The Mongols were one of the most powerful
empires in human history, having terrorized Eastern Europe, taken over China, the wealthiest
country in Asia, and battled the Mamluks in Egypt, in addition to conquering Baghdad. They were also the largest contiguous land
empire in the world. Despite these impressive achievements and
their fearsome reputation, however, the Mongols were unable to conquer India. What were the reasons that prevented the Mongols? Was it because they lacked the resources,
or were they concerned about the possibility of facing resistance from the Indian Empire? This video will explore the actual factors
that played a role in their decision not to invade India. Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire had a maximum territory of nine million square miles. They ruled over a fifth of the world's population. The Mongols were pastoral nomads who tended
sheep, goats, horses, camels, and yaks across the Asian steppe. These tribes were nomadic and resided in gers,
which were temporary camps made of circular felt tents. Mongol tribes were then highly mobile by nature,
used to a hard life, and taught from an early age to ride horses and fire bows. These traits would enable them to become superb
soldiers who could withstand protracted and difficult campaigns, swiftly cover large areas
of ground, and survive on the barest essentials. Even the women's role in setting up camps
and carrying out transportation duties aided the Mongol army by giving their husband’s
troops the necessary logistical support. The Empire of Mongol was a formidable force
in history, famous for its exceptional military strategy and tactics, as well as its ruthless
warriors who were often referred to as the "horsemen of the Devil." Their reputation for being an unbeatable fighting
force was well-earned, as they could easily dispatch enemy cavalry, swordsmen, and archers
using their lancers, and no technology or weapon could match them. Although led by lowly steppe villagers, they
were prosperous because they were skilled at using the latest technology available. All of these conflicts were embodied in the
Mongol Empire, which eventually grew to become the second-largest kingdom in history. Genghis Khan, also known as Chinggis Khan,
established the Mongol Empire, which he ruled from 1206 until his death in 1227. Previously referred to as Temujin, but later
became known as Genghis Khan, which probably means "universal ruler”. He was a brilliant warrior and tyrant who
united all the Mongolian nomadic tribes under his and his family's control in a strict military
state after beginning his rule in obscurity and insignificance. He then began a series of campaigns of pillage
and conquest that eventually carried the Mongol armies as far as the Adriatic Sea in one direction
and the Pacific coast of China in the other, leading to the establishment of the great
Mongol Empire. Millions of innocent people, according to
medieval chroniclers, were killed in his terror operations because of his utter brutality
toward his enemies. The primary weapon of Mongol armies was cavalry,
which gave them a tremendous degree of mobility and speed. Signals and a well-run messenger service controlled
their actions and movements. When engaged in combat, they mostly used bows
and arrows and only switched to man-to-man combat once the enemy's numbers had been dispersed. Mongol tactics and weapons were better suited
to broad plains and level terrain than to mountainous and forested areas. They frequently enlisted the help of artisans
and engineers from technologically sophisticated captured peoples, such as the Chinese, Persians,
and Arabs, to assist in the siege of walled cities. The clever employment of spies and propaganda
was another aspect that contributed to the resounding success of their campaigns. In most cases, they made an offer of peace
and requested a voluntary surrender before attacking. The people were protected if this was agreed
to. However, if the opposition had to be defeated,
it was always followed by mass execution or at the very least, enslavement, sparing only
individuals whose unique talents or skills were deemed beneficial. Chinggis' military tactics revealed his proficiency
in combat. The "faked withdrawal" was one of Genghis'
favorite strategies. He would have his soldiers depart the area,
pretending to have lost, although they were still fighting. The enemy forces would immediately understand
that they had fallen into a trap as they pursued the troops that appeared to be fleeing because
entire detachments of men in armor or cavalries would arrive out of nowhere and overpower
them. Invasion to India
The richest nation in global history, India, was located across the river. A nation with incredible wealth. A country that produced more than a third
of the global GDP. A place where potential invaders fantasized
about setting foot. Northern India was dominated at the time by
Shams ud-Din Iltutmish, the third sultan of the Turkic Mamluk dynasty. From 1221 to 1327, the Mongol Empire launched
a number of invasions into the Indian subcontinent. Millions of people were killed as a result
of the Mongols' destruction of cities and wreaking havoc on the Indian people during
this time. Their goals were simple and clear, it was
to extract tributes and wealth from the nations they had conquered, as well as to take from
them the most advanced technology and the most attractive women for their harem and
the strongest men for their army. Prior to launching an attack on a nation,
they would insist that the country fulfill all of these requirements. Before really attacking any nation, they would
demand all of this from that country. In total, the Chagatai Khanate's Mongols invaded
India four times: in 1241, 1245, 1257, and 1285. The Delhi Sultanate, which repelled these
assaults, is said to have recorded this in the past. Earlier than that, Jalaluddin, the predecessor
of the Delhi Sultanate, had to withstand a Mongol invasion. The Khwarazmian Empire (1216-1221)
The Khwarazmian Empire, which today's Pakistan and Afghanistan were part of, was conquered
by the Mongols for the first time in India in 1221. A series of raids by Mongol soldiers into
India began with this invasion. The Mongols mostly attacked prosperous, densely
populated areas like Delhi and other important commerce centers. During their invasions, they not only looted
the wealth from these settlements but also killed tens of thousands of people. From 1219 to 1221, the Mongols invaded Khwarezmia. The Turco-Persian Empire, which could brag
of having a sizable horse army, had made several provocative movements against the Mongol Empire. It is said that Shah Muhammad II, emperor
of the Khwarazmian Empire, assassinated a trade delegation that Genghis Khan had dispatched
to the Persian regions after humiliating them first. In reality, the Mongol Empire had no intention
of attacking the Khwarezmid Empire at first. Juvaini who is a Persian historian and an
official of the Mongol state claims that Genghis Khan first addressed Sultan Muhammad Aladdin,
the ruler of the Khwarezmid Empire, with a letter greeting him on being on an equal footing
and stating, "We now have the obligations of neighbors. Human wisdom requires that both sides walk
the path of concord and observe the duties of friendship." However, the Governor of Otrar rejected the
mission and, with Sultan's approval, had all 450 of them executed. Months later, when Genghis Khan learned of
this tragedy, he was so furious that he invaded using it as a justification. The Mongol commander gathered between 90,000
and 200,000 warriors and launched his invasion of Khwarezmian territory in the year 1219,
furious at such provocations. Cities like Khorasan, Herat, and Nishapu were
utterly destroyed by the Mongols, who left a vast trail of destruction in the years that
followed. Juvaini claims that although the Mongols only
carried out a single wave of executions in Khwarezm and Transoxiana, they systematically
wiped out a significant number of the populations in the cities of Khorasan. As a result, the Mongols gained a reputation
for being ruthless and bloodthirsty, which would characterize the rest of their campaigns. The fallen Khwarazmian emperor was now within
striking distance of Genghis Khan and his Great Mongol army. It would have been easy for them to march
into India, capture Jalal al-Din, and even capture the Delhi Sultanate. Genghis Khan, however, decided against doing
so. His refusal to use his army, which at the
time was the most powerful and lethal fighting force in the world, against India has baffled
historians for many centuries. Having come so close to India's boundaries,
why did Genghis Khan decide to turn around and withdraw all the way back to Mongolia? Bad Omen (Talking Rhinoceros)
After his remarkable victory over the Khwarezmian Empire, several academics and historians think
that a terrible omen might have discouraged the Mongol commander from entering the Indian
subcontinent. Temujin, as Genghis Khan was known at that
time, was raised as a lowly nomad in the foothills of Mongolia and learned to admire nature in
all its splendor from those around him. But after his father was killed, Temujin's
normal life was snatched away from him. From that point on, his life would be marked
by gore and bloodshed, as well as a steadfast faith in nature that he had cultivated over
the years. Yelu Cucai, a self-described mystic of sorts,
was one of the only persons whose life Genghis Khan personally spared when he conquered China. As their relationship became stronger over
time, Cucai joined Genghis' envoy whenever the Mongols went on a campaign. One of Cucai's responsibilities was to discern
signs and omens and explain their meanings to Genghis. Given that his lord was a conqueror, Cucai
frequently watered his readings to provide the Khan with binary choices in response to
his one and only question of whether he would win the fight he was about to engage in. Over the course of the Mongols' conquests
of Asia and Europe, almost all of Cucai's prophecies came true, earning the Khan's blind
faith in him. According to Chinese tradition, Genghis Khan
spoke at length with Cucai about his misgivings about invading India a fortnight after the
battle on the Indus River. Then, in the middle of the night, when the
Khan had fallen asleep and Cucai was the only person awake in the Mongol camp, a mysterious,
white animal on a unicorn dashed toward him. According to mythology, the creature spoke
with Cucai and advised him to warn Genghis Khan to stay away from India if he wanted
to preserve his legendary, undefeated run of wins. Cucai told Genghis about the encounter the
following morning, and he made the decision to go back home without giving it any thought. According to other versions, the evil omen
manifested itself as a talking rhinoceros. The Objective Monitoring of Regional Affairs
by the Delhi Sultanate The foreign policy of the Delhi Sultanate's
leaders is reported to have greatly pleased Genghis Khan. Genghis Khan was only left alone by the Indian
emperors during his invasion of China and Persia. In addition, Shah Jalal al-Din, the fleeing
ruler of Khwarazm, was refused any protection or assistance by the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. The Turco-Persian king assembled what remained
of his disheartened bodyguards and escaped into the Delhi Sultanate in 1221 after suffering
a terrible loss at the Battle of the Indus. He was stunned to find that the Indian kings
there, with whom he had some cultural ties, made no offers to provide him refuge or assistance
with the troops. Delhi king Iltutmish, like Inalchuq and Muhammad
II, had heard accounts of the Mongols' brutal nihilism, therefore he was aware of the Khwarezmian-Mongol
battle and terrified of Genghis Khan's wrath falling upon the Sultanate. He believed that turning down Genghis' enemy's
request for refuge would help avert danger. Genghis Khan had no motive to invade India
because the Turkic Mamluk kings of northern India kept their excellent relations with
him by refraining from interfering with the Mongol conquest of the area. According to some sources, Delhi king Iltutmish
paid the Mongols extravagant tributes to deter them from approaching India. Then why didn't Genghis Khan go after Jalal-ad-Din
and kill him? The simple explanation is that Jalal-ad-Din
had nothing left to lose after his Empire and army were shattered. He was no longer an entity. He just remained a Shah in the name. He would never pose a serious threat once
more. Even more significantly when there was a Chinese
betrayal to revenge, pursuing him after his army was wiped out was futile. India's Harsh Heat and Humidity The fact that the Mongols were aware of the
practical boundaries of what their force could and could not do contributed to their extraordinary
success. The weather in India is completely different
from the weather in Mongolia. As opposed to chilly and dry, that is hot
and wet. In most of India, Genghis Khan's troops—horses
and men—would have endured excruciating suffering. The Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great,
who was also within touching distance of India in 326 BC, may have been stopped in his tracks
for the same reason that Genghis Khan refrained from attacking that country. Scholars assert that the Mongol army found
it challenging to march on the Delhi Sultanate due to the extremely warm and muggy weather
in India. Remember that the Mongols were not accustomed
to India's occasionally severe weather because they were from a chilly climate. The Mamluk rulers of India, like the Mongols,
came from a somewhat cool climate, which is the counterargument to this reason. And if the Mamluks managed to conquer India
despite the oppressive heat and humidity, why couldn't Genghis Khan's far more deadly
army conquer India? Due to their extreme sensitivity to humidity,
Mongolian bows were essentially worthless in the hot environment of India. In this situation, range and power deteriorated
greatly. The Mongolians and their horses' bodies weren't
adapted to the weather, which caused them to become ill. Mongols' Adherence to Several Religions
The majority of the Mongols who lived in India were Tibetan Buddhists. This is due to the fact that the Mongol Empire,
under the leadership of Genghis Khan, had conquered Tibet in the thirteenth century
and that, particularly under Kublai Khan, its rulers had come to prefer Tibetan Buddhism
above other types of Buddhism. It was also widely recognized that Buddhism,
which originated in India, had a long history of influence in Mongolia. Even Genghis Khan's grandson Kublai Khan took
up Buddhism, making it nearly the official state religion throughout his rule. This influence led numerous Mongol warriors
and kings to the Indian subcontinent, where they adopted Tibetan Buddhism as their main
religion. As a result, some historians say that Genghis
Khan refrained from invading India purely out of respect for the country as the home
of two important religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, which he revered. However, the Mamluk emperors of India at the
time did not regard those religions with the same degree of devotion. Actually, the Turkic Mamluks were notorious
for persecuting Buddhists and Hindus in their lands. These two religions were to be exterminated
in Afghanistan and India. Why then didn't Genghis Khan invade India,
overthrow those rulers, and then ensure the safety of Buddhists and Hindus? Genghis Khan may have considered the countless
innocent Indians who would have perished in the event of an invasion, many of whom were
Buddhists and Hindus. The Vengeful Mentality of Genghis Khan Genghis Khan engaged in a number of military
campaigns, and upon short inspection, one soon discerns a faint pattern among them. Some have said that the warlord primarily
attacked a territory in order to exact vengeance. The ruthless conquest of the Khwarezmian Empire
was primarily undertaken as revenge for the Shah ruler's repeated provocations. He even invaded the Karkitai Empire in retribution
for the destruction of a Mongol city and the murder of his grandson-in-law. He attacked the Jin Empire and the Western
Xia Empire in retribution for the murder of his relative Ambaghai and for centuries of
Chinese intrusion and crimes. He invaded the Western Xia once more as a
consequence of their betrayal. Khan's conquests were usually motivated by
retaliation. He only engaged in combat when there were
adequate reasons to do so. Genghis Khan could have easily crossed the
Indus River after his stunning victory over the Khwarezmian Empire at the battle of Indus
in 1221 and destroyed the Delhi Sultanate of India, a very rich region. He could have done it, but he decided against
it for a variety of reasons, primary among them being his good relations with the northern
Indian kings. Genghis Khan was thought to be a moral leader
who had no grudges against the Delhi Sultanate. He had not been wronged by the Indians in
any manner, shape, or form. He thus lacked a convincing motive to violate
his morals and conquer India. Rebellion in China One probable explanation for the Mongol army's
decision not to invade India is the fact that they learned of an enormous revolt against
their rule in Western Xia in China just as they were about to cross the Indus River. Genghis Khan was forced to delay his invasion
of the subcontinent in order to put an end to such uprisings. Genghis Khan had a lot on his plate at the
moment, thus the invasion was essentially postponed rather than suspended. After returning to China with his forces,
Genghis Khan invaded the Western Xia Empire. By 1227, the area had been retaken. The Jin Empire had also rebelled against him,
so he then made plans to invade it once more. Since Genghis Khan passed away in 1227 while
putting an end to the revolt in Western Xia, it was his forebears who invaded India in
1241. In order to invade the Jin dynasty from the
south, it has also been claimed that Genghis Khan sought a path through the Himalayas. To identify a suitable route, he thought about
pushing across northern India. He gave up on the notion of conquering India
when he was unable to find a route. India’s Military Preparedness
Due to the Sultanate's military preparedness during Ghiyas-ud-din Balban's (1266–1287)
rule, the Mongols were mostly prevented from invading India. Balban took action to fortify his army after
realizing the threat the Mongols represented. These actions included expanding recruitment
and training, setting up infantry divisions, and creating horse detachments. In order to keep the Mongol forces from crossing
the Indus River, which served as a natural barrier, he also constructed forts in key
sites along the river's course. The Mongol assaults on India were prevented
by enhanced defense. Because of the cessation of massive assaults,
the Mongols were unable to cross the Indus River. View on Wealth The Mongol Empire possessed an abundance of
wealth. Genghis Khan had a natural intuition that
too much money would cause his people to lose their enthusiasm and unwavering discipline
which made them unique. He simply did not have a compelling enough
cause to invade India, despite the fact that the rulers of Delhi had incredible wealth. Although India had a major power in the Sultanate
and its wealth, Genghis was too wise to invade a country with such a fragmented political
landscape as India because, even if he succeeded in seizing control of the Sultanate, other
regional forces would be forced to attack Delhi and seize what they could, giving the
Mongols more rivals to deal with. Conclusion/Summary
The Mongol invasions of India had a significant impact on the Subcontinent’s history. The Delhi Sultanate was never completely conquered
by the Mongols, and they never acquired control of India. Men who currently rule Pakistan and Kashmir
were free from Mongol dominance in 1235. Even though the two factions had some political
relations, they were never united under a single monarch or administration. Due to the Mongols’ ability to establish
their presence and win control over local rulers in some areas, the Mongol invasions
also caused a change in the balance of power in northern India. Despite the fact that the Mongols did not
entirely conquer India, their incursions had a significant impact on its history and politics. By 1327, local authorities had joined together
to fight back against them. However, despite this success, many regions
are still working to recover from the effects of these invasions decades later. Overall, it is evident that the Mongol invasions
were a disastrous event for India because they resulted in millions of deaths or evictions. These catastrophes also hindered India's economic
development for centuries because a large portion of its infrastructure was destroyed
during the time.
