Subutai
Encyclopedia : S : SU : SUB : Subutai
Subutai (d. 1248) (also Subotai or Subedei,chinese:速不台) was the primary strategist and lieutenant of Genghis Khan and Ögedei Khan. He helped Genghis Khan with the military campaigns in Mongolia, northern China, and Central Asia. Some historians say he was called back to the capital of the Mongol Empire after Genghis Khan began to fear his power - but this is contradicted by his being in continuous command of Mongol armies from the time of Genghis Khan himself, almost up to the time of Subutai's death in 1248. He also invaded Kievan Rus', Bohemia, Poland and Hungary with Batu Khan.
Early years
Subutai was living proof that the Mongol Empire, more than any that had preceded it, was a meritocracy. An ethnic Tuvan, he was the son of Qaban reportedly in Mongolian history a mere blacksmith, who brought his son to serve Genghis Khan when he was circa 17 years old, and through merit, he rose to the very highest command available to one who was not of direct line of Genghis Khan. Genghis Khan called him one of his "dogs of war" and he earned that fearful name with his campaigns, which remain among the most remarkable in history.Subutai said to Genghis Khan "I will ward off your enemies like felt cloth protects one from the wind."
Tactical ability
Subutai was one of the first Mongol generals beside Genghis Khan himself who realized the value of engineers in siege warfare. Even in combat in the field he made use of siege engines, much as the Chinese troops had earlier. This tactic was new to the forces he faced in Europe and the steppe, one they were unprepared to meet. Subutai was also well known for incorporating conquered peoples into his forces, especially those such as engineers who brought specialized skills. He brought intelligence gathering and advance planning to a fine art, for instance, using spies to gather information on the Russian principalities, the Poles, and Hungarians at least a year before the attacks on each. He tailored his strategy to the foe he faced, altering his tactics according to the opponents, the terrain, and the weather. He emphasized light cavalry as the primary foundation of his army, and made sure that his troops were mobile and self-sufficient.Attack on central and eastern Europe
The attack on Europe was planned and carried out by Subutai, who achieved perhaps his most lasting fame with his victories there. Having devastated the various Russian Principalities, he sent spies into Poland, Hungary, and as far as Austria, in preparation for an attack into the heartland of Europe. Having gotten a clear picture of the European Kingdoms, he brilliantly prepared an attack nominally commanded by Batu Khan and 2 other princes of the blood. Batu Khan, son of Jochi, was the overall leader, but Subutai was the actual commander in the field, and as such was present in both the northern and southern campaigns against Kievan Rus'. He commanded the central column that moved against Hungary. While Kaidu's northern force won the battle of Leignitz and Kadan's army triumphed in Transylvania, Subutai was waiting for them on the Hungarian plain.King Béla IV of Hungary had summoned a council of war at Esztergom, a large and important settlement upriver from Buda and Pest. As Batu was advancing on Hungary from the north-east they decided to concentrate their strength at Pest and then head to the north to confront the Mongol army. When news of the Hungarian battle strategy reached the Mongol commanders they slowly withdrew to the Sajo River, drawing their enemies on. This was classic Mongol strategy, perfected by Subutai. He prepared a battlefield and waited. It was a strong position, because woods prevented their ranks from being clearly scouted or seen, while across the river on the plain of Mohi, the Hungarian army was widely exposed.
Only one day after the smaller army in Poland had won the Battle of Legnica, Subutai launched the Battle of Mohi during the night of April 10, 1241. At the Mohi, a single division crossed the river in secret to advance on the Hungarian camp from the southern flank. The main body began to cross the Sajo by the bridge at Mohi, and continued to attack the following day. This was met with fierce resistance, so catapults were used to clear the opposite bank. When the crossing was completed the second contingent attacked from the south at the same time.
The result was panic, and to ensure that the Hungarians did not fight desperately to the last man the Mongols left an obvious gap in their encirclement. As Subutai had planned, the fleeing Hungarians poured through this apparent hole in the Mongol lines, which led to a swampy area. When the Hungarian knights split up, the Mongol archers picked them off at will and it was later noted that corpses littered the countryside for the space of a two day journey. Two archbishops and three bishops were killed at the Sajo, plus 40,000 fighting men.
By late 1241, Subutai was discussing plans to invade Austria, Italy and Germany, when the news came of the death of Ögedei Khan, and the Mongols withdrew, as the Princes of the blood, and Subutai, were recalled to Mongolia. As noted previously, only the death of the Great Khan prevented the conquering of the remainder of Europe.
Mongolian histories say that Subutai had died by 1248.
External links
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.