The Ghurid defeat at Andkhud ended their expansion into Khorasan and set in motion the eventual Khwarazmian overthrow of the Ghurid empire by 1215.
Key Facts
- Year of battle
- 1204
- River site
- Bank of river Oxus near Andkhoy
- Outcome for Ghurids
- Complete rout; Muhammad of Ghor forced to retreat
- Ransom paid
- Heavy ransom paid to Tayangu for safe retreat to Ghazna
- Ghurid empire fell
- Overthrown by Khwarazmians in 1215
- Muhammad of Ghor assassinated
- 15 March 1206 at Damyak
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After the death of Tekish of Khwarezm, the Ghurids invaded and annexed much of Khorasan during a Khwarazmian succession struggle. Alauddin Shah of Khwarezm eventually reclaimed lost territories and sought peace, but the Ghurids refused his overtures and, following the death of Ghiyath al-Din in 1203, Muhammad of Ghor launched a full-scale invasion, besieging Khwarazmian capital Gurganz.
Unable to press the siege of Gurganz, the Ghurids retreated when a combined Qara Khitai and Qarakhanid force arrived to aid Khwarezm. The Qara Khitai forces under Tayangu of Taraz pursued the retreating Ghurids and decisively routed them near the river Oxus at Andkhud. Muhammad of Ghor escaped only through the intervention of Uthman of Qarakhanid and by paying a heavy ransom.
The defeat caused the Ghurids to lose most of Khorasan, and slave generals rebelled within the core Ghurid domain. Muhammad of Ghor suppressed these revolts but was assassinated in 1206 before he could avenge the defeat. His successor was compelled to acknowledge Khwarazmian suzerainty, and the Ghurid empire was ultimately overthrown by the Khwarazmians in 1215.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Muhammad of Ghor.
Side B
3 belligerents
Tayangu of Taraz, Uthman of Qarakhanid.