Batu Khan led the Mongol invasion of Europe in the 1240s. He was the son of Jochi and a grandson of Genghis Khan, and he became the principal ruler of the Mongol territories that developed into the Golden Horde.
The European campaign began with the conquest of Volga Bulgaria and the subjugation of several Rus’ principalities. In 1241, Mongol forces invaded Poland and Hungary. They defeated European armies at the Battle of Legnica in Poland and the Battle of Mohi in Hungary, demonstrating the effectiveness of their mobility, intelligence, and coordinated cavalry tactics.
Batu was the overall political and military leader, while the brilliant general Subutai planned and directed much of the field strategy. The Mongols withdrew from central Europe in 1242 after the death of Great Khan Ögedei, although historians debate the exact balance of political and strategic reasons.
Kublai later ruled China, Hulagu conquered and governed Persia, and Ariq Böke contested Kublai for the imperial throne. None of them led this European campaign.