Mongol Conquest of the Khwarezmian Empire (1219–1221)

1. Otrar Incident triggers rupture with Khwarazm

   Jan 1, 1218Labels: Otrar, Khwarazmian governor, Genghis Khan

   • Britannica
   • Inalchuq

2. Mongols open the campaign with the siege of Otrar

   Dec 1, 1219Labels: Siege of, Mongol army, Transoxiana

   • Otrar
   • Khwarazm Invasion

3. Muhammad II flees; Jalal al-Din emerges

   Jan 1, 1220Labels: Muhammad II, Jalal al-Din, Khwarazmian Empire

   • Britannica
   • Iranica

4. Genghis Khan takes Bukhara

   Feb 1, 1220Labels: Bukhara, Genghis Khan, Kyzylkum Desert

   • Bukhara
   • Khwarazm Invasion

5. Otrar falls after months of resistance

   Feb 1, 1220Labels: Otrar, Mongol victory, Khwarazmian border

   • Otrar
   • Khwarazm Invasion

6. Samarkand captured after March 1220 siege

   Mar 1, 1220Labels: Samarkand, Mongol army, Transoxiana capital

   • Samarkand
   • Khwarazm Invasion

7. Siege of Gurganj (Urgench) begins

   Oct 1, 1220Labels: Gurganj, Urgench, Genghis Khan's

   • Gurganj
   • Khwarazm Invasion

8. Muhammad II dies in Caspian refuge

   Dec 1, 1220Labels: Muhammad II, Caspian Sea, exile

   • Britannica
   • Khwarazm Invasion

9. Gurganj destroyed; siege ends in April 1221

   Apr 1, 1221Labels: Gurganj, Mongol destruction, Khorasan

   • Gurganj
   • Khwarazm Invasion

10. Merv captured and sacked in April 1221

    Apr 1, 1221Labels: Merv, Tolui, Khorasan

    • Merv
    • Britannica

11. Nishapur falls after April 1221 siege

    Apr 1, 1221Labels: Nishapur, Tolui, Khwarazmian stronghold

    • Nishapur
    • Britannica

12. First siege of Herat in late spring 1221

    May 1, 1221Labels: Herat, Mongol forces, initial siege

    • Herat
    • Khwarazm Invasion

13. Bamyan besieged during pursuit in July 1221

    Jul 1, 1221Labels: Bamyan, Afghan highlands, Shahr-e Gholghola

    • Bamyan
    • Khwarazm Invasion

14. Jalal al-Din defeats Mongols at Parwan

    Sep 1, 1221Labels: Jalal al-Din, Parwan, Shigi Qutuqu

    • Parwan
    • Khwarazm Invasion

15. Battle of the Indus ends major Khwarazmian resistance

    Nov 24, 1221Labels: Battle of, Genghis Khan, Jalal al-Din

    • Indus Battle
    • Britannica