01):
fresh horse, threw off his armor, and, spurring to the Indus,
leap from a bank given variously as from twenty to
sixty feet higher than the plain of the water. His
shield was at his shoulder and his standard in his hand.
Jing His, who spurred to the river bank swiftly and
gazed at his fleeing opponent, cried, how could Shah Mohammad
be the father of this man? The eldest son of
(35:23):
Jilo Yudi Din was a lad of eight years. He
with his brothers were tossed into the Indus and drowned
like superfluous puppies. Jingh His disposed of the harem and
treasures as pleased him. Jilo Yudi Din vanished then for
a time from the conflict, to appear later on in
various struggles till weakness, treachery in death put an end
(35:43):
to him. Mongol generals crossed the river and pursued, but
returned after fruitless endeavors. Jinghis marched up the right bank
of the Indus in a spring of twelve twenty two
and sent his son O Gotai to take Gosni and
destroy it. Here, as in most other places, the inhabitants
were sent from the city as it were to be counted,
(36:04):
but were slaughtered most brutally. None were spared except artisans.
An army corps was sent also to Ruin Herod, the
one city left in Cairascin Herod, had risen in revolt
on hearing of the Peruan triumph over Mongols. The people
had had such action in view since the time of surrender,
and had stored away arms and supplies under pretext that
(36:24):
they were for Mongol use should the need come. Not
far from Herod was the Calian fortress, known later on
as Neridu. To reach this strong place, men had to
pass single file on the high, narrow ridge of a
mountain which resembled the back of a colossal hog of
the razorback species. The place was beyond reach of arrows
or of stones sent by catapults. Though they had attacked
(36:47):
Calian twice, the Mongols had failed in their efforts to
take it. The Klian men, fearing lest they might come
a third time and impress hera people, had planned to
involve that strong and wealthy city, which would then have
one cause with them. They sent letters to the Mongol
governors ruling in Herod's stating, we are ready to surrender,
but fear Mongol rigor we beg for a written safe conduct.
(37:12):
The governors answered that they would give such a letter
and advised the petitioners to visit the city and come
to them. This was all that the other men needed,
So seventy strong warriors went down from Calian disguised as
simple hucksters. They had arms covered up in the packs
which they carried. They entered the city, each man by himself,
combined later on and slew both the governors. Herot rose
(37:35):
immediately and killed every partisan of the Mongols, in addition
to his own men. The Mongol commander led now fifty
thousand impressed from conquered places. A siege followed soon in
a desperate resistance. Six months and seventeen days did it
last till the fall of the city. The sword was
turned then on all save the choice youth of both sexes.
(37:59):
For one week the more Mongols slew, pillaged, burned, ruined.
It was said that one million, six hundred thousand people
perished in the conflict and subsequent slaughter. Jinghis received the
richest of the plunder, and with it went several thousands
of youthful captives. When Herod was destroyed, the commander went
back to the main army. Somewhat later. Troops were sent
(38:20):
to capture all who might have escaped and appeared in
the ruins, they found about two thousand. These they slew
and then returned to those who had sent them. Sixteen
persons took refuge on a steep mountain peak, and when
they saw no Mongols coming back, they went down to Herod.
A few others came also and joined them. There was
(38:41):
then a new population forty persons in number. Their only
refuge was the chief mosque of the city. After its
terrible ruin, Mirv had been repeopled to some extent, But
later five thousand Mongols were sent to that city, and
they slaughtered all whom they found in it. When these
five thousand had dined, when their work thoroughly, a commandant,
(39:01):
a k Melik, was left with the order to kill
all who might reappear in the ruins. This man did
his best to find people and slay them. He sent
muesens to summon to prayer from the minarets. Whenever a
Moslem crept out of his hiding place and entered the mosque,
he was seized and his life taken. Forty one days
did a k Melick lurk there and wait for more people.
(39:24):
The survivors were few when he left the ruins Mirv
remained a sad desert till the days of Shah Rak,
son of Tamerlane. Genius cut down on the banks of
the Indus all who had been faithful to Jilo yud Din,
the new Shah, and now he destroyed all who had deserted.
That sovereign had been foolishly treacherous. On deserting Jilo yud Din.
(39:45):
Agrach had gone with Ozum to Beckerhar. After a visit there,
he set out for Peshore, and from the first halting
place sent back this message, let not my mortal enemy
remain in that country. This enemy was Nu Jotter, the
chief of five over six thousand college families. Ozum sent
back this answer. Never has there been among Moslem such
(40:06):
need as there now is not to quarrel, And taking
an escort of fifty Ozum followed to make peace between
a Grak and Jotter. He could not move a Grack
or persuade him. They ate together and also drank wine.
A Gak's brain grew excited. He mounted, took one hundred men,
and rowed to the camp of the collages. Jotter, thinking
(40:27):
that a Gak wished peace, rode forth with his son
to greet him. On seeing his enemy, a Grach drew
his saber as if to strike, and was cut down
by Jotter's men. The next moment, when a Gak's adherents
heard that their leader had been slain, they thought that
Jotter and Ozam had plotted his ruin, and right away
they slew Ozam. Then they attacked Jotter's camp, where they
(40:48):
massacred him and his children. Soon after this they encountered
the Germen and killed a great number. As a close
to this tragic insanity of action, a corps of mounted
Mongols fell upon all and slew them indiscriminately. A small
remnant fled in various directions
Chapter seven, Flight and Death of Mohammed. While the Mongols
were ruining northern Transoxian and Mohammed held aloof from every
action and was discouraged so deeply that his weakness affected
all people of the empire. While fortifying Samarcand, he passed
by the moat one day and made this remark, the
Mongols are so many that they could fill this moat
(00:21):
with their horse whips. When Jinghis had captured the northern
line beyond the Oxus, Mohammed moved southward by way of Naksheb,
telling all people to care for themselves since his troops
could not protect them. The diversity of opinions among his
commanders and ministers increased his hesitation. The best warriors declared
that Transoxiana was lost, but that Cairassin and Iraq must
(00:44):
be guarded, that troops must be concentrated, a general Levian forced,
and the a m U Dharia be defended at all costs.
Others advised to fall back upon Gazni and there meet
the Mongols. If beaten, the Shah might retire beyond the industry.
This being the most timid course, Mohammed favored and chose it,
but joined at Bulk by a Mad o Mulk the visire.
(01:07):
He altered that plan at the instance of a mad
who was Prime Minister of Rok Yudi Din, the Shah's son,
who held Persian Iraq as an up punnage, and had
sent a mad to his father, hoping thus to be
rid of him. The position of a Mad was of
this sort. He wished to be near Shah Mohammed, his protector,
and he was drawn toward his birthplace, the home of
his family. So he persuaded the Shah to change plans
(01:29):
and go to Persian Iraq, where he would find men
and means to force back the Mongols. Jilo Yudi Din,
the best son of Mohammed, in fact, the only brave
man in the family, was opposed to both projects. He
would not talk of retreat. He would stop the invasion
at the oxus. If thou retire to Iraq, said he
give me thy forces, I will drive back the Mongols
(01:52):
and liberate the empire. Every discussion, however, was fruitless. The
Shah treated all his son's reasons as folly. Success said,
Mohammed is fixed from eternity. Defeat is averted by a
change in the stars, and not otherwise. Before he left
his position at balk, Mohammed sent men to Penged, a
(02:13):
point north of Termed, to collect information of the enemy's movements.
Tidings came quickly that Bokhara had been captured, that Samarkand
had surrendered, Delaying his journey no longer, The Shah started
off in hot haste through Cairascin. Most of the troops
who went with him were Turks, whose chiefs were his
mother's adherents and kinsmen. These formed a plot very quickly
(02:35):
to kill him. For Warned of their treachery, Mohammed left
his tent during night hours. Next morning it was seen
to be riddled with arrows. His fears increased greatly, and
he hastened on till he reached Nishop, where he halted,
thinking that the Mongols would not cross the River Oxus
in any case. From Samarkan Jing his despatched cheap with
(02:55):
ten thousand subatai, with a second ten thousand and tigature
with a third corps of similar numbers. The order given
these was to ride with all speed to the camp
of the Shah if they found him at the head
of large forces, to wait till reinforcements came up to them,
if he had few to attack and secure him, if
fleeing to pursue, and with Heaven's helped take and keep
(03:17):
him to spare cities which yielded to ruin utterly. Those
which resisted the pursuing Mongols swept through Cairascent untiringly. This
splendid province had four famous cities, balk Herat, Merv, and Misshaper.
Besides these there were others of considerable, though minor importance.
(03:37):
When the Mongols were near balk that city sent forth
a deputation with presence and submission, a Mongol governor was
placed in it. Zaeyvey closed its gates and refused all supplies.
Unwilling to lose time there at siege worked, the Mongols
pressed forward. But since people mounted the walls then and stood,
beating drums and abusing them, they turned and attacked that
(03:58):
foolish city which reviled them. They stormed the place, put
to the sword every man in it, and burned what
they had not the power to take with them on
and unrode the Mongols. People met on the way to
his Shaper were seized and put to torture till they
told what they knew of the fleeing Mohammed, cities were
summoned to surrender. Those that surrendered were spared and received
(04:20):
new commandants. If cities which resisted were weak, they were stormed.
If strong, they were left till a later occasion, since
the work then on hand was to capture Mohammed. When
the Shah learned that the enemy had entered Carassen, he
left his shaper with a small escort under pretext of hunting.
Consternation filled that place when the truth grew apparent. After
(04:42):
the Shah deserted the city, the visire with the mufty
and the caughty ruled pending the arrival of a governor
who was on the way from Urgings, the quair'sman capital.
This man died when three days from the end of
his journey. His household officials kept his death secret lest
the escort might seize all his movable property. One of
the regions went forth as if to meet him, and
(05:03):
brought in his treasure. The escort, one thousand in number,
would not stay in the city, but went in search
of Mohammed. Next day, those men, when nine miles from
the Shaper, were met by a new host of Mongols,
who attacked very quickly and cut them to pieces. The
city was summoned to open its gates, and the three
regents gave answer as follows. When Shah Mohammed is captured,
(05:26):
this shaper will surrender. The first Mongol party that demanded
provisions received them and vanished. Day after day, new bodies
rushed up to the city, received what they asked for,
and rode away swiftly. At last, Cheap came and commanded
the Visire, the Mufti and Khati to appear at headquarters.
Three supposititious men were sent out to meet him with
(05:48):
gifts and provisions. The general gave these men the Khan's
proclamation in weager characters, and this was its import. Oh, Commandants,
officials and people, know ye that He has given me
the empire of the earth, both the east and the
west of it. Those who submit will be spared. Woe
to those who resist. They will be slaughtered with their
(06:09):
children and wives and dependents. Give provisions to all troops
that come, and think not to meet water with fire,
or to trust in your walls or the numbers of
those who defend them. If he try to escape, utter
ruin will seize you. The three bodies of Mongols, ten
thousand each, which were speeding on now in pursuit of Mohammed,
(06:30):
were rushing toward Iraq. Sabatai passed through dame Gan and
Simnan and crossed the Kumus River cheap. Noyan, who had
gone by Mazandaran, rejoined Sabatai at Rey. This place they
took by surprise and then sacked it from the shape
of Mohammed hastened on to Casvien, where his son, Roking
(06:50):
Yudi Din had an army. There, he took council with
the leaders of that army, which was thirty thousand in number,
and sent for Heserask, Prince of Leah, who advised a
retreat across the mountain chain lying between Fars and Law.
The Shah wished to stay in Iraq and increase his
defense there. He had just stated that wish when news
came that Ray had been taken and plundered. Chiefs and
(07:11):
princes fled straightway. On hearing this, each went his own road,
and the whole army vanished immediately. So great was the
terror inspired by the on rushing Mongols. The Shah fled
for safety to his sons in Kuran. On the way,
Mongol forces were in sight and almost caught him. Unwittingly,
they sent arrows at the fleeing man, though not knowing
(07:33):
who he was, and wounded the horse which he was riding,
But the beast held out and bore him safely to
the fortress. Next morning, he fled farther along the road
lying westward toward Baghdad. Barely had he ridden away when
the Mongols, who knew now whose horse they had wounded,
rushed in, thinking to seize the hunted man. Surely, they
attacked the fort furiously at first, but learning soon that
(07:56):
the Shah had escaped, they hurried after him. On the way,
they met men who professed to be guides, dismissed by Mohammed.
From these men they heard that he was fleeing to Baghdad.
They took the guides then and rushed forward, but the
Shah was on a new road at that time. The
Mongols soon saw that they had lost his trail and
were tricked, so they cut down the guides and returned
(08:17):
to Karan. Mohammed had fled to Serjihan, a strong place
northeast of Casvin, on a mountain. Seven days he remained there.
He then fled to Jailin and next to Maszandran, where
he appeared stripped of property and almost unattended. The Mongols
had preceded him, having sacked two towns already, Amul, the capital,
(08:38):
and Astrobad, a place of much commerce. Where am I
to find safety from Mongols? Is there no spot on
earth where I can be free of them? Such was
the cry of Mohammed. Go to some little island in
the Caspian That will be the safest place, said some
of his friends. This advice pleased Shah Mohammed, so he
(08:59):
stopped in a villa on the sea shore, intending to
follow it. He prayed five times each day in the mosque,
had the Koran read to him, and promised God tearfully
that justice would reign in his empire as never on
earth up to that day, should power ever come to
him a second time. While Mohammed was thus engaged in
that village, Mongols appeared on a sudden. They were guided
(09:21):
by Rok Yudi Din, a small prince of that region.
This man's uncle and cousin had been killed by Shah Mohammed,
who seized their lands in the days of his insolence
and his greedy ambition. Rok Yudi Din's hatred had sent
him as a guide to the Mongols, and thus he
recovered his family inheritance. The Shah had barely time to
(09:41):
spring into a boat and push out from shore when
his enemies were upon him. Enraged at the loss of
their victim, many horsemen sprang after the boat, but they
failed to reach it and were drowned in the Caspian Mohammad,
who was suffering gravely from pleurisy and weakness, declared as
he sailed from the shore that after reigning over many
kingdoms and lands, he lacked even a few ells of
(10:02):
earth for a resting place. The fallen man reached a
small island and was childishly joyous at finding a safe
place of refuge. His house was a tent with little
in it, but the people of the coast brought him
food and whatever else might be pleasing to the monarch,
as they thought. In return, Mohammed gave them brevets of
office or titles to land, which they wrote themselves frequently,
(10:25):
since he had sent most of his small suite to
bring his sons to him. Later on, when Jilo Yudi
Din had regained some part of his possessions. He honored
all gages of this kind. The Shah's illness increased, and
he lost hope of recovery. His sons came, and then
he withdrew from oslag the inheritance. Save Jilo yud Din,
(10:46):
there is none of you who can recover the empire,
declared Mohammed. The failing monarch took his own saber, which
he girded on Jilo yud Din, and commanded the younger
brothers to show him obedience. Mohammed breathed his last sins
some days later January tenth, twelve twenty one, and was
buried on that island. There was no cloth for a shroud,
(11:07):
so he was buried in another man's shirt. His funeral
was small, and the ceremony scant. At his burial, Such
was the end which jinghas gave a great sovereign, who,
till his attack on the Khliph of Islam, ruled over
a vast country and found success everywhere save in the
struggles with his mother. Before crossing the Oxus, Mohammed directed
(11:28):
Turkan Catan, who governed Urgent the modern Kiva, to retire
to Mazanderan and live there in the mountains, taking with
her his harem Jing. His informed clearly of the quarrels
between the Shah and his mother, sent danish Men, his
chancellor to that relentless, harsh woman, and this was his message.
Thy son is ungrateful. I know that if thou agree
(11:50):
with me, I will not touch Querism, which thou art ruling.
I will give thee moreover, Carassin, when I win it,
send a trusty man. He will hear this assurance from
my own lips directly. Turk and Catuan gave no answer,
but left Quaraism as soon as she heard that her
son had fled westward. Before going, however, she put to
(12:12):
death all the princes whom the Shah had despoiled and imprisoned.
Among these were both sons of Togril, the last Seljuk
Sultan of Iraq, the balk Prince and his son, the
Sovereign of Terned, the Prince of Bamiyan, the Vakx Prince,
the two sons of the Lord of Signac, and the
two sons of Mahmoud, last Prince of Gur. She had
all these men thrown into the Oxus and drowned, sparing
(12:34):
only Omar Khan of Yazar, who could be of use
on her journey since he knew all the roads which
led to his own land and birthplace. In fact, he
served the woman well till they were near Yazar, when
his head was cut off at her order, as she
had no further use for him. When Mohammed had fled
to Mazandran, he directed his mother, as we have seen,
(12:54):
to live in Alac, the best stronghold in all that
great region of mountain. Later on, Sabbatai, who was hunting Mohammed,
left a body of men to invest that strong fortress.
As a Lac was in a rainy, damp climate, no
reservoirs had been made for dry periods. While the place
was invested, that happened, which came to pass rarely a
dry season after a blockade of some month's drought, forced
(13:18):
to surrender, but just after the Mongols had taken possession,
the sky was covered densely with clouds, which brought a
great rainfall. Turken Catan and the Harem were taken to
the camp of Jinghis who was before tail Can at
that time, and besieging it. She was held captive there strictly.
All the sons of Mohammed found in the Harem, were
(13:39):
put to death promptly. Two of his daughters were given
to Jagatai, who made one of them his concubine and
gave the other as a present to his manager. A
third was given as wife to the Chancellor danish Men,
the widow of Ozmon Knaff Samarkand, She who had insisted
on the execution of her husband and was the daughter
of the Gurkin, was given in marriage to a dier,
(14:01):
but by another account she was given to Juchi, who
had by her afterwards several children. Turkin Catan, the strong
brutal woman, was taken to Karakuram, the Mandl capital, where
she died eight years later. Just before she was captured,
a eunuch had urged her to find refuge with Jilo
Yudi Din, her own grandson, who was near by. He
(14:22):
declared with a numerous army. Turkin replied that captivity of
any kind was sweeter to her than salvation at his hand,
such was the hate which she felt toward her grandson.
Na Sir Yudi Din, the visire who had defied Shah Mohammed,
was put to death at Tailcan with a number of
others Mohammed's three elder sons made their way to Mangeshlak
(14:45):
by the Caspian and thence to urgin, the Quasmian capital.
Since the flight of their grandmother, the capital had been
without rule. In her haste, she had left no governor there.
Seventy thousand men gathered round the three princes. Immediately, the commanders,
being Kankoli Turks, were dissatisfied that Jilo yud Din had
succeeded his father. They feared his strong will and plotted
(15:07):
to kill him. The new Shah saw very clearly that
his one chance of safety was flight, and he seized
that chance quickly. With three hundred warriors under Tamor Melik,
that Kajan commandant who had escaped through the mambl investment,
he fled across the desert to Nessa. After the capture
of Samarkan, jing Ha stationed his troops between that place
(15:28):
and Naksheb, where they spent the spring of twelve twenty
one and also the summer. Toward autumn, his forces were
reorganized thoroughly. Having rested, they were strong and now ready
for action. The return of Mohammed's sons at urginj and
the gathering of forces that roused the Khan's vigilance, so
he despatched thither an army at once under his sons Juchi,
(15:49):
Jagatai and Ogotai. To cut off retreat toward the Indus,
he formed a cordon on the southern rim of the desert.
A part of this cordon was already near Nessa when
Jilo Yudi Din and their party arrived there. He attacked
this line of men valiantly, forced it to flight, and
pushed on without stopping. This was the first victory won
over Mongols in the Kuersmian Empire. The two younger brothers,
(16:13):
hearing of the advance on Urginge, set out three days later,
but failed of such fortune as their brother and perished
near Nessa. Their heads fixed on lances were borne through Cairassen.
When the Mongol troops arrived before urgent Juchi, who was
in command, sent to the capital a summons to surrender,
informing the people that his father had given him the
(16:34):
city and that he did not wish to injure it
in any way. As no attention was paid to this summons,
the siege was begun at once. The Mongols endeavored to
divert the waters of the Oxus above the town, but
with no success, for the workmen were killed by the garrison.
Quarrels between Juchi and Jagutai impeded siege work very greatly.
(16:56):
Jing His angered by this delay, placed Ogtai in command.
Jiucci was enraged at being thus superseded by a younger brother,
but he could not withdraw. The siege lasted seven months
and gained great renown through the desperate defense made by citizens.
After the general assault, which decided the fate of the city,
the people continued resistance with fury. Driven from one street,
(17:19):
they fought in the next. Women and even children took
part in these struggles, which continued seven days and nights
without ceasing. At last, the inhabitants asked to capitulate. We
have felt thy wrath, declared they to the Mongol commander.
Thy time has come now to show favor, how exclaimed
O Goti. They mention our wrath, they who have slain
(17:42):
so many of our army. We have felt their wrath
very heavily, and now we will show them what ours is.
He ordered all the inhabitants to go forth from the
city and wait on the plain the artisans were to
group themselves separately. These artisans were spared, but were sent
to Mongolia. Some of them, fearing such an exile, joined
(18:02):
with the people and waited. Except artisans, no one was
spared unless youthful women and also children. All were cut
down by Ogotai without mercy. After this slaughter, the Mongols
plundered Urgent of everything which had value. Then they opened
the sluices of the Oxus and flooded the city. Those
who were hidden their perished. In other places, some persons
(18:24):
saved themselves always, but here those who escaped Mongol fury
and hid themselves were drowned by the water let in
on them. Jingis camp that summer on the rich knaksheb steps,
where his vast herds of horses found rest and good pasture.
In the autumn, anew and great campaign was begun by
the siege laid de termed. This city, on the north
(18:46):
or right bank of the Oxus, refused to surrender and
was taken by storm. On the tenth day of action.
All the inhabitants were driven beyond the suburbs and massacred.
A certain old woman stopped the sword above her head
and promised a rare pearl if they spared them. When
they asked for the treasure, she answered, I have swallowed it.
They ripped her body open and found a costly pearl
(19:08):
in her stomach. Thinking that others might have swallowed jewels
in like fashion, Jing has commanded to rip bodies open. Thenceforward.
The Mongol Khan passed the next winter between Balk and
the Bedacian boundary, subduing, ravaging, destroying all cities of note
and every place of distinction or value. Before the winter
(19:28):
had ended, that whole region north of the Oxus was
ruined and was a horror to look upon. In spring,
he crossed the river at a ford and was met
by a Balk deputation with gifts and submission. Humility brought
that rich famous place no salvation. Jing his, who knew
that jil yud Din, the new sovereign, was at Gasni
(19:48):
with an army, would not leave a strong fortress behind him.
Under pretext of making a census, he directed the people
in Bulk to assemble outside near the suburbs. They went
forth and were slaughtered most brutally. The city was pillaged,
then burned, and all its defenses demolished. The time of
terror came next to Nusrodaiku in the Tailcan district. This place,
(20:11):
strong by position, by its works, and its garrison, defended
itself for six months with immense strength and successfully. Prisoners
in large numbers were forced to fight in the front
lines of investment. Those who turned back were cut down
without mercy by the Mongols. Behind them, a huge earth
mound was reared and catapults placed on it. With these,
(20:33):
the besiegers battered the interior of the fortress. At last,
the brave garrison made a great sally on foot and
on horseback. The horsemen escaped to the mountains, but the
foot forces were like wild beasts at bay. They fought
till the enemy had slain every man of them. The
Mongols then burst into the city. They spared no living
soul in it, and left not one stone on another.
(20:55):
While the Khan's army was destroying Nusrodaiku, Tullery returned to
his fire after wasting Cairassen, the richest and most beautiful
part of the empire. When Tului had set out for
this work of destruction, Cairassen had been already ravaged by
Sabatai and by chief who did the work only in part,
as they rushed along hunting Mohammed. These two chiefs left
(21:16):
a common dant in each place, which yielded after they
had passed. And when news came of victories won, as
men said by Mohammed, people hitherto terrified recovered their courage.
For instance, the chief of militia in Tuss killed the
Mongol commandant and sent his head to a shaper the
next city as a trophy. But this chief suffered soon
(21:37):
after for his levity and rashness A strange captain came
with a detachment to Tuss, put nearly all native troops
to the sword, and forced the Tuss citizens to destroy
their defenses. When Tului received the command in twelve twenty
to march on Cairassen, he sent forward ten thousand men
under Tagikar as a vanguard. This body went on toward Nessa,
(21:59):
and when approaching that city, a part of it met
with resistance. Bel Gush, its commander fell. In the action
which followed, Tagakhar to avenge the death of Belgush besieged Nessa.
Shah Mohammed, when fleeing, had sent an official to advise
Nessa people. The Mongols said he will abandon the empire
(22:19):
when they have plundered it, so flee to the desert
or to mountainous regions, unless ye wished to rebuild the
old fortress which was raised by my father. They rebuilt
the old fortress. Tagakar attacked Nessa using twenty catapults handled
by captives, who, whenever they fell back, were massacred by
Mongols behind them. On the sixteenth day, at dawn, a
(22:42):
breach in the wall was effected. The Mongols burst through
and drove out the inhabitants on the plain near Nessa.
Some were forced to bind others. When the hands of
each man were bound behind his back, the Mongols slaughtered
all who were there, seventy thousand in number. The ancient
city of Meru or Merv, renowned in Persian story and
still more in Sanskrit poems, was the first place attacked
(23:05):
by Tului with the main army. It was one of
the four ruling cities and the one which Melik Shah
and Sindjar, the Seljuk sultans, had favored. It stood on
a broad fertile plain through which flowed the Margab or
Bird River. When Mohammed fled from jinghis. He directed MERV
troops and officials to retire on Maraga, a neighboring fortress.
(23:28):
All people who remain must receive Mongol troops with submission.
This was his order. Mohammed's fear not his council remained
in that city. His governor, Bihai O Mulk, did not
think Maraga strong and found elsewhere a refuge. Some chiefs
returned to Mirv, others fled to distant places. The new governor,
(23:49):
a man of no value, declared for submission, and so
did the Mufti, but the judge and descendants of the
prophet demanded resistance. The governor lost his place soon and
was followed in office by a former incumbent named Mojor
O Moulk, who managed MERV matters till Tulleri appeared with
a four seventy thousand in number made up in some
part of captives. Next day he surrounded the outworks, and
(24:11):
within a week's time his whole army had enclosed. At
Doomed City February twelve twenty one, the besieged made two
sorties from different sides, but were hurled back each time
with great violence. The assailants then passed the whole night
near the ramparts, so that no living soul might escape them.
Mojor O Molk sent a venerable Amalm next morning to
(24:33):
visit headquarters. This holy man brought back such mild words
and fair speeches that the governor himself went to visit
the camp, bearing with him rich presents. Tulluis promised him
the office of governor and the lives of all citizens.
He gave him a rich robe of honor, and spoke
of the Governor's friends and adherents. I desire to attach
(24:53):
them to my person, said he, and confer on them
fiefs and high office. The governor sent for his friends
and adherents. When Tului had all these men in his power,
he bound them. He bound mojor ol Moolk also and
forced him to name the richest merv citizens. A list
was drawn up of two hundred great merchants and men
(25:13):
of much property, who were sent to the Mongols with
four hundred artisans. After this, the troops entered the city
and drove out the people. The command had been given
that each man must go forth with his family and
all he had of most value. The multitude spent four
whole days marching out of the city, Tului mounted a
gilded throne on a plain near the suburbs, and had
(25:36):
the war chiefs brought first to his presence. That done,
he commanded to hew off their heads in presence of
the immense, wailing multitude of people for whom no better
lot was in waiting. Men, women and children were torn
from one another, never to meet in this life. After
that day, the whole place was filled with groans, shrieks,
and wild terror. The people were given in groups to
(25:58):
divisions of the army, whose office it was to cut
them down to the last without pity or exception. Only
four hundred artisans were set aside, and some boys and
girls intended for servitude. Wealthy persons were tortured unsparingly till
they told where their treasures were hidden. When the treasures
were found, these men were slaughtered as well as the others.
The city was plundered to the utmost. The tomb of
(26:20):
the Sultan Sinjar was pillaged. The walls of the ancient
city and the fortress were made level with the country
about them. Before he left that city of carnage and terror,
Tullui appointed a governor one of the inhabitants whom he
had spared for some reason, and then he joined a
Mongol commandant to that man. When the army had marched
away to destroying the Shaper, about five hundred persons crept
(26:42):
forth from underground places of hiding, but short was the
breathing space given them. Mongol troops following Tului wished also
a share in the bloodshed. Halting outside the dark ruins,
they asked that these ill fated people bring wheat to
their campground. The unfortunates were sent and were slaughtered. This
corps cut down every man whom it met. In the
(27:03):
wake of Tulleri. Nishaper stood twelve days journey distant from
Merv and in attacking at Tului was preparing to avenge Tagikar.
His sister's husband killed at Nessa. The Nishaper people had
done what they could to the harm of the Mongols,
and had prepared to defend themselves with all the strength
of their souls and their bodies. They had mounted three
(27:24):
thousand ballistas on the walls and five hundred catapults. The
siege was begun by laying waste the whole province of
which Nishaper was the capital. Three thousand ballistas, three hundred catapults,
seven hundred machines to throw pots of burning naphtha, and
four thousand ladders were among the siege implements. At sight
(27:45):
of these and of the vast multitude of savage warriors
surrounding their city, the leaders felt courage go from them.
A deputation of notables, with the chief Judge of Cairassin,
went to offer tulluis submission and an annual tribute. Tului
refused every offer and held the judge captive. Next morning,
he rode round the walls and roused his troops to
(28:07):
the greatest endeavor. They attacked all sides at once, fighting
that day and the night following. In the morning, the
moats were full in the walls were seventy breeches. Ten
thousand Mongols had entered. New assailants rushed in from every side,
and there were desperate encounters at many points. Before that
day had ended, the city was occupied. The assailants took
(28:30):
terrible vengeance. Tagikhar's widow, one of Jinghis Khan's daughters, rushed
in herself with ten thousand warriors, who cut down all
before them. The slaughter continued four days without ceasing. The
Mongols destroyed every living thing. Even the cats and dogs
in the city were killed by them. April twelve, twenty one,
(28:51):
Tului had heard that in the destruction of merv many
persons had saved their lives by lying down among corpses.
So now he ordained that all heads be cut from
the bodies. Of these three pyramids were constructed, one of
men's heads, a second from heads of women, and a
third of children's heads. Fifteen days did destruction of the
city continue. The place disappeared altogether, and the Mongols sowed
(29:14):
barley on the side of it. Of the inhabitants, only
a few hundred men were left living. These were skilled artisans,
lest some should find refuge in underground places. Troops were
left near the ruins to slay all who might creep out.
Later on into daylight, the Mongol army marched now against
hero the last city left in Cairassin, the governor, who
(29:36):
had slain the envoys sent by Tului to summon the
place to surrender, exhorted all men to fight desperately, to
fight to the death. The struggle continued eight days, and
Herod fought with immense resolution and fury. On that day,
the governor fell and a small party sprang up, which
declared for submission. Tullui, knowing this state of mind in
(29:56):
the city, promised to spare the people if they would
submit to him straightway. The offer was accepted. He spared
all the citizens excepting twelve thousand devoted to jilo ud
Din the new sovereign, and appointed a Mohammedan governor with
a Mongol commandant to help him. Eight days later, Tului
received from Tailcan a command to go to his father.
(30:19):
While Tullui was ruining Cairassen, a small group of Turkmens Kancalis,
who were living near merv fearing the Mongols, moved westward and,
after some wandering in Asia Minor, settled at last nearing Gora,
under Ertigol, their tribe chieftain. They numbered in those days
four hundred and forty families. These Turkmens formed the nucleus
(30:39):
of the Ottoman Empire so famous in history until our day.
After he had destroyed Tailcan, Jingh has held his summer
camp for a time in the neighboring mountains. His sons
Jagatai and Ogotai, returned from Urgin and other ruined places
on the Oxus. Juchi went north of Lake Eril, and
in deep and unquenchable anger, began to establish the monarchy
(31:02):
of Kipchak, known later as the Golden Horde, and never
again saw his father jing His, learning toward the autumn
of twelve twenty one that Jeo Yudi Din had large
forces in Gasni, directed his march toward that city to
crush him. The Great Khan was detained a whole month
at Kurduan, a firm fortress, but he destroyed it at
(31:22):
last with all its defenders. He crossed the Hindu Kush
after that and besieged Bamyan, where he lost one grandson,
stricken dead by an arrow. This was Motogan, son of Jagatai.
To avenge this death, Bamian was stormed promptly and taken
Jinghi His would not have it in another way. The
command was given to leave nothing alive and take no
(31:44):
booty of any kind. Every living creature had to die,
and everything of value was broken or burned. Bamian was
renamed Mobilig, the city of Woe, and the region about
it was turned to a desert. A hundred years later
it contained no O inhabitants. Just after this destruction came
the news of Jilo Yudi Din's victory over a Mongol
(32:06):
division commanded by Katuku, who had been protecting the Khan's
operations and those of Tullui on the south side. This
victory was gained at Peruan, not far from the Bamian boundary.
It brought more harm to the victor, however, than prophet
for it caused a sudden rupture between his commanders, some
of whom deserted and led away many warriors with reduced ranks,
(32:28):
He was forced to fall back upon Gosni and thence
farther south when he heard that Jinghis was advancing rapidly
to avenge the defeat of Katuku his general. The Mongol
army reached Gosni fifteen days after its opponent had retreated.
Jinghis left a governor in the city and flew toward
the Indus with all the speed possible to horses when
men are sitting on them and urging them to the utmost.
(32:52):
But this time the great Mongol had to do with
a man of more metal than he had met in
his warfaring. Thus far, Jilo Yudi Din had gathered forces
from all sides. He sent urgent messages to the chiefs
who had left him, but though willing to return, they
had no chance to do so. At that day Jinghi
was between them and their leader. The Mongols urged forward
(33:13):
their horses with the energy of madmen. The great task
was to stop the young Shah from crossing the Indus
with his army and his harem. His wives and children
were all with him. Time was in this case pre
eminent in value. The Mongols pressed Gelo Yudi Din savagely,
but he was, as ever unterrified. Just before reaching the Indus,
(33:35):
he fell at night on the rear of his enemy's
vanguard and cut it down to a man. Very nearly
on reaching the river, there was no time to cross,
so the Shah ranged his army for battle. The left
wing was covered by a mountain which ended sheer in
the river. The mountain could not be turned and could
not be crossed, as the Shah thought it protected the
(33:56):
left from flank attack. Also, the Indus protected the right
from the flank movements, and jeal ud Din could be
met straight in front. Only his army was thirty thousand,
while that of his enemy was many times larger, and
now began the unequal and desperate encounter. The Shah's right wing,
to which he sent reinforcements, repeatedly repulsed the left wing
(34:18):
of the Mongols, and he himself broke Jing his Khan center.
For a time, the Mongol conqueror was in personal peril,
since a horse was killed under him in the struggle.
Jilo Yu d Din would have held his own and
perhaps one of victory, had not Belinoyan been sent with
ten thousand picked men to pass the mountain at all costs.
(34:38):
Over cliffs and on the edge of Abysses, The Mongols
crept carefully, pushing forward till at last they were in
the rear of the weakened left wing, and the center,
which attacked from rear in front, were pierced through and
forced out of contact with each other. Rallying seven thousand
men around him, Jio Yu d Din made a desperate
charge on the line of his enemy, which gave way
for some distance. Then he turned quick sprang on a
(35:01):
fresh horse, threw off his armor, and, spurring to the Indus,
leap from a bank given variously as from twenty to
sixty feet higher than the plain of the water. His
shield was at his shoulder and his standard in his hand.
Jing His, who spurred to the river bank swiftly and
gazed at his fleeing opponent, cried, how could Shah Mohammad
be the father of this man? The eldest son of
(35:23):
Jilo Yudi Din was a lad of eight years. He
with his brothers were tossed into the Indus and drowned
like superfluous puppies. Jingh His disposed of the harem and
treasures as pleased him. Jilo Yudi Din vanished then for
a time from the conflict, to appear later on in
various struggles till weakness, treachery in death put an end
(35:43):
to him. Mongol generals crossed the river and pursued, but
returned after fruitless endeavors. Jinghis marched up the right bank
of the Indus in a spring of twelve twenty two
and sent his son O Gotai to take Gosni and
destroy it. Here, as in most other places, the inhabitants
were sent from the city as it were to be counted,
(36:04):
but were slaughtered most brutally. None were spared except artisans.
An army corps was sent also to Ruin Herod, the
one city left in Cairascin Herod, had risen in revolt
on hearing of the Peruan triumph over Mongols. The people
had had such action in view since the time of surrender,
and had stored away arms and supplies under pretext that
(36:24):
they were for Mongol use should the need come. Not
far from Herod was the Calian fortress, known later on
as Neridu. To reach this strong place, men had to
pass single file on the high, narrow ridge of a
mountain which resembled the back of a colossal hog of
the razorback species. The place was beyond reach of arrows
or of stones sent by catapults. Though they had attacked
(36:47):
Calian twice, the Mongols had failed in their efforts to
take it. The Klian men, fearing lest they might come
a third time and impress hera people, had planned to
involve that strong and wealthy city, which would then have
one cause with them. They sent letters to the Mongol
governors ruling in Herod's stating, we are ready to surrender,
but fear Mongol rigor we beg for a written safe conduct.
(37:12):
The governors answered that they would give such a letter
and advised the petitioners to visit the city and come
to them. This was all that the other men needed,
So seventy strong warriors went down from Calian disguised as
simple hucksters. They had arms covered up in the packs
which they carried. They entered the city, each man by himself,
combined later on and slew both the governors. Herot rose
(37:35):
immediately and killed every partisan of the Mongols, in addition
to his own men. The Mongol commander led now fifty
thousand impressed from conquered places. A siege followed soon in
a desperate resistance. Six months and seventeen days did it
last till the fall of the city. The sword was
turned then on all save the choice youth of both sexes.
(37:59):
For one week the more Mongols slew, pillaged, burned, ruined.
It was said that one million, six hundred thousand people
perished in the conflict and subsequent slaughter. Jinghis received the
richest of the plunder, and with it went several thousands
of youthful captives. When Herod was destroyed, the commander went
back to the main army. Somewhat later. Troops were sent
(38:20):
to capture all who might have escaped and appeared in
the ruins, they found about two thousand. These they slew
and then returned to those who had sent them. Sixteen
persons took refuge on a steep mountain peak, and when
they saw no Mongols coming back, they went down to Herod.
A few others came also and joined them. There was
(38:41):
then a new population forty persons in number. Their only
refuge was the chief mosque of the city. After its
terrible ruin, Mirv had been repeopled to some extent, But
later five thousand Mongols were sent to that city, and
they slaughtered all whom they found in it. When these
five thousand had dined, when their work thoroughly, a commandant,
(39:01):
a k Melik, was left with the order to kill
all who might reappear in the ruins. This man did
his best to find people and slay them. He sent
muesens to summon to prayer from the minarets. Whenever a
Moslem crept out of his hiding place and entered the mosque,
he was seized and his life taken. Forty one days
did a k Melick lurk there and wait for more people.
(39:24):
The survivors were few when he left the ruins Mirv
remained a sad desert till the days of Shah Rak,
son of Tamerlane. Genius cut down on the banks of
the Indus all who had been faithful to Jilo yud Din,
the new Shah, and now he destroyed all who had deserted.
That sovereign had been foolishly treacherous. On deserting Jilo yud Din.
(39:45):
Agrach had gone with Ozum to Beckerhar. After a visit there,
he set out for Peshore, and from the first halting
place sent back this message, let not my mortal enemy
remain in that country. This enemy was Nu Jotter, the
chief of five over six thousand college families. Ozum sent
back this answer. Never has there been among Moslem such
(40:06):
need as there now is not to quarrel, And taking
an escort of fifty Ozum followed to make peace between
a Grak and Jotter. He could not move a Grack
or persuade him. They ate together and also drank wine.
A Gak's brain grew excited. He mounted, took one hundred men,
and rowed to the camp of the collages. Jotter, thinking
(40:27):
that a Gak wished peace, rode forth with his son
to greet him. On seeing his enemy, a Grach drew
his saber as if to strike, and was cut down
by Jotter's men. The next moment, when a Gak's adherents
heard that their leader had been slain, they thought that
Jotter and Ozam had plotted his ruin, and right away
they slew Ozam. Then they attacked Jotter's camp, where they
(40:48):
massacred him and his children. Soon after this they encountered
the Germen and killed a great number. As a close
to this tragic insanity of action, a corps of mounted
Mongols fell upon all and slew them indiscriminately. A small
remnant fled in various directions
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