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Tumu Crisis

Type Event Region Asia Time 1449

In 1449, Ming emperor Yingzong personally campaigned against the Oirats but was ambushed at Tumu Fortress, where the Ming army was annihilated, leadi…

Timeline

  1. 1449Juyong Pass · BeijingEsan led Oirat forces to raid the frontier; urged on by the eunuch Wang Zhen, Ming emperor Yingzong resolved to campaign in person, mustering over 500,000 troops from the capital garrison and regional commands through Juyong Pass, first reaching the Xuanfu–Datong line.
  2. 1449Xuanfu · HebeiThe Ming army reached Datong without finding battle and withdrew south; Wang Zhen insisted on detouring via Yuzhou to display prestige, delaying the march; Oirat cavalry pursued, the Ming rearguard was defeated, baggage lost, morale collapsed, and the army retreated to the Tumu Fortress area near Xuanfu.
  3. 1449Tumu Fortress · HebeiThe Ming army was trapped at Tumu Fortress with its water supply cut off; Esan closed in from all sides and launched a general assault, routing the Ming army, with hundreds of thousands of officers and men killed or wounded, many nobles including Duke of Britain Zhang Fu falling in battle, and the emperor himself captured.

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