Editing 1220 (section)

==== Mongol Empire ====
* Spring &ndash; The Mongol army (some 100,000 men) led by [[Genghis Khan]] crosses the [[Kyzylkum Desert]] – a freezing sand-and-tussock wilderness of some 450 kilometers – towards [[Bukhara]]. Meanwhile, [[Muhammad II of Khwarazm|Muhammad II]], ruler of the [[Khwarazmian Empire]], prepares a strong defense around his capital [[Samarkand]]. In February, Genghis approaches Bukhara, which is defended by a garrison of some 20,000 men, and begins the [[Siege of Bukhara]]. The city leaders open the gates to the Mongols, but Turkish forces who defend the city's citadel hold out for another twelve days.<ref>John Man (2011). ''Genghis Khan: Life, Death and Resurrection'', pp. 193–194. {{ISBN|978-0-553-81498-9}}.</ref> In a speech at the city's Friday Mosque, Genghis declares "I am the punishment of God."<ref>According to: {{cite book|last=Juvaini|first=Ata-Malik|author-link=Ata-Malik Juvayni|title=[[Tarikh-i Jahangushay]]|trans-title=History of the World Conqueror|language=Persian|translator-last1=Boyle|translator-first1=John Andrew|translator-link1=John Andrew Boyle|script-title=fa:تاریخ جهانگشای|date=c. 1260|volume=1|page=105}}</ref>
* March &ndash; Mongol forces led by Genghis Khan besiege Samarkand, the city is defended by some 40,000 men, including a brigade of 20 war elephants. On the third day, the garrison launches a counter-attack, the defenders sent out their elephants, which panic, turn and trample their own men before escaping onto the open plain. Muhammad II attempts to relieve Samarkand twice but is driven back. After a week, the remainder of the garrison surrenders. The city's inhabitants, numbering some 100,000 are enslaved or slaughtered.<ref>John Man (2011). ''Genghis Khan: Life, Death and Resurrection'', p. 202. {{ISBN|978-0-553-81498-9}}.</ref>
* Summer &ndash; Muhammad II flees westwards across northern [[Iran]], hoping to find safety in the rugged and isolated region of [[Mazandaran Province|Mazandaran]] on the southern coast of the [[Caspian Sea]]. He is pursued by 20,000 Mongol forces led by [[Subutai]] and [[Jebe]] ('''the Arrow'''). Abandoned by the remnants of his panic-stricken troops, Muhammad seeks shelter on a small island near [[Astara, Iran|Astara]]. There he dies of [[pleurisy]] some weeks later. He is succeeded by his son [[Jalal al-Din Mangburni]], who is forced to flee to [[India]] after the [[Mongol conquest of the Khwarazmian Empire|Mongol invasion]] (see [[1219]]).<ref>David Nicolle and Viacheslav  Shpakovsky (2001). Osprey: ''Kalka River 1223: Genghis Khan's Mongols invade Russia'', p. 14. {{ISBN|1-84176-233-4}}.</ref>
* Autumn &ndash; Genghis Khan moves against the wealthy city of [[Konye-Urgench|Urgench]]. He is joined by his eldest son [[Jochi]], now conqueror of half a dozen lesser towns who attacks it from the north. Despite a stout defense, the city is taken after a 5-months siege. The Mongols have to fight for Urgench street by street, razing many houses. Jochi is given the right to loot the city for himself, but prefers to negotiate with the locals to avoid property damage. This is refused by Genghis, who removes Jochi from command and appoints [[Ögedei Khan|Ögedei]] instead.<ref>Steven Runciman (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre'', p. 205. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29877-0}}.</ref>
* November &ndash; Genghis Khan dispatches his youngest son [[Tolui]], at the head of an army (around 50,000 men), into the Khwarazmian province of [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]]. His forces also include 300 catapults, 700 [[mangonel]]s to discharge pots filled with [[naphtha]], 4,000 storming-ladders, and 2,500 sacks of earth for filling up moats. Among the first cities to fall is [[Termez]] (captured after a two-day siege) and later [[Balkh]].<ref>Steven Runciman (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre'', p. 206. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29877-0}}.</ref>