Battle of Bolnisi

The Battle of Bolnisi was fought in 1228 near Bolnisi, then part of the Kingdom of Georgia. The invading Khwarazmid Empire was led by Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu, its last Sultan, who was driven from his realm by the Mongol Empire and was trying to recapture lost territories. Georgia assembled its own coalition against Jalal ad-Din: Georgians, Kipchaks, Alans, Vainakhs and Leks assembled 40,000 men. Ill-prepared for battle, the coalition went south to Bolnisi where Jalal ad-Din's forces were waiting. Jalal ad-Din saw Kipchak banners, consisting 20,000 men in the Georgian ranks and appealed to them, 'lending a certain Qoshqar to them with a loaf of bread and salt to remind them of their 'former obligations' to his house. The Kipchaks withdrew support from the Georgians. The battle ended with a Khwarezmid victory and is marked as a disastrous event in Georgian history due to betrayal.