Battle of Ain Jalut

Timeline

1. 1258–1260Syria and Egypt · LevantAfter the Mongols captured Baghdad in 1258, Hulegu continued westward, taking Damascus and other places. In 1259 Möngke Khan died; Hulegu led his main force east to contest the khaganate, leaving only Kitbuqa with a smaller force to hold Syria. Meanwhile, the Mamluks in Egypt overthrew the remaining Ayyubid powers; Qutuz became sultan and actively prepared the army to resist the Mongol threat.
2. 1260Line from Gaza to Ain Jalut · PalestineIn 1260 Qutuz personally led the Mamluk army north from Egypt, crossing Gaza into Palestine. Kitbuqa led Mongol and vassal forces south to meet them. The Mamluks used a tactic of luring the enemy deep, drawing the Mongols into the narrow terrain of the Jezreel Valley to create favorable conditions for the decisive battle.
3. 1260Ain Jalut · Jezreel ValleyThe two sides fought fiercely near Ain Jalut (Spring of the Warriors). Mamluk cavalry repeatedly struck the Mongol lines with flexible mobile tactics; Baybars led the left wing in a feigned retreat to lure the enemy, and Qutuz's center and right wings then attacked together. The Mongols, outnumbered and disadvantaged by terrain, were routed; Kitbuqa was captured and executed. This battle is regarded as the first decisive Mongol defeat in open battle.
4. 1260Syria and Palestine · LevantAfter the defeat, Mongol forces quickly withdrew from Syria and Palestine, and the plan to advance west into Egypt was completely halted. The Mamluks promptly recovered Damascus and other places, becoming the new dominant power in the Levant. Qutuz was assassinated on his triumphal return, and Baybars succeeded as sultan. The Battle of Ain Jalut thus became a landmark event in the shift of Middle Eastern power in the 13th century.