How Mongols conquered Baghdad. · Liberty Politics Discussion

How Mongols conquered Baghdad.

In February 1258, Baghdad, the heart of the Islamic world, fell to the Mongol forces under Hulagu Khan. The Abbasid Caliph, Al-Mustaʿsim Billah, underestimated the Mongol threat, relying on his symbolic power and religious authority rather than adequately preparing for defense. Unlike previous conquerors, the Mongols implemented a policy of complete eradication of royal bloodlines to prevent future rebellions.

The siege of Baghdad was swift and brutal. Upon entering the palace, the Mongols carefully identified and isolated members of the royal family. The Caliph was executed in a manner designed to adhere to religious taboos: he was wrapped in carpets and trampled by horses, delivering a poignant message of annihilation.

Following the Caliph's death, all male heirs and Abbasid princes were systematically eliminated to prevent the dynasty's regeneration. Royal women faced execution or were taken captive and distributed among Mongol elites, ensuring no independent Abbasid lineage could survive.

The destruction extended beyond the royal family to the city itself. Libraries were burned, scholars killed, hospitals destroyed, and infrastructure crippled, leading to Baghdad's inability to recover and effectively marking the end of the Islamic Golden Age. This act fundamentally altered the course of history, decentralizing Islamic power and resulting in fragmentation, with Baghdad never regaining its former status.

Throughout history, wars and bloodshed have shaped nations. The creation of the Caliphate also involved the erasure of earlier civilizations. The countries we know today were formed not through peaceful unions, but through violence and subjugation.

3 comments