The Battle of Mohi - How the Mongols Conquered the Kingdom of Hungary
The Mongol Invasion of Europe. Map Source: https://fx.substack.com/p/today-in-european-history-the-battle-b28
Fought on April 11, 1241, the Battle of Mohi (also known as the Battle of Sajó River) was the culmination of the Mongol attacks on the Kingdom of Hungary. Led by Batu Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan, and commanded by Subutai, the Mongols defeated the Hungarians and quickly overran the country, burning down the city of Pest and taking control of the Hungarian plain. The ruler of Hungary, King Bela IV, narrowly escaped. The battle was part of the much larger Mongol invasion of Europe that saw victories over Vulga Bulgaria, Cumania, and Kievan Rus. It was also part of a two-pronged invasion into eastern Europe that included Mongol victory over fragmented Poland at the Battle of Legnica on April 9, 1241.
In 1223, as the Mongols began their expansion into Europe, they defeated a coalition of Rus forces that included the Cumans, at the Battle of the Kalka River. The Cumans fled, eventually being allowed to resettle in the Kingdom of Hungary. The Mongols considered the Cumans their slaves and were angered when King Bela IV refused to give them up. But, despite Mongol intimidation, and their continued expansion into Central Europe, hardly anyone in Hungary considered the Mongols a serious threat to their security.
As the Mongols reached the Kingdom of Hungary, they split their forces into three, sending Kaidu Khan north toward Poland, and Kadan Khan south toward Transylvania, while Batu Khan and Subatai controlled the main forces. Batu and Subatai then began their march toward central Hungary defeating numerous small contingents along the way. Meanwhile, the Hungarians set up their defenses just south of Mohi at the Sajó River. The main Mongol force reached the eastern banks of the Sajó River on April 10, 1241. That night, they attempted to cross the narrow bridge but were forced back by Hungarian crossbowmen. The Hungarians, thinking they had won a major victory, returned to camp to celebrate, leaving only minor numbers to defend the bridge.
Early in the morning of April 11, the Mongols attempted to cross the bridge again, this time supported by stone-throwing catapults. The catapults forced the Hungarian defenders back, allowing throngs of Mongolian forces to cross. Meanwhile, unknown to the Hungarians, Subutai led a force of 30,000 soldiers south of the main assault to a point where they eventually crossed the river using an emergency makeshift bridge. The Hungarians brought their entire force out from camp to engage the main Mongol forces. At first, they were successful, pinning the Mongols against the river. However, after a delay, Subutai attacked the Hungarians from the south and rear and forced them to retreat to their camp. The Mongols pursued and then surrounded the camp, intentionally leaving an open lane for their enemy to retreat. When the Hungarians made their retreat through the opening, they were annihilated by Mongol forces.
The Mongols continued from Mohi to Pest where they burned the city to the ground. They then moved into the lowland areas, devastating the Great Hungarian Plain. It is estimated that in the Battle of Mohi, the Hungarians lost 60,000 soldiers while in the aftermath one-quarter of the Hungarian population was killed. The Mongols, however, did not remain long in Hungary. Months later, after the death of Ogedei Khan, the Mongol leaders were recalled to Karakorum, the Mongol capital, to select a new leader. After the withdrawal of Mongol forces, King Bela IV returned to fortify and rebuild his country, eventually earning him the nickname “the second founder of Hungary.”
The Sky Worshipers by F.M. Deemyad is a historical novel that brings history to life, sharing with readers events like the Battle of Mohi from the perspective of those who lived it. Below is an excerpt from the novel—a journal entry by Krisztina, one of the captive princesses who felt compassion for the lands and people conquered by her captors, the Mongols.
Entry by Krisztina:
Sadness in Sunset Street
Easter brought with it a solar eclipse the likes of which had not been seen in many years in Hungary. The Magyars perceived the covering of the sun as an omen portending the horrors that would lie ahead. Overnight a layer of ice had sugarcoated the otherwise dirt roads and alleys of Napnyugta or Sunset Street. Candles were lit in the houses and cottages as the pale sun began to melt on the horizon.
The imminent war was on everyone’s mind. Not a war in some distant land, but right where it threatened the tranquility of Napnyugta. It crept its way into conversations, it cast a shadow of gloom on otherwise happy faces, and it made well-prepared meals distasteful. The inhabitants could smell the stench of the dreaded six-letter word haboru (war) in every corner of their country that seemed to be shrinking in size with the passage of each day, as the shadow of the invading aliens loomed larger.
“Stop crying for God’s sake. You are spoiling our dinner. It is a sin to be ungrateful before God’s bounty. We have food on our table, a roof over our heads, and a fire burning in the hearth to keep us warm,” the man said, frustrated.
It was too late, however; the mother’s contagious tears had already afflicted little Natalia and droplets of it were forming pools by her plate of goulash.
“I cannot help it,” her mother said looking utterly miserable. “Aurelian is our only son. He is old enough to be married and to have a family of his own, not to be dragged to that slaughterhouse.”
“It’s not a slaughterhouse. It’s the war front, and he has a duty toward his country,” The man countered.
“Well, the country hasn’t done enough for me to repay it with my son’s blood,” the mother retorted like a tigress protecting her young.
“Calm down, my pet. Why do you always assume the worst? Not all who go to war get killed or injured. He could return a hero and marry a girl of his… or your dreams,” he said, apparently unable to hold back the sarcasm.
He then added more gently, “You remember when at barely twelve he came down with a bad case of pox. You were about to lose your mind over the matter. But he survived with only a few pockmarks on his skin which to me makes him more handsome than ever.”
His reassuring talk brought a faint smile to her lips, but the trepidation lingered on her face.
The defeat of the Polish army in the Battle of Legnica had had its effect on the psyche of the Hungarians. The rhythmic sounds of approaching Mongol hordes and their victory chants of urra sent waves of terror throughout the Continent.
Inhabitants of cities subconsciously realized that like a deadly game of chance there would be those who would be spared and those who would suffer. When looking at one another’s faces, the Magyars wondered who was marked to die by the hands of destiny and who was to be spared the pangs of death. It appeared as if everyone felt watched, bared, void of protection, vulnerable like slugs unable to find their shells. Under such circumstances, no one can dream of a future; minds become stagnant, ideas wither; souls feel empty, social life becomes extinct.
Terror not yet materialized shattered nerves, paralyzed otherwise fighting men and brought daily activities to a halt. Agriculture suffered, industry stood still, craftsmen no longer cared to pursue their trade, men were inclined to remain indoors, trust among them vanished, culture languished, and religion became the rope to which people clung for solace in hopes of an intervention by Providence.
