Battle of Köse Dağ
Köse Dağ pass, about 80 km north-west of Sivas, Turkey
What happened
A Mongol army under Baiju Noyan, with Georgian and Armenian allies, fought the army of Sultan Kaykhusraw II of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum. The Mongols advanced into eastern Anatolia, ruled by the Seljuk Turks. Against the advice of his more careful nobles, Sultan Kaykhusraw attacked the Mongols in a narrow mountain pass. The fighting lasted most of the day, and in the evening the Seljuk army collapsed and fled.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The Seljuk Sultanate of Rum became a vassal of the Mongols and had to pay a large yearly tribute. Seljuk power steadily declined after the defeat.
What came next
The Mongols took cities including Sivas, Kayseri and Ankara. Kaykhusraw kept his throne as a Mongol vassal until his death in 1246.
Did you know?
Köse Dağ means 'bald mountain' in Turkish.
Timeline
- 1237Kaykhusraw II becomes sultan.
- 26 June 1243The Mongols win at Köse Dağ.
- 1243Rum becomes a Mongol vassal.
- 1246Kaykhusraw II dies.