The Mongols had been steadily expanding their empire for several decades, and by the time of the Battle of Ain Jalut, they had already conquered much of Central Asia and parts of Eastern Europe. In the Middle East, they defeated the Seljuk Turks and established a puppet government in Baghdad. In 1258, Hulagu Khan, the brother of the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, invaded the region and captured Baghdad, slaughtering many of its inhabitants. The Mamluk Army The Mamluks, a military elite made up of former slave soldiers, have gained control of Egypt and Syria and are determined to resist Mongol rule. Under the leadership of Sultan Qutuz, they gather an army of heavily-armored cavalry and infantry and march to meet the Mongols at Ain Jalut, a spring in the southeastern Galilee near the present-day city of Beit She'an, Israel, and what is known today as the Spring of Goliath. The opposing forces met at Ain Jalut on September 3, 1260, both sides numbering about 20,000 men. The Mongol Army General Kitbuka, led the Mongol forces near the river Jordan and was attacked by Baibars’ vanguard of Mameluk riders. As the Mongols were advancing, some of their cavalry started to clash with the Mamluks over a ridge. Without a line of sight, Kitbuka sent more cavalry to push back the Mamluks. Baibars, a Mamluk general and rival of Sultan Qutuz, slowly retreats under Mongol pressure but was able to keep the ranks together, firing on the Mongols and slowing their advance. Hidden in the trees and hills nearby, Qutuz waited for the enemy to come to him. Baibars retreats with the vanguard and rejoins the main Mamluk force. But Kitbuka orders an all-out assault before Baibars can merge with the Mamluk army. In reaction, Qutuz orders his right wing to attack the Mongols. Kitbuka, on the other hand, withdraws his army while firing arrows from horseback, giving the impression of defeat but Qutuz stays put recognizing the feigned retreat tactic. Changing his tactic, Kitbuka orders the bulk of his army to attack the Mamluks hoping to break it and surround the enemy. The Mamluk right flank The Mamluk left flank The Mongols, their faces contorted with determination and rage. charge toward the Mamluk army with their superior cavalry and mounted archers. The sounds of battle filled the air, and the clash of swords and the cries of the wounded echoed across the battlefield. The Mamluk right flank This tactic seems to work as the Muslims are giving ground on the left flank. The Mamluk infantry, armed with spears, shields, and swords, played a crucial supporting role in the battle. They formed a protective barrier for the cavalry and helped to repel the Mongol cavalry when they tried to break through the Mamluk lines. The soldiers on both sides of the Battle of Ain Jalut were faced with grueling conditions on the battlefield. The Mamluk left flank The hot sun beat down on them as they clashed in hand-to-hand combat their swords ringing out as they struck against one another. The Mamluk left flank began collapsing. Qutuz rushes towards the left and rallies his troops shouting ‘’Oh Islam’’ managing to stabilize the fighting lines. With their superior tactics and discipline, the Mamluks can hold their ground and eventually drive the Mongols back. The Mamluk left wing begins pushing back the Mongols as they were reinforced. The Mamluk right flank Soon, the Mamluk right wing also began pushing the Mongols toward the center. The courage and relentless attacks of the Muslims allow Baibars and Qutuz to surround the entire Mongol army as Kitbuka refused to retreat. Many Mongols perished as they try to flee the battlefield. And with that final blow, Qutuz emerges victorious, leading the Mamluk forces to victory against the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut. This decisive victory marked the first time the Mongols were defeated in battle and saved the Muslim world from Mongol conquest. Thanks for joining us on this epic journey through history on Aditu Laudis. We hope you were captivated by the tale of the Battle of Ain Jalut and the remarkable figures who led their armies to victory. Make sure to stay tuned for more exciting episodes, as we explore the most epic battles and greatest rulers of all time. If you want to help us out even more, there are a few simple things you can do to improve the chances of our videos being recommended to other viewers. First, make sure to like and comment on our videos as this helps the algorithm understand that our content is engaging and relevant. You can also help us out by subscribing to our channel and hitting the notification bell so you never miss a new video. And if you really want to go the extra mile you can share our videos with your friends and on social media. Every little bit helps, and we really appreciate your support! Thank you!
