The Mongols make their first appearance in the Georgian possessions when this latter kingdom is still at its zenith, dominating most of the Caucasus.

First contact occurs early in the fall of 1220, when approximately twenty thousand Mongols led by Subutai and Jebe, with the consent of Genghis Khan, proceed west on a reconnaissance mission.

They thrust into Armenia, at this time under Georgian authority, and defeat some sixty thousand Georgians and Armenians commanded by King George IV "Lasha" of Georgia and his atabek (tutor) and spasalar (commander-in-chief) Iwane Mkhargrdzeli at the Battle of Khunan on the Kotman River.

George is severely wounded in the chest.

The Mongol commanders, however, are not inclined to conquer the Caucasus at that time and turn back south to Hamadan, only to return in force in January 1221.