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3 September in military history: the Battle of Ain Jalut, 1260

Military history · 3 September · Mongol wars · Full calendar

Location: Ain Jalut, Jezreel Valley, Israel.
Location: Ain Jalut, Jezreel Valley, Israel. Location map: © Echoes of Battle (data: Natural Earth, public domain)
Quick answer

The Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt won at Ain Jalut on 3 September 1260. Sultan Qutuz and his general Baibars routed a Mongol army under Kitbuqa, who was killed. The Mongols had lost battles before, but this defeat was never reversed.

The Spring of Goliath

The battle was fought in the Jezreel Valley of Galilee, in what is now northern Israel. It was the first defeat that halted the Mongols' westward advance.1

Our article on the Battle of Ain Jalut covers the campaign and its importance. › Battle of Ain Jalut, 1260

Also on this day

Frequently asked questions

When and where was the Battle of Ain Jalut?

It was fought on 3 September 1260 at Ain Jalut, the Spring of Goliath, in the Jezreel Valley of Galilee, in what is now northern Israel.

Who won the Battle of Ain Jalut?

The Egyptian Mamluk Sultanate, under Sultan Qutuz and his general Baibars, defeated the Mongol force led by Kitbuqa. It was a decisive Mamluk victory.

Why was Ain Jalut so important?

It was the first defeat that halted the Mongols' westward advance, and that setback was never reversed.

Notes

A number in the text points to a note; each note names the works that paragraph draws on, listed in full under Sources.

  1. Echoes of Battle, “Battle of Ain Jalut”. ↩

Sources

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