Subutai was, and is, living proof that the Mongol Empire, more than any that had preceded it, was a Meritocracy. He was the son of Qaban reportedly in Mongolian history a mere Blacksmith, who brought his son to serve Genghis Khan when he was circa 17 years old, and through merit, he rose to the very highest command available to one who was not of the direct line of Genghis Khan. Genghis Khan called him one of his "dogs of war" and he earned that fearful name with his campaigns, which remain among the most remarkable in history.
Subutai said to Genghis Khan "I will ward off your enemies like felt cloth protects one from the wind."
Subutai was one of the first Mongol generals outside Genghis Khan himself who realized the value of engineers in siege warfare. Even in combat in the field he made use of siege engines, much as the Roman troops had earlier. This was a "new" tactic for the forces he faced in Europe and the steppe, one they were unprepared to meet. Subutai was also well known for incorporating conquered peoples into his forces, especially those such as engineers who brought specialized skills. He brought intelligence gathering and advance planning to a fine art, for instance, using spies to gather information on the Russian principalities, the Poles and Hungarians at least a year before the attacks on each. He tailored his strategy to the foe he faced, altering his tactics as the opponents, the land, and the weather, changed. He emphasized light cavalry as the primary foundation of his army, and made sure that his troops were mobile and self sufficient. This emphasis on light cavalry was particularly wryly amusing since he himself grew so heavy that he had to literally be hauled around in a wagon! Yet his mind more than made up for his fat and failing body. He was an incredible military mind, who is considered, and rightly so, as one of the single finest military strategists of all history. He was that rarest of assets, a genius of war who could both plan the strategic campaign, and alter tactics in the midst of the chaos of a battlefield.
The attack on Europe was planned and carried out by Subutai, who achieved perhaps his most lasting fame with his victories there. Having devastated the various Russian Principalities, he sent spies into Poland, Hungary, and as far as Austria, in preparation for an attack into the heartland of Europe. Having gotten a clear picture of the European Kingdoms, he brilliantly prepared an attack nominally commanded by Batu Khan and 2 other princes of the blood. Batu Khan, son of Jochi, was the overall leader, but Subutai was the actual commander in the field, and as such was present in both the northern and southern campaigns against Russia and Ukraine. He commanded the central column that moved against Hungary. While Kaidu's northern force won the battle of Leignitz and Kadan's army triumphed in Transylvania, Subutai was waiting for them on the Hungarian plain.
King Bela IV of Hungary had summoned a council of war at Gran, a large and important settlement upriver from Buda and Pest. As Batu was advancing on Hungary from the north-east they decided to concentrate their strength at Pest and then head to the north to confront the Mongol army. When news of the Hungarian battle strategy reached the Mongol commanders they slowly withdrew to the Sajo River, drawing their enemies on. This was classic Mongol strategy, perfected by Subutai. He prepared a battlefield and waited. It was a strong position, because woods prevented their ranks from being clearly scouted or seen, while across the river on the plain of Mohi, the Hungarian army was extremely exposed.
Only one day after the smaller army in Poland had won the Battle of Leignitz, Subutai launched the Battle of Mohi during the night of April 10, 1241. At the Mohi, a single division crossed the river in secret to advance on the Hungarian camp from the southern flank. The main body began to cross the Sajo by the bridge at Mohi, and continued to attack the following day. This was met with fierce resistance, so catapults were used to clear the opposite bank. When the crossing was completed the second contingent attacked from the south at the same time.
The result was panic, and to ensure that the Hungarians did not fight desperately to the last man the Mongols left an obvious gap in their encirclement. As Subutai had planned, the fleeing Hungarians poured through this apparent hole in the Mongol lines, which led to a swampy area. When the Hungarian knights split up, the Mongol archers picked them off at will and it was later noted that corpses littered the countryside for the space of a two day journey. Two archbishops and three bishops were killed at the Sajo, plus 40,000 fighting men.
By late 1241, Subutai was discussing plans to invade Austria, Italy and Germany, when the news came of the death of Ögedei Khan, and the Mongols withdrew, as the Princes of the blood, and Subutai, were recalled to Mongolia. As noted previously, only the death of the Great Khan prevented the conquering of the remainder of Europe.
As noted earlier, in the late middle and end of his career Subutai was so fat he had to be hauled to battle in a cart, as horses could not bear his weight! Yet his cunning and tactical brilliance was so valued the Mongols cheerfully hauled him around. Mongolian histories say that Subutai had died by 1248.