Sübe’etei

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Sübe’etei (1176 to 1248) was a general who served Cinggis Qan and his successors. He directed more than 20 campaigns during which he conquered (or overran) more territory than any other commander of history. He gained victory by means of imaginative and sophisticated strategy. He routinely coordinated movements of armies that were more than 500 km away from each other. Usually he manoeuvred the enemy into a position of weakness before accepting battle.

Contents 1 Early life 2 First campaigns in the West 3 Against Xia and Jin 4 The 2nd series of Western campaigns 5 Last years 6 Sources

[edit] Early life

Sübe’etei was born c.1176, probably just west of the upper Onon River in what is now Mongolia. He belonged to the Uriangqai tribe (a Mongol tribe not to be confused with the forest tribe with the same name). Sübe’etei’s family had been associated with the family of Cinggis Qan for many generations. His brother Ca’urqan and cousin Jelme (whose father was a blacksmith) served in the Mongol army. Sübe’etei joined Cinggis Qan (or Temujin) while still a teenager. Within a decade he rose to become one of the senior officers, commanding one of 4 rowing detachments operating ahead of the main forces. In 1212 he took Huan by storm, the first major independent exploit mentioned in the sources.

[edit] First campaigns in the West

Cinggis Qan sent Sübe’etei to hunt down the Merkits. Sübe’etei defeated them along the Chu River in 1216 and again in 1219 in Wild Kipchaq territory. Mohammad II of Khwarizm attacked Sübe’etei shortly afterwards along the Irghiz. Sübe’etei held him off after a stiff battle and a piece of deception. Cinggis Qan led the Mongol army westwards in late 1219 to attack Khwarizm. Sübe’etei commanded the advance guard of the main column. With 70000 or so armed men, the Mongol army was far stronger than anything Mohammad II could hope to field. He attempted to save himself by fleeing into central Persia. Cinggis Qan sent Sübe’etei and Chepe with 10000 men to hunt him down. Mohammad eluded capture, but he fell ill and died in early 1221. Sübe’etei spent part of the winter in Azerbaijan. Here he conceived the idea of circling the Caspian Sea to fall on the rear of the Wild Kipchaqs. After a police action in Persia and a raid into Georgia, the Mongols cut across the Caucasus Mountains during the winter to get around the Derbent Pass. By means of underhand diplomacy, Sübe’etei defeated the Alans and Don Kipchaqs in detail. He crushed a Rus army along the Kalka (31 May 1223), but a raid into Volga Bulgar territory ended with a defeat. Sübe’etei received reinforcements and subsequently subjected the Wild Kipchaqs and the Kanglis. Finally, he rejoined Cinggis Qan as the Mongol army was making its way back home.

[edit] Against Xia and Jin

Sübe’etei played a key part in the campaign against Xia in 1226. In 1227 he conquered the Jin districts along the upper Wei River. The Mongol operations were interrupted by the death of Cinggis Qan. Cinggis Qan was succeeded by his son Ogedai. In 1230-1231, Ogedai personally led the main Mongol army against the Jin (in Central China), but the attempt to break into the plains of Honan ended in failure after Sübe’etei was defeated at Shan-ch’e-hui. The Mongols besieged and took Fengxiang, a secondary target. In 1231-1232 the Mongols made another attempt. This time Sübe’etei was able to outmanoeuvre the Jin armies. The Mongols won decisive victories at Sanfeng (9 February 1232), Yangyi (24 February 1232), and T’ieh’ling (1 March 1232). Ogedai and the main Mongol army returned to Mongolia, leaving Sübe’etei with a small force to complete the conquest of Honan. Sübe’etei found it difficult to take the large cities and needed almost 2 more years to finally eliminate the Jin. He made an alliance with Song to get help to complete the job. It did not take the Song long to fall out with the Mongols. Two Song armies sized Kaifeng and Loyang during the summer of 1234. The Mongols returned and drove off the Song.

[edit] The 2nd series of Western campaigns

Ogedai decided to send a major part of the army into the western regions to finally crush the Wild Kipchaqs and Bulgars. Sübe’etei was tasked to direct the operations (under the overall command of prince Batu). He defeated Kipchaq leader Bachman on the north side of the Caspian Sea and next conquered the Volga Bulgars. In late 1237, Sübe’etei attacked Raizen and Vladimir-Suzdal, operating with 3 columns (attacking as the Mongols usually did during the winter). The Rus forces were defeated in 3 separate engagements and their cities were taken in quick succession. The Mongols spent the summer of 1238 resting along the Don. Columns were sent out to subject the various tribes living in the plains around the Black Sea. In 1239, the Rus state of Chernigov was defeated and their cities were taken. The Mongols had made a treaty with Galich-Vladimir, whose prince was therefore taken by surprise when the Mongols suddenly attacked in December 1240. Kiev, Vladimir, and other cities were quickly taken. The Mongols were ready to enter Central Europe. Sübe’etei operated with several separate detachments, aiming to distract on the flanks, while he dealt with the main Hungarian army in the center. The Mongols defeated European armies at Chmielnik (18 March 1241), Kronstadt (31 March 1241), Liegnitz/Wahlstadt (9 April 1241), Mohi (10 April 1241), and Hermanstadt (10 April 1241). Hungary was overrun. The Mongols set out for home in 1242, after learning that Ogedai had died.

[edit] Last years

Sübe’etei campaigned against the Song in 1246-1247. He then returned to Mongolia where he died in 1248.

[edit] Sources