Temur Malik was the governor of Khujand when the Mongols attacked the Khwarezmian Empire in 1219. Mongol forces marched down the Syr Darya in early 1220, taking Fanakat and swiftly made way to Khujand. With only 1,000 men, Temur Malik chose to entrench himself in a fortified island of the Syr Darya, out of reach of arrow and catapult. Not to be outdone, the Mongols forced their prisoners to carry stones to dam the river. The defenders, rather than sit idly by, provided in response 12 barges covered with wet felts that had been layered with clay which was kneaded with vinegar. With arrow loops built in, the Khwarezmian forces had fire and arrow proof shelters from which to harass and halt Mongol efforts. After some time, Temur Malik was forced to make his escape down the Syr Darya, not due to Mongol arrows but as he was running low on food and supplies. To  learn more about Temur Malik's adventures against the Mongols, check out my video on him: youtu.be/Z-X0VEDHMP4
