Battle of Mohács
Mohács, Kingdom of Hungary
What happened
King Louis II of Hungary and Archbishop Pál Tomori led the Hungarian army against the Ottoman army of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his grand vizier, Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha. The Ottoman army marched up the Danube River into Hungary, while help from Austria, Transylvania and Croatia never arrived. On a marshy plain near Mohács, the Hungarian nobles insisted on fighting at once. The Hungarian charge pushed the Ottoman front line back, but this drew them into a trap where Ottoman muskets and cannons broke their lines within about two hours. King Louis was lost while trying to flee.
Why it matters
Result: Ottoman victory. Leaders: Suleiman I / Pargalı Ibrahim Pasha against Louis II / Pál Tomori. Why it matters: The battle ended Hungary as a strong independent kingdom and began long wars between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburgs. Hungarians still say 'More was lost at Mohács' when something goes badly wrong.
What came next
Two rival kings were chosen, John Zápolya and Ferdinand of Austria, and they fought over the crown. The Ottomans took the city of Buda in 1541, and Hungary was split into three parts.
Did you know?
Sultan Suleiman reportedly said he was sorry when the young king's body was found, because he had not wished him to die so soon.
Timeline
- 29 August 1526 CEThe Ottomans defeat the Hungarians at Mohács.
- 1526-1527 CETwo rival kings, John Zápolya and Ferdinand of Austria, claim the Hungarian crown.
- 1529 CESuleiman's siege of Vienna fails.
- 1541 CEHungary is split into three parts.