Quote Originally Posted by Reenk Roink
And yet the army of the Sultan faced equally difficult conditions themselves. They were also an exhausted bunch and also not very well equipped. Not only that, but the army of Khwarizm was hated by the populous and had questionable loyalty. And yet Jalaladin was able to repel the Mongols after a one day battle. My point is, had he been able to do it again at the Indus, where Genghis was brilliantly able to seperate the army from the refugees and slaughter both, this would greatly affected future expeditions by the Mongols. Would there be more? Most probably, but then again, Jalaladin could also make preparations.
Please explain how conditions were equally bad for an army that marches to a valley from its homeland, while the other army has just crossed mountain passes of 13,000ft and almost frozen and starved to death.
I find it odd how you try to downplay Jalaladin as an "irritable foe" when Genghis himself had such respect for the man that he prohibited his archers from shooting him while he fled.
Downplay? An irritable foe he was indeed and a capable commander also. Why did you not use my quote that depicts this?
Quote Originally Posted by Orda Khan
Jalal ad Din saw the folly of this and wanted an immediate strike against the Mongols
My point exactly. The Mongols were always able to follow up their defeats with victories (until Ain Jalut), due to their brilliant leadership, unmatched organization, and their unquestionable battle prowess.
They did not win a victory after Ain Jalut? I think you will find that they actually managed to take Syria after Ain Jalut.
It was the internal difficulties withing the Mongol Empire itself that prevented an full scale invasion of Europe.
No. Initially it was the news of Ogodei's death.
The biggest problem, however, was that the Mongol borders were too overextended, and such an ambitious campaign as to conquer Europe would require many men, resources, and time. Subotai predicted that it would take 18 years to complete. In short, it was simply too difficult for the Mongols to invade and control Europe without jeapordizing their previous holdings.
They were not over extended at that time and at that time the empire was a united one.

.......Orda