Chakirmaut 1204 - The rise of Genghis Khan

Historical Background

The battle - also known as the battle of the thirteen sides - was the concluding battle of the unification of the Mongolian tribes under Temujin, later more famous as Genghis Khan. It took place at the foot of Mount Naqu in the Altai mountains (modern day Mongolia). Temujin was faced by a coalition of Mongols, Naimans, Merkits and Keraites under the command of Tayang Khan, his son Kuchlug and Jamukha (Temujin's main rival). The forces were enourmous, Temujin could field approximately 66.000 men, the coalition even more. Temujin tried to evade the fire of the enemy archers making a swift frontal assault to pin the center down and let his light cavalry encircle his adversaries. The opposing warriors were pushed back and pressed against the mountains behind them - their fate was sealed. Tayang Khan died in battle, Kuchlug fled with a small force and Jamukha escaped but was later captured and executed. Two years later Temujin was proclaimed Genghis Khan (= universal ruler) and afterwards created one of the biggest empires of all times.

The moment depicted is the fighting of the heavy cavalry in the center at the start of the battle.


The diorama

The figures are all from Zvezda (top quality, espacially the chain mail is impressive to me). The appearance of the warriors on both sides are very similar, so no further changes had to be made. The only tricky problem was to place the bowmen into the close quarter fighting.

The groundwork was made of plaster, MIG light earth ground, gravel, coffee powder, some colour variations, Faller grass and a some Faller foliage (with putty for the flowers).


Photos (click to enlarge)

Video (Youtube)

Sources

David Nicolle & Viacheslav Shpakovsky - Kalka River 1223 (Osprey Campaign 98)
Stephen Turnbull - Genghis Khan & the Mongol Conquests 1190 - 1400 (Osprey Essential Histories 57)

Stephen Turnbull - The Mongols (Osprey Men-at-Arms 105)

Stephen Turnbull - Mongol Warrior 1200 - 1350 (Osprey Warrior 84)
M. Haskew, ... - Fighting techniques of the oriental world 1200 - 1860