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The Battle of Mohi, or the Battle of the Sajó River, fought on April 11, 1241, was the main battle between the Mongol Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary during the Mongol invasion of Europe, resulting in the devastation of the Hungarian Empire with 50% of inhabited settlements destroyed and 25% of the population dead. The Hungarians were commanded primarily by King Béla IV and the Mongols by Batu Khan and Subutai.

King Béla ordered the construction of a heavily fortified camp at the Sajó River, unaware of the full force of the Mongol army hidden behind trees on the opposite shore. Estimates of the Hungarian forces put their numbers at around 15,000, while the Mongol force is estimated between 20,000 and 40,000.

It is thought that the Mongol plan was to attack the Hungarian army while they attempted to cross the river. The first engagement at this site, however, saw the Mongols caught out in the same way while they were attempting to cross. The Mongols were unprepared for the might of the Hungarian archers with their powerful crossbows and they suffered heavy losses. The Mongol cavalry was further inhibited from their usual tactics by the geography of the site with the river to their rear.

Their defeat in the first engagement caused the Mongols to modify their plans, sending a smaller force under the command of Subutai south to build a bridge across the river and another force north to ford the river there and attack the Hungarian bridge guard from the rear. Batu Khan used Lithobolos to defeat the crossbow archers at the bridge, while Subutai's bridge construction was severely delayed due to the waters being deeper than expected. This delay, however, did not prove disastrous for the Mongols and Subutai arrived in time to attack the rear flank of the Hungarian forces and save the day. The Mongols, unable to use their usual tactics and facing superior numbers, suffered heavy losses and it is said that only the direct intervention and courage of Batu Kahn himself held his forces on the field until Subutai arrived.

The Hungarian forces were unable to hold off the Mongol forces from within their fortified encampment, largely due to their fear of the Mongol archers' use of flaming arrows, which caused many Hungarian fighters to be trampled by their stampeding comrades.

Additional Reading

• Battle of Mohi at Wikipedia

Mentions

• I Will Seek That Which Was Lost - Chapter 3, The Mongoliad
• The Journey Begins - Chapter 5, The Mongoliad
• Preserve My Soul, For I Am Holy - Chapter 7, The Mongoliad
• The Parting of the Veil - Chapter 8, The Mongoliad
• Set The Light of Thy Countenance Upon Me - Chapter 11, The Mongoliad
• A Change of Plans - Chapter 13, The Mongoliad
• The Agitation of the Heart - Chapter 14, The Mongoliad
• Lucerna Corporis Est Oculus - Chapter 19b, The Mongoliad
• The Big Boss - Chapter 53, The Mongoliad