One of Timur's rare battlefield defeats, the Battle of Tashkent allowed the Mongols to besiege Samarkand, which was ultimately saved by its own citizens.
Key Facts
- Date
- 30 May 1365
- Also known as
- Battle of the Mire / Battle of the Marshes
- Duration
- Two days
- Outcome
- Mongol victory; Samarkand besieged
- Mongol commander
- Haji Ilyas (Ilyas Khoja)
- Timur's co-commander
- Amir Hussein
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Chagatai Khanate under Haji Ilyas launched a renewed Mongol incursion into the region in 1365. Timur and his ally Amir Hussein mobilized their forces and marched toward Tashkent to intercept the invading army before it could advance further.
The battle lasted two days. After an inconclusive first day, Timur initially repelled the Mongols on the second, but Mongol general Semsheddin Beg rallied a unit and routed him. Amir Hussein was also defeated and retreated toward Samarkand, leaving Timur no choice but to abandon the field in one of his rare military defeats.
With both Timur and Amir Hussein having fled, the Mongols advanced and besieged Samarkand. Neither commander came to the city's relief; instead, the inhabitants of Samarkand organized their own defense and successfully repelled the Mongol besiegers without aid from their leaders.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Timur (Tamerlane), Amir Hussein.
Side B
1 belligerent
Haji Ilyas (Ilyas Khoja), Semsheddin Beg.