That which is notable is the fact that the Mongols had since...

That which is notable is the fact that the Mongols had since then the conquest of Baghdad in their plans. Nearly twenty-one years before the fall of Baghdad, when al-Mustansir bi-Allah was the caliph, the Mongols had launched attacks on the city. This practically shows that individuals like Khwajah Nasir al-Din could not have played a role in instigating the invaders and that the Mongols were already on the move in this direction.

Rashid al-Din refers to the Mongol attack of the years 634/1236 and 635/1237, in the following words: History on the Khwajah's Role: In the beginning of the mentioned period, the Abbasid caliph was al-Mustansir bi-Allah. The Mongol forces under the orders of Baychownian were dispatched for attack and they laid siege to Arbil .... When the Caliph learnt about it, he sent Shams al-Din Arsalan with three thousand cavalrymen.

When the Mongols came to know about it, they immediately lifted the siege and retreated. The Caliph asked the jurists to rule as to which of the two, hajj and jihad, should take precedence, and the fatwa was given by consensus in favour of jihad. Then he ordered that the hajj pilgrimage that year be deferred. He ordered the scholars and the jurists, the elite and the ordinary people of Baghdad to train themselves in archery and the use of arms.

He also ordered the ditch and rampart of Baghdad to be built. the Mongols returned another time with the purpose of taking Arbil .... Furthermore, he commanded Amir Arsalan Takin to station himself together with his forces outside Baghdad, awaiting the arrival of the Mongols. When the Mongols came to know about it, they changed their direction towards Daquq and the towns, around Baghdad, killing, pillaging and taking captives .... The Mongols were routed and forced to retreat from Jabal Himrin.

The Turks and the Caliph's slaves pursued them, killing many and liberating the captives of Arbil and Daquq. [^25] Several similar reports pertaining to the attacks in the years 632-635/1234-1237 have been given by other historians. [^26] According to a report by Ibn Al al-Hadid, who himself witnessed the Mongol onslaughts, a Mongol force led by Bajaktai, the Junior, attacked Baghdad on 17 Rabi al-'Awwal 643/1245, which was repulsed and the assailants retreated.

[^27] In the year 647/1249 too, the Mongols attacked, this time Khanaqin. [^28] The earlier attack of 643/1245, mentioned by Ibn Abi al-Hadid, is mentioned by Ibn - al-Kazeruni (d.