Chormaqan

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Chormaqan was one of the most famous generals of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan and Ogedey Khan. He was a member of the keshik (elite troops) and was also known as Chormaqan Noyan.

Chormaqan is mentioned in The Secret History of Mongols many times. He probably participated in the Mongol campaigns in North China and later in the Subedei's and Jebe's famous journey through Caucasus and Russian steppes. Appointed by Ögedei in the winter of 1230 to renew the Mongol conquests in Persia, which had languished since Genghis Khan's assault on and near destruction of the Khwarezmid Empire from 1218-1223.

At the approach of Chormagan and the new Mongol army, the Khwarezmids under Jalal ad-Din were swept away. Further campaigns in the mid-1230s, based from the steppes in Azerbaijan around Tabriz, firmly established Georgia and Armenia (that is, the Lesser Armenia in Cilicia) as vassals. It is theorized that these moves may have been made to secure communications for the attack westward led by Batu that followed shortly thereafter.

Chormagan died in 1241 and was replaced by Baiju, his lieutenant.