How Hungary finally CRUSHED the Mongols - DOCUMENTARY

When the Mongols entered Europe, people often remembered how Europe was devastated and defeated by the horseshoes of the nomads. And a question was raised. Could they have conquered Europe? Of course they could. They faced many different enemies, many different weapons, many different tactics, different terrains and fortifications, and they defeated them all. They conquered from the Sea of Japan to Vienna, Austria, from the Arctic Circle to Afghanistan and Persia. They fought in deserts, rainforests, mountains, steppes. The only army in history that could begin to compare with them in their particular era was Alexander's Macedonian army. Perhaps that is why they rarely mention one of the most bitter defeats in the history of the invasion of the steppe warriors when they encountered the Hungarian knights for the second time. To really understand what happened, let's take a look back at the first time the Mongols set foot in the heart of Europe. In the 13th century, Ogedei Khan inherited a territory that stretched from northeastern China to the Caspian Sea, just north of present-day Iran. The total area measured 11 million square miles from his father Genghis Khan, who conquered more than twice as much as any man in history. After Genghis Khan died, Ogedei Khan continued his father's dream of conquest and expanded the Khanate east and west, conquering the rest of northwestern China, and advancing into Russia, aided by a wet period that allowed the Mongol armies to bring thousands of horses across the largest desert in Asia, the Gobi. By 1240, Kiev had been sacked and the army was rapidly advancing west. Their siege tactics and cavalry devastated the cities of Europe and brought the mighty Mongol army to Hungary in March 1241, marking the first Mongol invasion of Hungary that we are more familiar with as the Battle of Mohi. The reason Hungary became a target wasn't just due to its resources and strategic location, but also because of a significant event. After the Mongols defeated the Russian principalities, a group of Cumans, who had been allies of Russia, fled to Hungary for refuge. King Bela IV of Hungary allowed them sanctuary, which provided the Mongols with a legitimate excuse to invade. Since we already have a separate video detailing this battle, I will not go into this issue further, but will analyze what the battle left behind. This invasion left a haunting mark on Hungarian history, to know more clearly. I will depict it with specific numbers as follows. The Mongols and their famine killed between 300,000 and 500,000 Hungarian, accounting for about 15-25% of the country's population, and devastated between 50-80% of the settlements in the plains. Most notably, some modern historians have claimed that fortified castles were virtually impregnable to the Mongols, as five stone castles east of the Danube miraculously survived the invasion. This may explain why, after their disastrous defeat at the Battle of Mohi, the Hungarians learned their lesson and realized the flaws in the Mongols' tactics. Although the Mongols were very good at siege warfare, they would have faced a major challenge in conquering Europe. The castles in Europe were much more densely populated and fortified than the fortresses the Mongols faced elsewhere. These castles were so effective that, despite being outnumbered, European forces were able to maintain control of crusader kingdoms such as Kerak, Montreal, and Krak de Chevalier against the powerful Muslim forces. King Béla IV of Hungary realized that his country's defenses were inadequate. Hungary had very few fortified positions. In fact, many of its cities had no walls. At the time, Hungary had only ten stone castles, mostly located near the Austrian border. The Mongols easily destroyed the wooden and earthen fortifications with their siege engines. To defend Hungary from future invasions, King Béla IV took decisive steps to strengthen the kingdom's military. By the time he finished his reign, he had overseen the construction of almost 100 new fortresses, a major increase designed to ensure Hungary was better prepared against potential threats. Prior to the Mongol invasion, Hungary had relied mainly on wooden fortifications and a cavalry force of light horsemen. Although these troops were agile, they were not effective against the Mongols, whose combat tactics easily outmatched them. However, the few heavily armored knights, primarily those from the Knights Templar, fared much better when forced into close combat, which highlighted the need for more effective military forces. Seeing this, Béla IV recognized that Hungary needed to modernize its defenses. One of his responses was to create a new class of knights, similar to the heavily armored warriors of Western Europe. In 1247, he forged an agreement with the Knights of St. John, giving them land in southeastern Hungary in exchange for their assistance in fortification and military training. This partnership led to the creation of additional fortified strongholds and a new breed of heavily armored cavalry, more capable of facing powerful invaders. Béla IV also reformed Hungary's military recruitment policies. In 1248, he introduced a rule that allowed middle-class men to serve as knights if they aligned themselves with a baron. Under this system, barons were required to provide well-equipped, armored soldiers to support the king's army. This policy greatly increased Hungary's military manpower and set the foundation for a more organized and capable defense force. Two years later, Béla went a step further by granting noble status to small and medium-sized landowners who pledged loyalty directly to the king. At the same time, he offered conditional nobility to new settlers who agreed to serve as armored cavalry if called upon. Together, these changes created a stronger and more versatile army. In fact, a royal envoy from King Charles I of Anjou reported that Hungary's military power had grown so impressive that no one in Eastern Europe dared to challenge Béla IV. Many surrounding regions, either by kinship or conquest, had come under Hungary's influence. To further secure his kingdom, Béla IV encouraged people from Germany, Moravia, and Poland to settle in Hungary. This influx of new residents helped boost the economy, increase the population, and created a larger labor force. Many of these settlers were also willing to serve in the military, which reinforced Hungary's ability to defend itself against future threats. In 1259, Béla IV reached out to the pope with a request for help contacting Venice, intending to hire at least 1,000 Venetian crossbowmen. Venice was well known for its skilled crossbowmen and long-standing military expertise, particularly in naval and infantry combat. Béla IV likely understood that Venice could provide highly trained troops, essential for strengthening Hungary's defenses against future invasions. This strategic move was influenced by the effectiveness of crossbows in previous confrontations with the Mongols, despite their limited use by the Hungarians during the invasion of 1241. Then suddenly Mongol retreated from Europe in 1242. It remains often debated, and there were several key reasons behind this decision. First, the death of Great Khan Ögedei in 1241 disrupted their military campaign. According to Mongol tradition, generals had to return home for the mourning ceremony and to vote for the new successor. This forced Batu Khan, who led the most battles in Europe, and his commanders to pull back in order to attend this important event. Additionally, the climate in Europe didn't suit the Mongols, especially in Hungary. The cold, wet weather in early 1242 likely turned Hungary's central plains into a giant swamp. With little grass for their horses to graze on, the Mongols had no choice but to retreat and return to the steppes in search of better pastures. After the deaths of Ögedei Khan and the Batu Khan, the Mongol Empire began to split into various khanate, including the Golden Horde in the west. This division not only weakened central authority, but also led to power struggles among regional leaders. In this context, Nogai Khan, a significant leader of the Golden Horde, emerged as a highly influential figure. Although he never officially ruled the Golden Horde, he effectively co-ruled the state with any khan in power at the time, exerting unrestricted control over the western parts of the Dnieper. He not only had strategic vision, but also the ability to lead the Mongol army in wars against external enemies. Nogai Khan sought to increase his power through conquests in Europe. Accompanying him was Talabuga, a young Mongol prince. Talabuga commanded the army during the Mongol invasion of Lithuania in 1258-1259, a campaign in which he proved himself. A year later, Talabuga led the second Mongol invasion of Poland alongside Nogai Khan, both under the overall command of Burundai. The campaign was relentless, Polish towns were devastated, and around 10,000 Poles were captured and enslaved. The success in Poland emboldened Nogai and Talabuga to plan an even bolder attack, this time on Hungary, a longtime ally of Poland, because they believed that Hungary was weakened by internal conflicts. One of the key reasons for Hungary's weakened state was the growing power of the nobility and the constant rebellions from the barons. King Béla IV's reforms had strengthened the military, but since his death, Hungary's unity had crumbled. His son Stephen V ruled briefly before his death, leaving the throne to his young grandson Ladislaus IV in 1272. Ladislaus IV, known as the Cuman because of his Cuman heritage through his mother, struggled to command a stable kingdom. The Hungarian nobility, empowered by years of increased autonomy, acted independently, often challenging the authority of the throne. These barons controlled local territories like many states, leading their own armies, hoarding wealth, and making alliances that openly defied the monarchy. Ladislaus was never able to fully curb their power, resulting in a weak and fragmented state. In addition to this political discord, Ladislaus IV's reliance on the Cumans further destabilized Hungary. Many Hungarian nobles viewed the Cumans as outsiders with no real loyalty to Hungary, especially since Ladislaus often used them as his primary military force, bypassing native Hungarian troops. In 1283, Ladislaus IV made a decision that shattered his already fragile ties with the nobility. He abandoned his queen and took a Cuman woman as his mistress. This move deeply offended the Hungarian elite, who saw it as proof of Ladislaus's disregard for his royal duties. The Cumans, emboldened by the king's open favoritism, became increasingly unruly but then had been suppressed by the Hungarian nobility. The Cuman warriors, who were driven out of Hungary, offered their services to Nogai Khan, the de facto leader of the Golden Horde, and informed him about the dangerous political situation in Hungary. And of course, Nogai and Talabuga, sensing this internal instability, saw an opportunity to finally conquer the Hungary kingdom. Therefore, nearly 15 years after Belafor's death, the Mongols returned to Hungary in 1285, like a part two of their earlier invasion in 1241. They followed a similar playbook, splitting their forces into two main groups. Nogai Khan came through Transylvania, while Talabuga pushed in through the Transcarpathia and Moravia. They even sent a smaller group straight into the center of Hungary, kind of retracing the steps of Kadan from the first invasion. Their strategy was similar too, speed and surprise. This strategy was already used in the invasion of the Khwarezmian Empire under Genghis Khan, where the Mongol army split into smaller units, advancing through multiple routes to give the impression of a much larger force. This division allowed them to overwhelm the Khwarezmians, who couldn't predict where the next attack would strike, leading to their downfall. Similarly, in their campaigns against the Song Dynasty, the Mongols relied on rivers as fast transport routes, moving quickly to catch the Song forces off guard. They also utilized a comprehensive intelligence network, gathering crucial information about enemy weaknesses. This allowed the Mongols to strike decisively and with precision, ensuring their dominance across southern China. And now, they invaded in winter, hoping to catch the Hungarians totally off guard. By moving so fast, they wanted to prevent King Ladislaus from pulling together a large enough army to face them in one big, decisive battle. The Mongols were all about picking apart their enemies bit by bit. This time around, they had fewer distractions, no civil wars in their empire or big battles elsewhere, so Nogai was able to bring a massive army to the party. The size of the Mongol invasion force led by Nogai and Talabuga into Hungary has been a topic of debate for centuries. Some sources from that time paint a picture of a vast army, even claiming numbers as high as 200,000. However, most historians today view that figure as exaggerated. Typically, Mongol armies rarely reached 100,000 troops, and experts now estimate that this invasion force was likely between 30,000 and 50,000 strong. This figure includes cavalry units provided by their vassal states, such as the Ruthenian princes, which helped strengthen the Mongol ranks. Mongol soldiers were well equipped and highly mobile. They wore chainmail or scale armor, which was both lightweight and flexible, ideal for quick movements. Their steel helmets were designed to protect the face and neck, offering essential defense without sacrificing agility. Known for their skill with short bows, Mongols could shoot accurately from horseback, giving them a huge advantage in battle. In addition to their bows, they carried curved swords and spears for close quarters fighting, along with maces and axes to break through enemy armor. On the Hungarian side, an estimated 30,000 men formed the defensive force, including local contingents like the Saxons, Vlachs, and Szekelys, who were called upon to defend their homeland. United in their resistance, these local troops played a crucial role in holding off the Mongol advance. And now, Talabuga, leading the main Mongol force, hit a wall of problems as soon as they entered northern Hungary. The Carpathians weren't kind, dumping heavy snow on them and making the march a nightmare. But honestly, their troubles started long before that. Logistical chaos and food shortages had already taken a serious toll, and soldiers were dropping like flies. This wasn't just bad luck, though. The Hungarians had learned from their defeat in 1241 and were ready this time. As Napoleon famously said, never fight the same enemy too often or you'll teach them all your tricks. That's exactly what happened here. The Hungarians played it smart, evacuating villages and fortifying castles while taking their supplies and livestock with them. This left the Mongols with nothing to loot. On top of that, advances in farming, like the heavy plow, had boosted food production, keeping the Hungarians well-fed and their army prepared for a long fight. Things got so desperate for the Mongols that Polish and Galician sources claim thousands died on the march, with some even resorting to cannibalism. When Talabuka's forces attacked Pest, they found the town deserted, with its inhabitants safely sheltered in nearby castles. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth's entourage wasn't just sitting around. They launched a pretty bold attack from Buda's walls, which is a cool side note. Here's how it played out. The Mongols, masters of mobile warfare and archery, usually excelled in hit-and-run tactics, using their light cavalry to harass and exhaust their enemies. But the Hungarian knights were built for close, heavy combat. Usually, the Mongols chose the battlefield to their advantage because they were on the attacking side. However, this time they found themselves trapped in hostile territory because they could not cope with the stone castles and lacked food. As a result, they were forced to recover in a deplorable state, unaware that the Hungarians were definitely watching them closely. It was a unique strategy to counter the attacks of the Golden Horde. The Hungarian leaders devised a plan to infiltrate the Mongol ranks and gather vital intelligence. To accomplish this, Hungarian scouts were sent out wearing traditional Mongol clothing, including caftans, curved nomadic shoes, and special headgear such as the deal hat. These scouts were armed with Mongol-style weapons including curved bows and swords, making them visually indistinguishable from Mongol warriors. The Hungarian scouts easily blended seamlessly with the Mongol forces, gathering intelligence that proved advantageous for Hungary's defenses. This allowed Ladislaus' forces to time their charge perfectly, catching Talabuga's army off guard. The Mongols couldn't break through the ranks of these well-armored knights, and their usual tactics weren't working. This situation was similar to what occurred in the 10th century when the nomadic Hungarian tribes raided Western Europe for a while, but were finally defeated at Augsburg in 955. As the Hungarians were returning to their lands laden with booty, Otto the Great chose a place to attack that did not allow the Hungarians enough room to maneuver, causing them to be quickly defeated. In this case, the Mongols were also soundly defeated, Talabuga realizing his campaign was going downhill fast, ordered a retreat. But things went from bad to worse when his army, retreating through the Carpathians, got ambushed by the Szekelys. These guys hit the Mongols hard with their own signature move, swift light cavalry strikes just like the Mongols had done to so many of their enemies before. The ambush was brutal, wiping out most of Talabuga's forces. By the time he stumbled back into Mongol territory, the story goes that he returned with nothing but his wife and a single horse. Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it shows just how disastrous the retreat was. Meanwhile, Nogai Khan, another Mongol leader, was busy pillaging in Transylvania. He stuck around until spring 1286, wreaking havoc on towns like Regin, Brasov, and Bistritsa. But just like Talabuga, he hit a brick wall when it came to Hungary's fortified castles. The Mongols didn't have the right siege equipment, and the Hungarian defenses were rock solid. King Ladislaus IV wasn't about to let Nogai run wild, though. He rallied his forces to take him on. But by the time Ladislaus got there, the local Hungarian troops, mostly Saxons, Vlachs, and Szekelys, under Roland Borsa, had already done most of the work. They crushed Nogai's army, leaving only stragglers for Ladislaus to mop up. By the end of it all, both Talabuga and Nogai were sent packing, and that was it for the Mongols in Hungary. The second invasion ended in complete failure, leaving the Mongols licking their wounds, and Hungary stronger than ever. While Hungary ultimately survived the invasion, the kingdom faced severe internal fallout. The nobility, not the king, led the defensive efforts, gaining influence and becoming nearly autonomous afterward. While the Mongol forces, who sustained heavy losses, no longer posed a major threat in Central Europe, the Mongol attacks dwindled to minor raids, especially as Özbeg Khan took power in the 1280s. In fact, by 1345, Hungary even went on the offensive. Led by Count Andrew Lackvey, they actually invaded Mongol territory and defeated a Golden Horde force. That's when they captured what would later become Moldavia. So, the tables had definitely turned by then. So you know how surviving a defeat can teach you a lot, right? Well, the second Mongol invasion of Hungary is exactly one of those moments. But it also shows something pretty interesting about the Golden Horde. They kind of stopped evolving. While the Mongols in China and the Middle East were learning new techniques, adopting new technologies, and improving their tactics, the Golden Horde was stuck in their old ways. When they invaded southern China, the Mongol army was almost like a Chinese army with Mongol leadership, using advanced siege tactics and technology. Hulagu, the Mongol leader who conquered the Middle East, had some of the best engineers from across Eurasia. But the Golden Horde, the group in Eastern Europe, stayed with their traditional steppe-style warfare. Lots of light cavalry, but very few heavy infantry or siege engineers. Why didn't they adapt after losing in Hungary? Probably because their style of fighting was still good enough for controlling the wide open steppe where they lived, so they didn't see the need for change. It was one of those, if it ain't broke, don't fix it situations, even if it meant getting stuck in the past. As we look back on Hungary's desperate struggle against the Mongols, one can't help but wonder, what if the second Mongol invasion had succeeded? What if the Hungarian fortifications crumbled, the nobles couldn't rally, and Europe fell deeper into Mongol control? The very fabric of medieval Europe, its cultures, borders, and power dynamics, would have been irrevocably changed. Imagine a Europe where the Mongol Khans reigned supreme, reshaping the West with their war-hardened warriors. It's not just a question of what if. This is the history that almost was, a future narrowly avoided. But what if it had happened? Let's dive deeper into the untold stories, explore the battles that could have reshaped Europe forever, and discover the unstoppable force of the Mongols. Join us in this journey through time, where the past is full of thrilling twists and turns. Subscribe, and let's unravel history together.