6. The struggle for power

Güyügs widow seized power just like Ögödeis widow had done before in 1246 CE. But this was not enough to secure the throne to Ögödeis descendants. There were no Khaghan again until 1251 CE when the descendants of Tolui took the throne and Möngke was elected to Khaghan. At the same time, some of the nobles plotted for the deposition of Möngke, the plan was that when everyone was drunk at the coronation party there would be a murder. By pure coincidence, a falconer happened to see one of the conspirators’ wagon trains loaded with weapons, chocked “he took a three-day trip in one day” according to Rashid al-Din. When he arrived, he warned the newly appointed Khaghan. First, no one believed him because this was an inconceivable crime against the laws and customs of the Mongolians, which was written in the Jasagh. The truth could not be avoided once the investigation took place.

Möngke now had to clear out the conspirators and all that had any part of this conspiracy was executed. Because of the many nobles that were part of this conspiracy, they had to use somewhat unusual methods of executions. The reason for this was that the Mongolians had the custom of never shedding blood directly on the ground. Among the more unusual executions that can be mentioned is that Güyügs wife, Ogul-Gaimish, were sawn into rugs and then drowned in the river. Other nobles had to “eat stone until they died”, another method was to wrap them into carpets and then be trampled to death by horses. One other method was the wrap in a person in carpets and then shaked them so violently until the person died. Obviously, they had many ways of taking the life of a person.

This bloody coup was organized by Batu Khan, (who himself declined to be Khaghan), in cooperation with the clan of Tolui. An extensive purge of the families to the house of Ögödei and Chaghadai took place. The position of power was now secured to the descendants of Tolui. In return for his support to Möngke, who became the successful candidate, Batu got the right of autonomous rule of his own clans in the Golden Horde.

When Möngke finally had installed himself on the throne he began to plan for further expansions for the Mongolian Empire. His brother, Hülegü, was sent to the Middle East where he would “pacify” the Islamic states. Möngke told Hülegü that he would ask for capitulation of the different leaders before he attacked.

In the year of 1256 CE, Hülegü led his troops to the area where the Assassin cult had a stronghold. Their fortress, Alamut, was located high up in the mountains of Elburz, south of the Caspian Sea. They had enhanced their fortress and stored large quantities of supplies. Because of this, they had great confidence in resisting the eminent attack from the Mongolians and refused to surrender. As an answer, Hülegü bombarded the fortress with catapults and rocks and in the beginning of 1257 CE, they had to surrender to Hülegü. Because of their resistance, Hülegü showed no mercy and most of the Assassins were massacred by his troops. Hülegü then continued on to Baghdad where he defeated the Abbasids, plundered Baghdad and executed the caliph by pouring melted silver into his eyes and ears. The greater part of the population in Baghdad was slaughtered because of their refusal to surrender. The Western Campaign was a great success.

But in the east, Möngke and his brother Khubilai had begun the conquest of the Song kingdom, but the resistances were greater than they had anticipated. It was during these expeditions that Khubilai established his reputation and became successful enough to make his claim as a leader of the Mongol Empire.