Limits of Mongol Power

Edited by Paul - 21-Mar-2008 at 16:32

Traditionally for invaders from the west to conquer India

A huge desert, then a huge mountain range, followed by a huge unfordable river (as the Indus is at that point) followed by another desert. Yeah great going!

One property that people here did not mention is the nature of the mongol armies, these were mobile horse based armies, the only advantage the mongols ever had over their enemies is that they had just too many horses with them and horses are useless in the then thick central european plain forests, those forrests were not accessable in those days because no major trade roots crossed them at that time. as for India, well Sparten said they either passed the Khaybar pass which was near impossible, or take the Makran coast route where their horses will die of thirst and heat exhaustion, and even if they succeeded, the armies they will face are not like those they faced, they would face battle hardened troops with experienced generals.

Originally posted by Ikki All this points are reasons for admire mamluk Egypt: a highly developed country near the main mongol western centres in a region profitable for cavalry, close to cities wich could provide artillery and infantry to the mongols as northern chinese in the other side of the world provided for the conquest of southern China, and the egyptians could resist. Magnificient.   Only hypothesis.

Originally posted by Sparten The Mongols got stuck at the Jehlum, they were unable to cross it.

in my opinion the Mamelukes of Egypt get far too much recognition and the Sultanate Delhi gets far too less, if any. the mamelukes were in a very favouable position. egypt is difficult to invade, the il-khans faced opposition by the Golden Horde and the Chaghatay khanate, and the only place to maintain a huge mounted arm was in Azerbaijan. Delhi however had to keep southern indians at bay while at the same time fencign off Mongol invasions from the chaghatay khanate from central asia, all the mongols had to do was cross the mountains and march into Delhi, soemthing so many conquerors have done before.


Edited by Temujin - 21-Mar-2008 at 23:21

I don't think the halt of Mongol expansion had definite "geographic reasons." Of course, geography is an important factor, but we also know that Mongols were succesful in conquering such places ad Afghanistan, Armenia and Korea despite extremely hard geographical terrain and conditions. The fighting in Russia was not a paradise as well.

i'm not talking about Genghis Khan, Genghis did not invade India anyways, he only pursuded Jalal-ad-Dina dn after he defeated him withrew. there were numerous small and large ivnasions after that from teh Chaghatay Kahnate, even up to the gates of Delhi, don't you know this?

Temujin, opposite to other regions Syria is good for cavalry movements and is not separated from the mongols centres by natural barriers althought, i agree that the indian resistance should be put highest than usual said.

Edited by Ikki - 23-Mar-2008 at 12:15

The Mongols also burned Izmir on the Aegean Sea to the ground.

Originally posted by Adalwolf Actually,  a Siberian Khanate did exist. It was called the Khanate of Sibir. It was founded in the 1400s, and lasted until the Russians defeated it in 1598. I have a thread on it asking for more info, but no one seems to know anything about it!

Edited by Ikki - 23-Mar-2008 at 12:19