Battle of Garni

Battle of Garni
Part of Jalal al-Din's invasions of Georgia
DateAugust 1225
Location
Garni, Kingdom of Georgia
40°07′N 44°43′E / 40.117°N 44.717°E / 40.117; 44.717
Result Khwarazmian victory
Belligerents
 Kingdom of Georgia Khwarezmian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Ivane Mkhargrdzeli
Shalva Akhaltiskheli Executed
Ivane Akhaltsikheli †		 Jalal al-Din Mangburni
Strength

70,000 deployed[1][2]

17,000[3]–20,000 engaged[4]		 10,000[5][6]
Casualties and losses
20,000 killed[4] Unknown
Battle of Garni is located in West and Central Asia
Battle of Garni
Battle of Garni
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Location of Garni in Armenia with present-day administrative borders.
Battle of Garni is located in Armenia
Battle of Garni
Battle of Garni
Battle of Garni (Armenia)

The Battle of Garni (Georgian: გარნისის ბრძოლა, Armenian: Գառնիի ճակատամարտ) was fought in 1225 near Garni, in modern day Armenia, then part of the Kingdom of Georgia. The invading Khwarazmian Empire was led by Jalal al-Din Mangburni, its last Sultan, who was driven from his realm by the Mongol Empire and was trying to recapture lost territories. The battle ended with a Khwarezmid victory and is marked as a disastrous event in Georgian history due to betrayal. As a result, the royal court of Georgian Queen Rusudan (1223–1245) moved to Kutaisi and the country was exposed to subsequent looting during the Mongol invasions of Georgia.

  1. ^ Mikaberidze 2015, p. 19.
  2. ^ History and coin finds in Armenia: coins from Duin, capital of Armenia (4–13th c.) : inventory of Byzantine and Sasanian coins in Armenia (6–7th c.) by Kh. A. Musheghean, page 14
  3. ^ The Cambridge History of Iran: The Saljuq and Mongol periods By J. A. Boyle, page 327
  4. ^ a b Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidāya wa-n-Nihāya (البداية والنهاية) volume:13, page:114
  5. ^ Alâeddin Atâ Melik Cüveynî 1999, p. 362.
  6. ^ Taneri 1993, pp. 65–66.