Historical Reference |
Seljuk Become Vassals of the Mongols |
Seljuk Become Vassals of the MongolsLet us now turn once more to Charmaghan. He had some time before this been attacked by an illness which caused him to become dumb, and which was probably some form of paralysis. He left two sons, Shiramun, who became a famous general and was called the Golden Column by his countrymen because of his successes, and Baurai, who was put to death by Hulagu because of his evil character. § According to Guiragos, in the beginning of the year 691 of the Armenian era (i.e., Jan. 20th, 1241, to Jan.19th, 1242), an Imperial edict of the Khakan superseded Charmaghan, and appointed Baigu or Baichu in his place. We are further told that Baichu was chosen by some magical process, as was customary with the Mongols. I believe rather that his appointment, which took place in 1241, on the death of Ogotai, was due to the policy of his widow, Turakina, who, on her accession, placed her creatures in various places of trust. It was probably as the protégé of Turakina and her son Kuyuk that Baichu aroused the jealousy of Batu and Hulagu, as we shall see further on. Baichu (called Baichu Kurchi by Guiragos) belonged to the tribe Baisut (called Yissut by D'Ohsson), and was a relative of Chepe or Jebe Noyan, who made the famous campaign in the west with Subutai. He commanded a hazarah under Charmaghan and, as we have seen, was promoted to command his tuman. His first efforts after his appointment were directed against the Seljuk rulers of Asia Minor or Rum. This dynasty had been founded about the year 1080, by Suliman Shah, who had been sent into Asia Minor with 80,000 Oghuz or Turkmen, and had conquered the central part of the peninsula from the Byzantine emperors. He fixed his capital at Iconium, and his dominion was known as that of the Seljuks of Rum. Kai Kubad, the seventh successor of Suliman, was on the throne in 1235-6, when a Mongol envoy, named Shems ud din, went to his Court, bearing a yarligh or Imperial order summoning him to submit, which he accordingly did. Notwithstanding this, a body of 10,000 Mongols invaded his dominions. When Baichu received the command of the Mongol armies in the west he prepared to strike a heavy blow against the Seljuk monarchy. At this time (i.e., 1243) Ghiyath-al-din Kay-Khusru II, son of Kai Kubad, had been its ruler for some years. As we have seen, he had married Thamar, the daughter of the Georgian Queen, Rusudan. Baichu first marched into that part of Armenia which was subject to the Seljuk, and attacked Karin, the ancient Theodosiopolis, called Karno Kaghak by the Armenians, and better known as Erzeu-er-Rum or Erzurum, which W. de Nangis identifies with Uz, the land of Job. Its commander was Sinan ud din Yakut. Having invested it, they summoned the citizens to surrender. They refused, drove out their envoys, and jeered at them from the walls. The Mongols thereupon battered the ramparts with twelve catapults. They speedily destroyed its churches and monasteries, made a general massacre of its inhabitants, and then pillaged and fired it. It had a numerous population of Christians and Mussulmans, and many peasants from the country round had also sheltered there. Inter alia, the Mongols captured a great number of bibles, martyrologies, and liturgical books, delicately written in letters of gold, which they sold at a small price to their Armenian and Georgian allies, who sent them as presents to the churches and monasteries in their own country. These Christian auxiliaries also redeemed many men, women, and children, bishops, priests, and deacons, and we read that Prince Avak, Shahan Shah, and Akbuka, son of Vahram, Gregory of Khachen, son of Tuph, who was sister to the great Atabegs Ivaneh and Zakaria, as well as their troops, gave their freedom to their captives, and allowed them to go where they pleased. The Mongols not only sacked the town, but also a number of the surrounding districts. The Sultan of Rum did nothing to help them, but hid away in fear, and it was even said he was dead. The Mongols withdrew with their booty to spend the winter in their rendezvous on the plain of Moghan. While they were encamped there Kai Khosru sent their
commander a boastful message. " Do you think,"
he said, "because you have ruined one of our towns
that you have vanquished the Sultan and laid low his
power ? My cities are innumerable, and my soldiers cannot
be counted. Remain where you are and await my arrival. I
will come in person to see you, sword in hand." The
Mongols were not disturbed at this message, and Baichu
merely said," You have spoken bravely. God will
accord the victory as he pleases." After having got
his horses and other cattle in good condition, he set out
by easy marches towards where the Sultan was encamped,
not far from Erzenjan.* There he was encamped with his
wives and concubines, and great store of gold, silver,
and other treasures. He also had with him a menagerie of
wild animals to be used in hunting, and including rats,
cats, and even reptiles. He wished to show his troops
that he had plenty of confidence. The King of Little
Armenia and the Princes of Hims and Mayafarkin, who had
promised him assistance, failed to send it; but he had
2,000 Frank auxiliaries under the orders of John
Liminata, from Cyprus, and Boniface de Castro, a Genoese.
Sanuto calls the latter Boniface de Molinis, a Venetian.
Abulfeda tells us he was also joined by a contingent from
Aleppo, under Naseh ud din Persa.§ Baichu divided his
army into various sections, which he entrusted to his
most valiant subordinates, and distributed his
auxiliaries .among them so as to avoid treason.; | In
regard to the date of this famous battle (namely, the
Armenian year 692), Vartan tells us that the letters
forming this number, make up the word Oghb (meaning woe
or lamentation), which, he adds, was well borne out by
the terrible sufferings of Armenia, not only those of its
inhabitants, but also of its plains and mountains, which
were deluged with tears and blood-IT Abulfaraj tells us
the fight took place in June and July, 1243.'** Abulfeda
says in 641 HEJ., which began June 2oth, 1243. Rubruquis
tells as that he was informed by an eyewitness that
Baichu had only 10,000 men with him. Haithon says 30,000.
Malakia tells us the Sultan, on the other hand, had
160,000. Before the fight, according to Chamchean, Baichu
sent home many of the Georgian and Armenian auxiliaries,
retaining only those princes on whom he could depend,
such as Avak, Shahan Shah, Elikum the Orpelian, and
Akbuka, son of Vahram. |
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