Battle of the Indus
1221 · Banks of the Indus (in modern Pakistan; exact site unknown) · World · Medieval
Jalal al-Din, drawn up with the river at his back, was routed; he escaped by leaping into the Indus on horseback
Belligerents
Mongol army
- Commanders
- Genghis Khan
- Strength
- Tens of thousands
Remnants of the Khwarazm army
- Commanders
- Jalal al-Din
- Strength
- c. 30,000 (accounts vary)
Background
After the fall of Khwarazm, Prince Jalal al-Din gathered the remnants of its forces in Afghanistan, defeated the Mongol army at Parwan, and then withdrew toward India.
Course of the battle
- PursuitGenghis Khan personally led his army in pursuit of Jalal al-Din, marching day and night
- Drawn up with the river at their backsJalal al-Din had no time to cross the Indus and was forced to fight with the river at his back
- EncirclementThe Mongol army broke both flanks and enveloped the center from the flank and rear
- Leaping the river on horsebackJalal al-Din and a few of his guards leapt into the Indus on horseback and swam to the far bank; Genghis Khan praised his courage
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1221 |
|---|---|
| Place | On the banks of the Indus (in today's Pakistan; exact site unknown) |
| Result | Jalal al-Din, drawn up with the river at his back, was routed; he escaped by leaping into the Indus on horseback |
| Winner | Mongol army |
| Casualties | Most of the Khwarazm army wiped out |
| Territorial change | Mongol conquest of Khwarazm |
Impact
The Battle of the Indus ended organized Khwarazmian resistance, and the story of Jalal al-Din leaping the river on horseback spread widely in Persian and Mongol chronicles.
See the world in 1221 on the map →