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Description
While returning from their victory over the Merkit-Kipchak forces in western Kazakhstan, Jochi, eldest son of Chinggis Khan, and star Mongol general Subutai, encountered Shah Muhammad II of the Khwarezmian Empire and his army. Jochi and Subutai requested free passage, for they were not at war with the Khwarezm-Shah and uninterested in opening a new front while the Jin Empire in China still stood. The Shah however, due to his arrogance and pride, and distrust that the Mongols would not raid his territory, chose to battle them. In the ensuing conflict at Quyli, along the Irtish River in late 1218/early 1219, an inconclusive battle was fought. The Mongols were outnumbered perhaps 3:1 (60,000 Khwarezmians vs 20,000 Mongols) but the Mongols fought ferociously, and the outcome was uncertain by nightfall, though it is likely the Khwarezmian numbers were telling. Jochi and Subutai slipped away in the night, informing Chinggis Khan of Muhammad's attack. Infamously, Chinggis' envoys and trade caravans (possibly concurrent to this battle, or taking place afterwards) would be attacked and killed by the Khwarezmians, ultimately leading to the Mongol invasion of the Khwarezmian Empire, leading to the utter destruction of Shah Muhammad's kingdom.

Shah Muhammad is in blue with the purple armour, while Jochi has the green deel (robes) and Subutai rides behind him. Probably, they did not literally meet face to face as depicted here, discussing instead through messengers and translators, but how could I resist the cinematic of such a drawing?

To learn more about these battles and campaigns, check out my latest video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FJTnC…

Description
While returning from their victory over the Merkit-Kipchak forces in western Kazakhstan, Jochi, eldest son of Chinggis Khan, and star Mongol general Subutai, encountered Shah Muhammad II of the Khwarezmian Empire and his army. Jochi and Subutai requested free passage, for they were not at war with the Khwarezm-Shah and uninterested in opening a new front while the Jin Empire in China still stood. The Shah however, due to his arrogance and pride, and distrust that the Mongols would not raid his territory, chose to battle them. In the ensuing conflict at Quyli, along the Irtish River in late 1218/early 1219, an inconclusive battle was fought. The Mongols were outnumbered perhaps 3:1 (60,000 Khwarezmians vs 20,000 Mongols) but the Mongols fought ferociously, and the outcome was uncertain by nightfall, though it is likely the Khwarezmian numbers were telling. Jochi and Subutai slipped away in the night, informing Chinggis Khan of Muhammad's attack. Infamously, Chinggis' envoys and trade caravans (possibly concurrent to this battle, or taking place afterwards) would be attacked and killed by the Khwarezmians, ultimately leading to the Mongol invasion of the Khwarezmian Empire, leading to the utter destruction of Shah Muhammad's kingdom.

Shah Muhammad is in blue with the purple armour, while Jochi has the green deel (robes) and Subutai rides behind him. Probably, they did not literally meet face to face as depicted here, discussing instead through messengers and translators, but how could I resist the cinematic of such a drawing?

To learn more about these battles and campaigns, check out my latest video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FJTnC…