Battle of Khotyn(1621)
Background
At the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century, the magnates of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth intervened in the affairs of Moldavia, a vassal state of the Ottoman Empire since its conquest by Mehmed II in the 15th century. Additionally, the Ottomans were aggravated by the constant raids into their territories by Ukrainian Cossacks, then nominal subjects of the Commonwealth. In the meantime, the Thirty Years' War raged across Europe. The Commonwealth was relatively uninvolved in this war but the Polish King Sigismund III Vasa sent an elite and ruthless mercenary unit, the Lisowczycy, to aid his Habsburg allies in Vienna, since his brother-in-law was the Emperor. They defeated George Rákóczi of Transylvania at the Battle of Humenné in 1619. Gabriel Bethlen, the reigning Prince of Transylvania, asked Sultan Osman II for aid. The sultan agreed and a large Ottoman army was gathered for a punitive invasion of the Commonwealth. On 20 September 1620, an Ottoman army under the command of the governor of Oczakov (Ozi) Iskender Pasha routed the Commonwealth army at the Battle of Cecora, captured Stanisław Koniecpolski and beheaded Stanisław Żółkiewski, sending Tatar raiders to ravage southern Poland.
Campaign: Polish-Ottoman War 1620–1621
Forces Engaged
The Battle
The massive Ottoman invasion force was halted by heavily entrenched Commonwealth and Zaporozhian Cossack troops in fortified positions along the Dniester. The Treaty of Khotyn affirmed the status quo.
The Battle of Khotyn or Battle of Chocim or Khotyn War (in Turkish: Hotin Muharebesi) was a combined siege and series of battles which took place from 2 September to 9 October 1621 between a Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, commanded by the Grand Hetman of Lithuania Jan Karol Chodkiewicz, against an invading Ottoman Imperial army, led by Sultan Osman II, which was stopped until the first autumn snows. On 9 October, due to the lateness of the season and heavy losses – due to failed assaults on Commonwealth fortifications – the Ottomans abandoned their siege and the battle concluded with a Polish–Lithuanian–Cossack victory. Chodkiewicz died on 24 September 1621 shortly before concluding a treaty with the Turks.
Casualties & Outcome
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth & Cossacks achieved victory over Ottoman Empire.
The Treaty of Khotyn restored the pre-war border. Osman II's failure provoked a Janissary revolt in which the Sultan was deposed and killed — the first regicide in Ottoman history.
Historical Record
Significance & Legacy
Ended the Polish-Ottoman War of 1620–1621 and secured Moldavia's buffer status. The military failure triggered a Janissary revolt that deposed and murdered Sultan Osman II in 1622, destabilizing the entire Ottoman political system.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Battle of Khotyn?
- The Battle of Khotyn took place in 1621. Sep – Oct 1621.
- Who won the Battle of Khotyn?
- The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth & Cossacks were victorious against the Ottoman Empire.
- What was the significance of the Battle of Khotyn?
- Ended the Polish-Ottoman War of 1620–1621 and secured Moldavia's buffer status. The military failure triggered a Janissary revolt that deposed and murdered Sultan Osman II in 1622, destabilizing the entire Ottoman political system.