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Legend Says A Mongol Army Once Killed 1.7 Million People In a Single Hour
The tragedy of Nishapur
In 1219 CE, Genghis Khan began his invasion of the Khwarezmian Empire. The state was a Muslim ruled empire that dominated millions of square miles in Central Asia. It was a stepping stone for the rapid westward advancement of the Mongols. Khwarezmia bridged the lands between modern day Afghanistan and Turkey making it a critical part of Genghis Khan’s plans for a vast Mongol Empire.
Like all of the lands before it, Khwarezmia rapidly crumbled before the Mongol onslaught. But even as the empire disintegrated before Genghis Khan’s armies the invasion hit a snag at the city of Nishapur.
The city was an important stop along the Silk Road and the capital of the Seljuk Empire from 1037–1043 CE. There was no doubt that the siege would eventually be successful, no city had managed to hold out against Khan up until this point. However, during the siege Genghis Khan’s son-in-law was reportedly killed in the fighting.
The death of his daughter’s husband greatly enraged the Great Khan.
Genocide at Nishapur
In retaliation for the death of his son-in-law Genghis Khan ordered the entire city to be destroyed and every inhabitant killed. Some sources claim…
