Atlas of Battles

siege, medieval

Siege of Gerdkuh

Siege of Gerdkuh was a siege conducted in April 1253 at Gerdkuh, in what is now Iran; it lasted about 17 years. It was part of Mongol invasions and conquests, which ran from 1206 to 1337. The recorded result: Nizzari surrender from want of clothing. Recorded strength: 5000 mongol army; 10000 mongol army; Medieval sources: 5000 knights; 5000 infantary against 110 the garrison.

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Mongolian siege of Gerdkuh. Hayton of Corycus, Fleur des histoires d'orient.
Mongolian siege of Gerdkuh. Hayton of Corycus, Fleur des histoires d'orient.. Unknown authorUnknown author. Catalonia., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
FoughtApril 1253lasted about 17 years
WhereGerdkuh, Iran36.158N, 54.157E
OutcomeNizzari surrender from want of clothing
BelligerentsMongol Empire, succeeded by the Ilkhanate; Bavandids; PaduspanidsagainstNizari Ismaili state (until 1256); Garrison of Gerdkuh; Reinforcements from Alamut
Casualties and losses100 (first siege)andEntire force
Part ofMongol invasions and conquests1206 to 1337

Where it sits in Mongol invasions and conquests

Siege of Multan, 1222Battle of the Kalka River, 1223Siege of Kuju, 1231Battle of Cheoin, 1232Battle of Legnica, 1241Battle of Mohi, 1241Siege of Lahore, 1241Siege of Gerdkuh, 1253Siege of Maymun-Diz, 1256Siege of Alamut, 1256Siege of Lambsar, 1256Capture of Damascus, 1260Siege of Aleppo, 1260Battle of Ain Jalut, 1260Siege of Mosul, 1261Siege of al-Bira, 1272Battle of Bun'ei, 1274Battle of Iki (1274), 1274Battle of Kōan, 1281Second Battle of Homs, 1281Battle of Sind, 1298Battle of Wadi al-Khaznadar, 1299Capture of Damascus, 1300Battle of Aleppo, 1303Battle of Marj al-Saffar, 1303Battle of Amroha, 1305Battle of Ravi, 1306Siege of Anazarba, 1307Siege of Al-Rahba, 131212221312Siege of Gerdkuh, 1253
30 placed engagements of Mongol invasions and conquests in time order; taller ticks are more widely documented. Each tick is a link.

Record

DateApril 1253 (month precision)
to December 1270
PlaceGerdkuh, Iran
36.158N, 54.157E
KindSiege, medieval
Strength5000 mongol army; 10000 mongol army; Medieval sources: 5000 knights; 5000 infantary110 the garrison
Casualties and losses100 (first siege)Entire force
Commanders
  • Kitbuqa
  • Abaqa Khan
  • Muhammad (Bavandid ruler)
  • Shahragim
Siege of GerdkuhSiege of GerdkuhBattle of DamghanBattle of DamghanGorganSariAmolGonbad-e KavusSemnan100 km36.158N, 54.157E
The recorded site, with the nearest other engagements in the atlas. Present-day coastlines, rivers and borders; towns from Natural Earth.

Nearest engagements

In the same war

Elsewhere in 1253

Siege of Gerdkuh is one of 590 engagements of the 13th century in the atlas and one of 157 in present-day Iran.

Sources

Identity, coordinates, dates and the war from Wikidata Q89195518, released under CC0. Result, belligerents, commanders, strength and casualties from the infobox of the English Wikipedia article Siege of Gerdkuh, revision 1370620946, read 2026-11-14, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0; the article's text is not reproduced here. Present-day country and state from Natural Earth. Dates before 1582 follow the Julian calendar as recorded.