6 – Subutai (1175? – 1248) [Genghis Khan]
Subutai was the chief military strategist of none other than Genghis Khan and was also Ogedai Khan’s number one commander. During his extraordinary career, Subutai was involved in over 20 campaigns, conquered territory in over 30 countries and won an estimated 65 battles. Also, he is believed to have conquered more territory than any other commander in history. One of his greatest strengths was his ability to coordinate the movements of his armies even when they were hundreds of miles apart.
Subutai was born in around 1175 (although some historians believe he could have been born as early as 1160) in Mongolia. As part of the Uriankhai clan, his family had been associated with the family of Genghis Khan for several generations. However, Subutai was a ‘commoner,’ his father was a blacksmith, so there was no favoritism involved in his ascent to power.
He joined the army of Khan when he was just 14 years of age, and within a decade, Subutai had risen to the rank of general, and he distinguished himself during the invasion of Northern China in 1211. Subutai took Huan the following year, and Khan referred to him as one of his “dogs of war.” He became known for adopting innovative and ingenious strategies and was one of the first Mongol generals to understand the importance of siege warfare. He won so many great battles that there isn’t space to list even half of them, but they included the Kalka in 1223, Sanfeng in 1232, Hermannstadt in 1241 and Mohl in 1241. The latter battle came just a day after the Mongols had won at the Battle of Legnica.
In 1241, Subutai was discussing an invasion of the Holy Roman Empire when he heard the news that Ogedei Khan had died; an event that ended invasion plans and changed the course of history. His campaign against the Song Dynasty in 1246/47 was his last major military escapade. He retired to Mongolia and died near Ulaanbaatar in 1248. Unlike so many western commanders who used to fight at the front of the army, Subutai remained on elevated ground to observe the battle and give orders by waving flags. This tactic enabled him to make quick-fire, tactical adjustments in the heat of battle.