Consequences of Insulting the Khan

[Sulla80]

This is the Kwarazmian Empire in 1215.....it was one of the most powerful and affluent states of its time. The Khwarezmian Empire, at the crossroads of trade routes, was both strategically significant and wealthy.

Here is a copper coin of the ruler at that time, Ala ud-Din Muhammad II.

CE 1200-1220, a scarce jital of Muhammad Khwarizmshah , minted in Taliqan, Khwarezm. Full Kalima in the outer circular margin, Muhammad in the middle // Taliqan / al-Sultan al-'a/ zam  'ala al-du/ nya wa ud'din Muhammad / bin al-Sultan. 17mm, 2.82 grams. Taliqan mint. Tye 245; cf. Zeno 197367.

Muhammad Khwarezmshah, also known as Ala ad-Din Muhammad II, was the ruler of the Khwarezmian Empire from 1200 to 1220. His empire was vast, stretching from present-day Iran to parts of Central Asia, and it was one of the most powerful and affluent states of its time. The Khwarezmian Empire stood at the crossroads of trade routes, including parts of the Silk Road, making it both strategically significant and wealthy.

Muhammad inherited the throne from his father and quickly proved to be an ambitious and capable ruler. He expanded the empire's territory through military campaigns, establishing control over regions like Transoxiana, Persia, and parts of Afghanistan. The empire’s capital, Gurganj (modern-day Urgench), flourished as a hub of culture and commerce.

Encounter with Genghis Khan

In the early 13th century, Genghis Khan had unified the Mongol tribes and embarked on a series of conquests, creating an empire that would eventually become the largest contiguous empire in history. By the time he reached the borders of the Khwarezmian Empire, Genghis Khan was eager to establish trade relations with Muhammad Khwarezmshah.

In 1218, Genghis Khan sent a trade caravan to Muhammad’s territory as a gesture of goodwill, aiming to open diplomatic and commercial ties. This caravan, however, was seized by a local governor of Otrar, one of Muhammad's subordinates, who accused the traders of espionage. The merchants were executed, and the goods were confiscated. This event set in motion a series of increasingly hostile exchanges between Genghis Khan and Muhammad.

Genghis Khan, enraged but still willing to resolve the conflict diplomatically, sent a group of three ambassadors to Muhammad Khwarezmshah to negotiate and seek justice for the wrongful seizure and execution. Muhammad, however, acted rashly and disrespectfully: he ordered the execution of one of the ambassadors and sent the other two back with their beards shaved—a profound insult.

The Mongol Invasion

In 1219, Genghis Khan launched a massive invasion of the Khwarezmian Empire. He meticulously planned and executed a multi-pronged military campaign. The Mongol forces, estimated to number over 100,000, swept across the empire with unprecedented speed and ferocity.

The Khwarezmian Empire's defenses were overwhelmed due to Muhammad's lack of coordinated military strategy and his underestimation of the Mongol threat. Muhammad, realizing the scale of the catastrophe, fled westward, abandoning his capital and seeking refuge on an island in the Caspian Sea. He died in 1220, likely of illness and exhaustion, leaving his empire in disarray.

Khwarazmshah Jalal al-Din (AD 1231), eldest son of Muhammad, fought the Mongols for a few years before he died in 1231 leaving a force of mercenaries who continued to battle between 1231 and 1246.

This 13th century manuscript that from Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 016II, fol. 171v, by Matthew Paris (c. 1200-59), a Benedictine monk of St Albans Abbey, Chronica maiora, vol. 2., illustrates the Battle of La Forbie, October 17–18, 1244. The Khwarezmian army, a displaced, battle-hardened group of nomads who had been driven westward after the fall of the Khwarezmian Empire to the Mongols allied themselves with the Ayyubid Sultan of Egypt, al-Salih Ayyub, who sought to regain control of Jerusalem and counter the Crusader states. In 1244, the Khwarezmian forces sacked Jerusalem, massacring its Christian population and taking control of the city. This event alarmed the Crusader states and their allies, prompting them to form a coalition to counter the threat.

This image shows the Khwarazmians on the left, labelled "Chorosmini cum babilonicis". The city of Babilonia (Cairo, Egypt) is at the left edge of the image. Image Source: https://parker.stanford.edu/parker/catalog/qt808nj0703

In 1245, the Khwarazmians helped the Egyptians conquer Damascus, after which they rebelled in 1246 and besieged Damascus. This was the end of the Kwarezmian army as they were defeated by an alliance led by Aleppo, and survivors scattered with some remaining in Egypt and other joining Mongol forces.

Share your jitals of the Kwarezmian Empire or anything else you find interesting or entertaining.

Edited November 10, 2024 by Sulla80

[Croatian Coin Collector]

Khwarazmian Gold Dinar of Ala al-Din Muhammad (minted sometime between 1200 and 1220):

Khwarazmian Bronze Jital of Mangburni from the 13th century:

Edited November 10, 2024 by Croatian Coin Collector

[Ryro]

Excellent and enlightening write up! I don't have any coins to add, but do appreciate your passion in this area. 

[John Conduitt]

Nice write up. I have been to Urgench (or what is left of it). 'Old Urgench' (Gurgānj) is in Turkmenistan, a fair distance across the border from modern Urgench in Uzbekistan. Old Urgench is in ruins, not because of Genghis, but because it was destroyed again by Timur.

This is a Khwarezmian coin struck while Genghis was destroying them.

Malik of Kurzuwan Jital, June-July 1221 (AH618 Rabi' II)

Kurzuwan (Khwarezm). Bronze, 19mm, 3.66g. Inscription around margin with date and month; in centre the name of the king; ربيع الآخرسنة ثمان عشروستمائة (dated to Rabi II, of the year 618) الملك (al-Malik). Mint and Kalima in four lines ° كرزوان لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول ° الله (Kurzuwan; There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is the apostle of Allah) (A 1971). Struck by the anonymous local ruler (malik) of Kurzuwan while under siege by the Mongols. Genghis Khan completely destroyed the city and slaughtered the population.

This is a coin struck by a Mongol military mint as they chased Mangubarni (the eldest son and successor of Ala ad-Din Muhammad II) to the Indus River. The named Al-Nasir, Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad, started the whole thing by appealing to Genghis Khan to check the progress of Khwarizmia (which is why Genghis sent an embassy to Ala ad-Din Muhammad II, and why the latter wasn't welcoming). Al-Nasir later came to regret it, since Genghis proved to be a lot worse than Khwarezmia.

Genghis Khan Jital, 1221

Ghazna (Afghanistan). Billon, 17mm, 4.16g. Al-Nasir Ud-din Allah amir al-muminin (Al-Nasir li-Din Allah, the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad from 1180-1225); Amir al-Mu'minin (Leader of the Faithful). Adl Khaqan al-Azam (coin of the Great Khan) (A 1969).

This is a Golden Horde coin from Khwarezm, while the Mongols controlled the area.

Jani Beg Dang, AH746/1345-1346

Khwarezm. Silver, 16mm, 1.97g. Sultan / The Just / Jani Beg. Struck in / Khwarizm / Year 746 (Sagdeeva 265).

This was struck while Khwarezm was a Russian Protectorate and just before their last ruler was overthrown by the Bolsheviks.

Sayyid Abdullah (under Junaid Khan) Five Tenge, 1919

Khwarezm. Copper, 30mm, 11.936g. ١٣٣٨ (1338) ضرب / دار / الاسلام / خوارزم (Struck in Dar al-Islam Khwarezm). Full sun and crescent, modified inscription below, بش تنکه فلوس (five tenga fulus) (Kleshchinov 83).

Edited November 10, 2024 by John Conduitt

[Sulla80]

57 minutes ago, John Conduitt said:

Nice write up. I have been to Urgench (or what is left of it). 'Old Urgench' (Gurgānj) is in Turkmenistan, a fair distance across the border from modern Urgench in Uzbekistan. Old Urgench is in ruins, not because of Genghis, but because it was destroyed again by Timur.

This is a Khwarezmian coin struck while Genghis was destroying them.

Malik of Kurzuwan Jital, June-July 1221 (AH618 Rabi' II)

Kurzuwan (Khwarezm). Bronze, 19mm, 3.66g. Inscription around margin with date and month; in centre the name of the king; ربيع الآخرسنة ثمان عشروستمائة (dated to Rabi II, of the year 618) الملك (al-Malik). Mint and Kalima in four lines ° كرزوان لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول ° الله (Kurzuwan; There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is the apostle of Allah) (A 1971). Struck by the anonymous local ruler (malik) of Kurzuwan while under siege by the Mongols. Genghis Khan completely destroyed the city and slaughtered the population.

This is a coin struck by a Mongol military mint as they chased Mangubarni (the eldest son and successor of Ala ad-Din Muhammad II) to the Indus River. The named Al-Nasir, Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad, started the whole thing by appealing to Genghis Khan to check the progress of Khwarizmia (which is why Genghis sent an embassy to Ala ad-Din Muhammad II, and why the latter wasn't welcoming). Al-Nasir later came to regret it, since Genghis proved to be a lot worse than Khwarezmia.

Genghis Khan Jital, 1221

Ghazna (Afghanistan). Billon, 17mm, 4.16g. Al-Nasir Ud-din Allah amir al-muminin (Al-Nasir li-Din Allah, the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad from 1180-1225); Amir al-Mu'minin (Leader of the Faithful). Adl Khaqan al-Azam (coin of the Great Khan) (A 1969).

This is a Golden Horde coin from Khwarezm, while the Mongols controlled the area.

Jani Beg Dang, AH746/1345-1346

Khwarezm. Silver, 16mm, 1.97g. Sultan / The Just / Jani Beg. Struck in / Khwarizm / Year 746 (Sagdeeva 265).

This was struck while Khwarezm was a Russian Protectorate and just before their last ruler was overthrown by the Bolsheviks.

Sayyid Abdullah (under Junaid Khan) Five Tenge, 1919

Khwarezm. Copper, 30mm, 11.936g. ١٣٣٨ (1338) ضرب / دار / الاسلام / خوارزم (Struck in Dar al-Islam Khwarezm). Full sun and crescent, modified inscription below, بش تنکه فلوس (five tenga fulus) (Kleshchinov 83).

Nice coins, @John Conduitt, Turkmenistan is not a common tourist destination. Interesting to see the relatively modern Khwarezm Copper.  Here's a variant of your coin, dated Jumada I (June-July AD 1221) Zeno 90342, the city fell during the month of Jumada so this coin was minted days before.

https://www.sullacoins.com/post/coin-of-the-silk-road

1 hour ago, Ryro said:

Excellent and enlightening write up! I don't have any coins to add, but do appreciate your passion in this area. 

Thanks @Ryro - I have been enjoying the 13th and 14th centuries lately.

Edited November 10, 2024 by Sulla80

[Parthicus]

A great write-up by @Sulla80 and some nice coins in this thread, I have a few to contribute.  First is a jital of Ala ud-din Muhammad II (1200-1220) struck in Kurzuwan, issued sometime before the crisis:

Another example of the siege coinage of Kurzuwan, struck by the "Malik of Kurzuwan" in Rabi' II 618 AH:

And a coin attributed to Chinghiz Khan (although it only names the Caliph), from the city of Shafurqan:

 

 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

The history makes it quite an interesting piece, and what a tongue-twister that state, the Khwarezmian Empire, was.

Lesson: Don't be rude to Genghis Khan.

[Alegandron]

My only Bad-Dude...

Mongols-Ghazna mnt Khwarezm Genghis Khan 1206-1227 CE AE Jital Islamic R - only The Just Kahn in title Album 1969 Tye 329

[Ursus]

That's a neat Khwarezmian coin, @Sulla80! I have a few myself, some abundantly common and others relatively scarce.

The first three were all struck for the hapless Ala ad-Din Muhammad II, also known as the guy who underestimated Genghis Khan:

Khwarezmian Empire, under Ala ad-Din Muhammad II, AE large jital, 1200–1220 AD, Qunduz mint. Obv: bull l.; legend around: "abu'l fath / muhammed bin / al-sultan"; circular marginal legend (mint and date) is completely off-flan Rev: horseman holding spear l.; legend around and in margins: "as-sultan al-azam ala al-dunya wa ud-din," mostly off-flan. 23mm, 4.84g. Ref: Tye 243; Album 1740. 

Khwarezmian Empire, under Ala ad-Din Muhammad II, AE “jital,” 1200–1220 AD, Kurzuwan mint. Obv: "Kurzuwan" in circle, legend around "as-sultan al-azam muhammad bin as-sultan". Rev: Kalima. 16mm, 2.49g. Ref: Tye 246. 

Khwarezmian Empire, under Ala ad-Din Muhammad II, BI “jital,” 1200–1220 AD, unclear mint (Dawar region?). Obv: legend in three lines. Rev: legend in three lines. Tye 286; Album 1727. 17mm, 3.00g.

This one was struck in Kurzuwan while the city was under siege by Genghis:

Khwarezmian Empire, struck by an anonymous local governor, AE “jital,” June or July of 1221 AD (Jumada of 618 AH), Kurzuwan mint. Avers "al-malik" ("the ruler") in central circle; around: "tarikh jumada sanat thaman asbar wa sin mi'at" ('dated to Jumada, of the year 618'). Rev: inscription in four lines "kurzuwan / la ilah illa allah / muhammad rasul / allah" ('Kurzuwan. There is no God but God. Muhammad is the messenger of God'). 20mm, 2.78g. Tye 324.2; Album 1971.

Album tentatively attributes this to Genghis Khan, though it is probably a bit later. In any case, it was struck for the Mongol rulers in what until recently had been the Khwarezmian Empire:

Great Mongols, under Genghis (Chingiz) Khan or slightly later, BI “jital,” 1220s/1230s AD, Nimruz (Sistan) mint. Obv: "qa’an / al-‘adil" ('the just khan'). Rev: " zarb i/ nimruz" ('struck in Nimruz'). 14.5mm, 3.42g. Ref: Tye –; Album A1973.

[lim]

What kind of coin is this? Is this Genghis Khan?

[JAZ Numismatics]

Here's a related coin I recently acquired. The Ghurid Dynasty would succumb to the Kwarazmian Empire soon after its minting...

Ghorid. Mu`izz al-Din Muhammad b. Sam. 567-602/1171-1206. AR dirham (32mm, 4.9g, 1 h). Ghazna mint, A.H. 598. Scarce. Citing Ghiyath al-Din. Dated AH 596 (AD 1200) Album 1771.

[John Conduitt]

25 minutes ago, lim said:

What kind of coin is this? Is this Genghis Khan?

From the time of Genghis Khan.  Album 1972.

[lim]

31 minutes ago, John Conduitt said:

Со времён Чингисхана. Альбом 1972 года.

There is no khan's title on the coin. And the style is not the same as usual.

[John Conduitt]

1 minute ago, lim said:

There is no khan's title on the coin. And the style is not the same as usual.

No. There is only the name of the caliph al-Nasir. Genghis Khan controlled Qunduz but didn't have coins struck in his name. I don't think he had much use for them.

[lim]

But there are coins with the title.

Edited Monday at 10:17 PM by lim

[lim]

Chingiz (Genghis) Khan (AH 603-624 / AD 1206-1227) Dirham ND VF30 ANACS, No mint (likely Ghazna), A-1967 (R), SICA-1007, Zeno-Type A1/B1. Possessed of an immense historical gravitas, and standing as one of few issues of Chingiz Khan which actually bears his name, with the reverse almost perfectly centered.

 

But it could have been a posthumous coin. The contenders for power decided to raise the name of the great Khan.

Edited Monday at 10:21 PM by lim

[John Conduitt]

I was talking about the coin you posted. You can see all the coins with and without his title in Album. A1967 isn't one with the title.

Edited Monday at 10:23 PM by John Conduitt

[lim]

These coins are still in question.

[John Conduitt]

Not all. A 1969, for example.

[lim]

Such coins began to be often on sale. It seems to have the name of Genghis Khan. The Mint of Bukhara.