Siege of Baghdad
The Mongol sack of Baghdad in 1258 ended Abbasid rule and reshaped the Islamic world.
The Siege of Baghdad, also known as the Sack of Baghdad, took place in early 1258. A large army commanded by Hulegu, a prince of the Mongol Empire, attacked the historic capital of the Abbasid Caliphate after a series of provocations from its ruler, caliph al-Musta'sim. Within a few weeks, Baghdad fell and was sacked by the Mongol army—al-Musta'sim was killed alongside hundreds of thousands of his subjects. The city's fall has traditionally been seen as marking the end of the Islamic Golden Age; in reality, its ramifications are uncertain.
- Date
- Early 1258
- Location
- Baghdad, Abbasid Caliphate
- Commanders
- Hulegu (Mongol Empire); al-Musta'sim (Abbasid Caliphate)
- Outcome
- Mongol victory; sack of Baghdad
- Estimated deaths
- Around 200,000 (Hulegu's estimate); unknown total due to epidemics
- Forces involved
- Mongol army over 138,000 men; Baghdad defenders around 30,000 troops
Lore & Background
After the accession of his brother Möngke Khan to the Mongol throne in 1251, Hulegu, a grandson of Genghis Khan, was dispatched westwards to Persia to secure the region. His massive army of over 138,000 men took years to reach the region but then quickly attacked and overpowered the Nizari Ismaili Assassins in 1256. The Mongols had expected al-Musta'sim to provide reinforcements for their army—the Caliph's failure to do so, combined with his arrogance in negotiations, convinced Hulegu to overthrow him in late 1257. Invading Mesopotamia from all sides, the Mongol army soon approached Baghdad, routing a sortie on 17 January 1258 by flooding their opponents' camp. They then invested Baghdad, which was left with around 30,000 troops. The assault began at the end of January. Mongol siege engines breached Baghdad's fortifications within a couple of days, and Hulegu's highly-trained troops controlled the eastern wall by 4 February. The increasingly desperate al-Musta'sim frantically tried to negotiate, but Hulegu was intent on total victory, even killing soldiers who attempted to surrender. The Caliph eventually surrendered the city on 10 February, and the Mongols began looting three days later. The total number of people who died is unknown, as it was likely increased by subsequent epidemics; Hulegu later estimated the total at around 200,000. After calling an amnesty for the pillaging on 20 February, Hulegu executed the caliph. In contrast to the exaggerations of later Muslim historians, Baghdad prospered under Hulegu's Ilkhanate, although it did decline in comparison to the new capital, Tabriz.
Reader's Guide
The siege began in late January 1258. Mongol siege engines breached the walls within days, and by 4 February the eastern wall was controlled by Hulegu's troops. Al-Musta'sim surrendered on 10 February. Looting started three days later, on 13 February. Hulegu called an amnesty for pillaging on 20 February, after which he executed the caliph. The death toll is unknown; Hulegu estimated around 200,000, but epidemics may have increased the number.
Did You Know?
- The Mongols routed a sortie on 17 January 1258 by flooding the opponents' camp.
- Baghdad was left with around 30,000 troops at the time of the investment.
- Hulegu later estimated the total deaths at around 200,000.
- Baghdad prospered under Hulegu's Ilkhanate, though it declined relative to Tabriz.
More in Sieges And Battles 1-24
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