After the Mongols expanded their empire in 1230, Baycu Noyan, who continued to hold a commanding position at the western frontier when they turned their attention towards Anatolia, is a commander closely tied to our history and Anatolia, achieving significant successes on behalf of the Mongols. While Baycu Noyan was an important commander for the Mongol Empire, unfortunately, he spilled the blood of many innocent Turks and razed cities in Anatolia.
Who is Baycu Noyan?
Born in the Besud tribe, known for producing some of the finest Mongol warriors, Baycu Noyan (1201-1260) was the nephew of Jebe, one of Genghis Khan's great commanders. Initially under the protection of Cormagon Noyan, he engaged in military activities in the Caucasus region.
After achieving great successes, Baycu Noyan was appointed as the leader of the Mongol forces in Mugan following the illness and death of Cormagon Noyan in 1241.
Taking advantage of the weakening of the Anatolian Seljuks due to rebellions, Baycu Noyan entered Erzurum in 1242 with his army, which included Armenians and Georgians, conducting massacres in the city. After completely devastating and burning the Erzurum region, Baycu Noyan's Mongols left the city and returned to Mugan.
Later, in the Kosedag Battle of 1243, Baycu Noyan defeated the Seljuks led by Sultan II. Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev. After his victory, he entered Sivas, which surrendered to him, and completely destroyed the city. Upon leaving Sivas, he captured cities like Kayseri and Erzincan before returning to Azerbaijan. Following the Battle of Kosedag and the acquisition of these cities, the Anatolian Seljuks became a state subordinate to the Mongols.
Alongside Baycu Noyan's achievements, as the Mongol Empire extended its dominion from Central Asia to China and Anatolia, it faced internal governance and transportation challenges, prompting Mongol rulers, governors, and commanders to convene at Karakum. They reached a consensus that the Chinese territories would be entrusted to Kublai Khan, while Iran and Islamic territories would be handed over to the new prince, Hulagu. Hulagu, later known as the Ilkhanids, mobilized his army towards Iran and the Middle East.
During this period, Baycu Noyan was temporarily relieved of duty. Upon the death of the commander responsible for his dismissal, he was reinstated as the commander of the Iranian forces. With Hulagu's advance into Iran and the western regions, Baycu Noyan returned to Anatolia to secure the dominion area for his army and arrange a resting place for both winter and summer.
In 1245, after initially capturing regions like Diyarbakir and Ahlat, Aksaray was seized, and finally, he set his sights on Konya, the capital and heart of the Anatolian Seljuks, advancing his army towards the city.
In 1256, as the ruthless Mongol army besieged Konya, the anxious populace awaited, and Nizamettin Ali, the lone Seljuk commander remaining in the city, gave a Friday sermon stating that the only way to survive was for the people to relinquish all their possessions. The people of Konya entrusted their entire wealth to Nizamettin in exchange for the city's freedom. The gathered treasure was given to Baycu Noyan in return for releasing the city. However, when Baycu Noyan claimed he had promised Hulagu Khan to destroy Konya, Nizamettin Ali explained that if he only demolished the outer walls, he would fulfill his promise. So, Baycu Noyan only destroyed the outer walls of Konya and left the city untouched.
Some interesting dialogues took place between Nizamettin Ali and Baycu Noyan. According to legend, when Nizamettin Ali came to deliver the treasure, Baycu Noyan's wife offered him wine. Nizamettin, refraining due to its prohibition, was told by Baycu Noyan's wife, "We drink, you know," to which he responded, "You are infidels, you drink." She then asked, "Even though we're infidels, we still defeat you. What superiority do we have over you?" Nizamettin Ali replied, "We have started to stray from Allah's commandments," to which she said, "So, Allah has strengthened you."
While Baycu Noyan besieged Konya with his entire army, an interesting event occurred. Fearing the Mongols and facing imminent danger, the desperate people knocked on the door of Hazrat Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi. When Hazrat Mevlana emerged from his house at dawn, he gathered all of Konya's people behind him, ascended the city walls besieged by the Mongols, and stood in prayer on a high ground. Initially, the Mongol soldiers, seeing this highly spiritual saint, were frightened and frantically tried to shoot arrows. However, they couldn't even string their bows properly, let alone shoot. Upon receiving this news, Baycu Noyan was informed that the soldiers were frozen in place. Baycu Noyan, annoyed, asked for his bow and, aiming it at Hazrat Mevlana, shot an arrow. However, with each attempt, the arrows returned. After the third arrow, his legs became immobilized, and he gave up shooting. Later, he turned to his soldiers and said, "I'm glad I gave up besieging this city. If every city had a man like this, we wouldn't be able to conquer any of them. Let's fear this man's wrath." This incident is known from the sources of Hazrat Mevlana, specifically Eflaki.
Following the siege of Konya, Baycu Noyan returned and, to facilitate Hulagu's future endeavors, captured Elbistan. There are historical sources that mention Baycu Noyan's assistance in Iranian and Baghdad campaigns. However, there is no clear information regarding how Baycu Noyan met his end. It is claimed that he was ordered to be killed by Hulagu Khan, suspecting him of treachery due to secret correspondence with Caliph Mustasim Billah.
The Mongols, for their empire established within an extensive dominion, brought nothing but destruction to the regions they visited. Besides Genghis Khan, skilled commanders like Baycu Noyan played a crucial role in leaving a mark on an era for the Mongols. From our perspective, Baycu Noyan is one of the commanders remembered in history for the cities he razed in Anatolia, erasing their past with blood. According to most historians, Baycu Noyan was the commander who paved the way for the establishment of the Ilkhanate state.
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