The Mongols, one of the greatest empires ever seen in military terms, had their most successful period with Genghis Khan, but he was not the only owner of this success. Turkish commander Subutay, who wrote his name in history with dozens of victories he won, was one of the most important names of the Mongolian army. Let’s look for the answer to the question of who is Subutay in the dusty pages of history.
The heyday of the Mongol Empire, which was centered in Central Asia between 1206 and 1368, spread to all over the world, was experienced during the reign of Genghis Khan. Especially Genghis Khan, whose war tactics are taught in military schools even today, is not the only owner of this success. One of his many commanders, General Subutay, Thanks to the dozens of wars he won, he managed to write his name in historical gold letters.
Subutay, who set out with Genghis Khan at a young age, has managed to become one of his most successful soldiers and later one of his most successful commanders over the years. According to some sources, he commanded 65 wars and won each of them. Retired after a life of struggle Who is the legendary commander Subutay, Let’s look for this answer in the dusty pages of history.
Genghis Khan and Subutay’s older brother are much more than childhood friends:
The most accurate source on Mongolian history is written in Mongolian, beginning with the birth of Genghis Khan. The Secret History of the Mongols. According to this work, Subutay’s father Çarçuday and Genghis Khan’s father Yesügey are two very close friends. When Temuçin, who would later be named Genghis Khan, was born in 1162, Tsarchuday gifted Yesügey a swaddle made of sable skin.
The only gift he gave to Temuçin was not a swaddle, but he also left his son Çelme, who was a child at that time, as a friend and servant by his side. When Yesügey was killed in 1167, the enemy pursued Temüjin. They escaped with Çelme and lived a fugitive life for many years. Meanwhile, Çelmen’s younger brother Subutay joined them.
Who is Subutay? A little boy who joined Genghis Khan’s ranks:
Subutay, who is from the Uranhay tribe of Tuva Turks living in Central Asia, was born in 1176. Like his older brother, he was one of Genghis Khan’s friends. But because of his young age, he stood in the background. Subutay, who helped them throughout their fugitive lives, eventually joined Genghis Khan’s ranks and fought alongside Genghis Khan with his older brother Çelme in his struggle against Camuka in 1201.
During this period, the Merkits, one of the influential communities of Central Asia, were getting stronger. Merkits are thought to be Turkish. This growth was led by Genghis Khan. When he started threatening the Mongols An expedition was organized in 1205. The commander of this successful expedition was Subutay.
The Harzemshahs, who ruled in the Khwarezm region in Central Asia, were tied to the Turkish-Iranian tradition and were a very powerful state at that time. In 1219, a great expedition was organized under the command of Subutay. Later, together with Jebe, one of Genghis Khan’s other important commanders, he gathered an army of 20 thousand and organized an expedition to the Caucasus region. He also organized many important expeditions to Deşt-i Kıpçak and İdil-Ural regions.
Subutay was also one of the most important commanders of Genghis Khan’s son Ögeday:
Upon the death of Genghis Khan in 1227, his son Ögeday succeeded to the throne. Ögeday was an ambitious leader, just like his father. He organized successive expeditions to places that Genghis Khan wanted to take but could not live. The name who commanded most of these expeditions was Subutay. Subutay played a major role in the capture of Eastern Europe and Central Europe.
One of the greatest victories in this period was the battle with the Hungarians at Mohi in 1246. The army under the command of Subutay was victorious. and the Hungarian territory was captured. In the same period, many expeditions were organized over the Middle East, and although there were kilometers in between, all these expeditions were led by Subutay.
When Ögeday died in 1241, his son Güyük Han took his place. increased during his father’s reign Continuing the pressure on China, Güyük Han He organized a great expedition to China with the army under the command of Subutay and successfully completed it. Subutay, who retired to the Tula River in 1248, died here.
Why is Subutay a great commander?
When the Mongols were a small tribe, during the reign of Genghis Khan Dominating an area of more than 24 million square kilometers It became a huge empire. They have protected more than 100 million people, united the east and the west, captured important trade routes and occupied lands that were unimaginable until that day.
Behind this success is a military power, not a diplomatic one. Of course, Genghis Khan’s genius in this regard is indisputable, but what makes him unique is It was working with the best commanders. One of the greatest commanders he worked with during this period was Subutay, who was also his childhood friend.
Subedey, as it is called in his own language, fought continuously between 1206 and 1248 and won each of the wars he participated in. According to some sources, the number of battles he won is 65. He defeated the Harzemshahs many times, captured all the Russian lands at once, organized tactics that seem difficult even today in the fierce geography of the Caucasus, took the Mongol domination to China, and perhaps most importantly, enabled a Central Asian people to advance into Europe.
How could Subutay become such a successful commander?
Today, by using satellite technologies, pinpoint details can be obtained about the regions where a possible operation will be held. We already have the world map. But Think back hundreds of years. How could a people living in the steppes of Central Asia be able to organize such successful expeditions one day in the Middle East and one day in Europe.
The secret was in intelligence and communications. What made Subutay a military genius was his good evaluation of this intelligence and news. So much so that when Genghis Khan said he wanted to conquer Europe, he came up with a 20-year conquest plan. Not year by year, He calculated what to do month by month and even day by day. and devised appropriate tactics. However, Genghis Khan’s life was not enough.
Subutay is not only geographical, but also of the regions to be operated. It also dominated the social structure. Who knew who was the enemy, who would support, who would be a hindrance, who was in control, who should be bought, who should be killed. This is why the military strategies implemented by Subutay are still taught in military schools today.
Genghis Khan and one of the most important generals of the Mongols in the following period. Who is the Turkish commander Subutay? By answering the question, we talked about what you need to know about this legendary commander. You can share your thoughts on the subject in the comments.