Khwarazmian

Persian-Iranian till overthrow from S/E . Still had title of Shah. 1042 Seljuks take over . Eventually becomes a periphery of the Seljuks. 1115: Khwarazm decided to dream of independence, rebelled but was put down. Muhammad 1 of Khwarazm had to put down rebellion. His son decided to rebel, became a vassal of Seljuks. Il-Arslan 1160s had to pay tribute to both Seljuks and Kara Khitai (east). Eventually Il-Arslan peace with Seljuks. Kara Khatai Invasion and Civil war, because of two sons. End of war 1193, Sultan Shah died, Tekish, the other brother ended up lead.

Khwarazmians became allies to the Abasid to fight the Seljuks to the west, defeated the Seljuks at Battle of Rai (1194). The Khwarazms threatened against the Abbassids, leader of khwarazm was recognized. Muhammad 2 of Khwarazm had to deal with tensions between Turkic garrisons and Iranian natives. Tried to sieze Afghanistan against Ghurids who in turn conquered until Ganges. Muh of Kh failed and needed to ask for help but slowly managed to get Afgh back until 1215.

Khara Khitai war: Fought against them because they were buddhist. They managed to handle an internal revolt, khz ended up winning a lot and annexed Transoxiana. Eventually created instability in Kara Khitai. Muhammad ended up the rebellious king.

Mongols

1216: Diplomatic contact with the to open trade and investigate mongol conquest of Chinese cities. Mongols had to negotiate with them because khz were on . Reports came that Mongols were masters of siegecraft, 60k Chinese women had to flee the embattlements to avoid capture.

Jochi and Subitai were caught of guard by the khz just after a war, outnumbered mong 3:1. said no quarrel with khz. Both Jochi and Muhammad II were close to killed/captured. Uncertain whether this battle was before or after dipl contact.

Muh-II tried invading Persia but his army froze crossing the Zagros. Kara Khitai was unstable so they took protection from Genghis' rival Kukliq. Kara Khitai completely taken over by Mongols.

DIPL: mongols wanted to be at peace with the Khz, wanted trade and peace. Muh2 distrusted Mongols OR lacked control over subordinates. Mongols sent treasure caravan but one of his underlings killed everyone and took treasure for himself. Mongols demanded Inalchuq's head (Muh2's uncle).

Politics/Religion Most of his empire was sunni, but shiites were mostly in . Can't declare jihad against Mongols because Caliph won't allow it. Less religious freedom than the mongols, for a lot of people the Mongols were seen as liberators.

War

1219: Invasion with all 4 sons, three armies. Khz vulnerable to forces that could cross rivers and deserts; very vulnerable from North.

Khz were armed with bows/pikes, cavalry. Heavier and stronger but slower. Ghurid infantry from Afghanistan were able to create a defense against arrows. Most men were mercs.

Revision #4 Created Sun, Jul 11, 2021 11:09 AM by Alexandar

Updated Sun, Jul 11, 2021 11:47 AM by Alexandar