Who Was the Ruthless Mongol Ruler Hulagu Khan

Hulagu Khan (1218-1265) was the grandson of Genghis Khan and the founder of the Ilkhanate Empire. As a descendant of the Borjigin dynasty, which originated from Genghis, Hulagu Khan earned a brutal reputation in history, especially for his campaigns in Iran and the events surrounding the fall of Baghdad. This Mongol ruler, known for leaving a page in history filled with blood and tears, is also considered one of the most intriguing figures of his time.

Who was Hulagu Khan?

After the death of Genghis Khan, Hulagu was tasked by his elder brother, Great Khan Mongke, to continue the policies of their grandfather in the south, targeting the Abbasid state and Iran (1255).

Hulagu interpreted this directive as plunder and destruction, amassing a massive army and launching his first campaign into Iran. Under the orders of Great Khan Mongke, Hulagu was instructed to conquer the Lurs, eradicate the Hashashin sect, and subsequently eliminate the Abbasids, Ayyubids, and finally the Mamluk Sultanate, establishing Mongol dominance in the Eastern Horde. To achieve this, Mengke Khan commanded that every 2 out of 10 Mongol men join Hulagu's army. Imagine the scale of this force. Initially, he encountered no resistance and continued his conquest with ease (Luristan was captured effortlessly). The notorious Hashashin, a nightmare for many armies from Turks to Crusaders, couldn't withstand Hulagu's intellect and ruthlessness.

Hulagu Khan laid siege to the Alamut Fortress, the stronghold of the Hashashin. This fortress was strategically perched on steep cliffs, making it seemingly impregnable and ensuring the sect's activities for centuries. However, Hulagu had a plan to bring about their downfall. With the guidance of skilled engineers, Hulagu managed to conquer the seemingly unconquerable Alamut Fortress through ingenuity and technology.

Using engineers, Hulagu transformed the rocky pinnacle on which Alamut Fortress stood into a rocket. He dug tunnels beneath the fortress and filled them with a combination of Caspian oil and gunpowder. Then, he set the tunnels ablaze, turning the hill into a colossal bomb, effectively launching it into the air (1258).

Hulagu Khan and his Mongol army, having successfully captured the supposedly impregnable Alamut Fortress, put an end to the threat of the Hashashin. His next target was Baghdad.

Upon reaching Baghdad, Hulagu instructed Abbasid Caliph Mustasim to surrender. The Caliph, however, refused to surrender, warning that if he were attacked, he would incur the wrath of Allah. Historical accounts suggest that Mustasim's mistake was not fortifying his army and repairing the city walls against the impending Mongol forces.

When Mustasim rejected his demand, Hulagu was furious. The Mongol war machine was set in motion ruthlessly. The Mongols conducted an exceedingly bloody campaign, swiftly capturing the city of Baghdad. However, the true tragedy occurred after the conquest of Baghdad. Historical sources state that every inhabitant of Baghdad was slaughtered by the Mongol army.

This war, which took place on February 13, 1258, resulted in the massacre and death of 90,000 people. The historical records indicate that Baghdad was plundered for a week. Beyond the other Mongol invasions, the devastation of the entire city and the massacre of its population distinguish the capture of Baghdad as the most merciless campaign in Mongol military history.

Hulagu Khan adhered to the shamanistic beliefs of Central Asian traditions. His wife (Dokuz Khatun), mother (Sorgagtani), and closest friend Ketboqa were Christians (Nestorians). It is said that influenced by his mother and wife, Hulagu harbored a deep-seated hatred towards Muslims due to the actions of the Abbasids. His actions certainly affirm this.

After the famous Battle of Dujail, the Mongols had complete control over the city of Baghdad. Those attempting to flee were captured and killed. Caliph Mustasim was captured and before being executed, he was made to witness the massacre of the populace and the pillaging of the city. Following Mongol culture and steppe traditions, it was considered inauspicious for noble blood to touch the ground. Therefore, Caliph Mustasim was wrapped in a rug and trampled to death under the hooves of horses.

The scale of the massacre orchestrated by Hulagu during this period is striking. While the exact number of casualties remains unknown, in a letter written to King Louis IX of France, he claimed his army had killed around 200,000 people. Baghdad, a city of great significance in Abbasid and Islamic history, saw its meticulously preserved libraries, mosques, and artifacts completely looted, burned, and subjected to Mongol invasion. Hence, contemporary historians argue that the Islamic Renaissance was impeded by the Mongols.

Following the fall of Baghdad, Hulagu Khan embarked on a campaign in Palestine, targeting Syria and the Ayyubids. His next target would have been Egypt, but due to the death of his brother Great Khan Mongke, Hulagu was compelled to abandon this campaign.

Subsequently, turmoil in the succession emerged. Hulagu Khan returned to the northern regions under his rule. During this period, the army he left behind was later defeated in the Battle of Ain Jalut by the Mamluks, led by the renowned future sultan of Egypt, Baybars, and Sultan Sayf al-Din Qutuz, mostly composed of Turkish soldiers. When Hulagu Khan sought revenge, he faced opposition from his cousin Berke. With Berke declaring war against him, Hulagu abandoned his campaign against the Mamluks.

Experiencing his first defeat in the war against his cousin Berke, Hulagu Khan suffered a major setback in the Caucasus. This battle, the first fought among Mongol armies, sparked the flames of internal conflict for the throne.

When the year 1265 arrived, Hulagu Khan passed away at the age of 46 in the city of Maragheh, which is now part of Iran. He was buried on an island in Lake Urmia, along with his horse and concubines, as per shamanistic traditions. Hulagu Khan was the last ruler to be honored in this way. He left the throne to his son Abaqa Khan, but the Ilkhanate fragmented into various principalities instead of forming a unified state. Later, the Ilkhanate faded into history.

Hulagu Khan is primarily remembered in history for his bloody campaign in Baghdad, eradicating the Abbasids from history, and conquering the Alamut Fortress. While some sources suggest he had a keen interest in science and chemistry, the veracity of this claim remains uncertain. Some historians argue that he was actually of Turkic origin. However, in many sources, he is documented as a Mongol ruler. In Hulagu's siege operations, individuals who were not Turkic or Mongolian (such as the Chinese) were always placed at the forefront. In Islamic sources, Hulagu Khan is often portrayed as the greatest tyrant, and it is evident from his actions, particularly the Baghdad campaign, that he inflicted significant damage.