Mongols

The Mongols are an ethnic group that originated in what is now Mongolia, Russia, and China, particularly Inner Mongolia. They currently number about 8.5 million and speak the Mongol language. There are approximately 2.3 million Mongols in Mongolia, 4 million Mongols living in Inner Mongolia, and 2 million Mongols living in neighboring provinces. In addition, there are a number of ethnic groups in North China and Russia related to the Mongols: the Daur, Buryat, Evenk, Dorbod, Tuvans and Kalmyk.

Timeline of conquest

The Mongols attempted two unsuccessful invasions of Japan (see Mongol invasions of Japan). The first attempt ended in a retreat after the Battle of Bun'ei in 1274. The second attempt was cancelled after many ships had been destroyed by a famous typhoon, called kamikaze (divine wind) in 1281.

Related Topics:
Mongol invasions of Japan - Battle of Bun'ei - 1274 - Typhoon - Kamikaze - 1281

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The Mongols succeeded very briefly in their invasion of Dai Viet in the northern part of contemporary Vietnam, but were soon defeated by the Vietnamese general Tran Hung Dao after almost three decades. The attack on the Javanese kingdom of Singhasari in 1293 caused the collapse of that state, but the new empire of Majapahit remained independent.

Related Topics:
Dai Viet - Vietnam - Tran Hung Dao - Javanese - Singhasari - 1293 - Majapahit

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Estimated fatalities from the Mongol campaigns are:

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• 1200, Northern China — unknown
• 1215, Yanjing China (today Beijing) — unknown
• 1221, Nishapur, Persia — ~1.7 million killed in assault
• 1221, Merv, Persia — ~1.4 million killed in assault
• 1221, Meru Chahjan, Persia — ~1.3 million killed in assault
• 1221, Rayy, Persia — ~1.6 million killed in assault
• 1236, Bilär,Bulgar cities, Volga Bulgaria — 150,000 or more, nearly half of population
• 1237-1240, Kievan Rus' — half of population
• 1241, Battle of Legnica — defeat of a combined Polish-German force in Lower Silesia (Poland); the Mongols turn back to attend to the election of a new Grand Khan.
• 1258, Baghdad — ~800,000 people. Results in destruction of Abbasid dynasty