Category: Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan was born in 1162 throughout his life he did a variety of things some may consider evil or great. Ghengis is primarily known now for having over 16 million descendants. However, he did much more.

Genghis Khan born Temüjin was born in Delüün Boldog(Note that I copy and paste names and places because I didn’t know how to write them on my PC). As a young child, he was very timid. He was easily frightened, scared of dogs, and often bullied by his older half-brothers. His father was very neglectful and once forgot Temüjin when the tribe was packing up to move to a new location. When he was eight Temüjin was betrothed to Börte. When Temüjin’s father had died from poisoning by a rival tribe, Temujin and his mother were left with no one to provide for them as well as his father’s other wives and children. When Temüjin’s tribe was on the move they left Temüjin and his mother behind. However, Temüjin and his mother followed the tribe, waiving the father’s banner to keep the memory of the great warrior alive. Along their travels, an old man took pity upon them and chastised the tribe for leaving behind the family of a warrior. For His kindness, the man was stabbed through the chest with a spear. This marked a turning point in Temüjin’s life that would eventually turn this young boy into Genghis Khan. That night the tribe stole the family’s animals and left seemingly condemning them to certain death. However, Temüjin’s mother, Hoelun, spent days foraging for food. The children bent her sewing needles into fish hooks; they also made sticks into arrows to hunt small animals. They learned to tie Bones to their shoes to make ice skates. Both to play and to hunt small animals across the Ice. Temüjin learned not only survival tactics but fundamental tactics. In the isolation, Temüjin had few friends apart from his half-siblings. However, he did manage to befriend another child whose family sometimes camped nearby. The child was a slightly older boy named Jamukha. The boys hunted, played, and explored mountains together. Twice in their childhood, they swore to be blood brothers. The first time, early in their friendship they traded dice made of the knucklebones of sheep. The second time, as young teenagers, they traded handmade arrowheads. After years of surviving as outcasts, Temüjin’s older brother began to assert himself as the leader. To establish dominance he stole a fish Temüjin had caught, later that same day he stole a bird Temüjin had shot while hunting. Upset, Temüjin and his other half-brother went to their mother to tell her what happened. She said that they should worry more about the tribe who had abandoned them than fighting among themselves. This made Temüjin very angry and he stormed out. By this point, Temüjin had had enough of other people stealing from him. He went on to kill the half-brother who had stolen his things and became the oldest male in the family. This made him a criminal, he was promptly captured by the tribe who had abandoned him years before.

After Temüjin was captured he was made to be a servant to the slaves however he did not resign to this fate. He bided his time waiting for the right moment. One day he was put under the care of a small and easily distracted young boy. The warriors had spent the day drinking and so were intoxicated. When no one was looking Temüjin quickly knocked the boy unconscious, after which he hid in some reeds. He knew his captors would assure he ran away and would chase after him. Once the tribe attempted to follow the trail they presumed he left on he escaped from the reeds into the night. Now 17 years old Temüjin had not seen his intended wife in years. He went to find her and surprisingly she had waited for him to return. Despite knowing of his troubles with other tribes her family allowed the marriage to proceed. According to custom the wives were supposed to give their husband’s fathers gifts on the wedding day. The family offered Temüjin a fine coat of black sable, the finest coat on the steppe. But since Temüjin’s father was long dead, he had a better idea for how to use the coat. He approached an old ally of his father, Ongh Khan, the leader of a prosperous tribe. Yesugei had fought by Ong Khan’s side and helped him overthrow his uncle to become the tribe’s leader. Family ties were very important in steppe culture. Alliances very often were never written down but were more forged in blood. Anyone you were related to was your ally, everyone else was seen as an enemy. By presenting the coat to Ong Khan he was symbolically recognizing Ong Khan as his father. Ong Khan accepted therefore recognizing Temüjin as his son. Which entitled both him and his family to the protection of the Khan. He offered to make Temüjin a local leader over young warriors, but to the Khans’ surprise, Temüjin politely declined. With his family’s protection guaranteed he returned to his home camp to attempt to have a peaceful life at home. He perceived that all his troubles were behind him now that all the children were old enough to work in some way. They had their own camp and they were under the protection of a powerful khan. However, the harsh world of the step would not allow such a life. Learning that Temüjin had married, the tribe from which Temüjin’s father had stolen Temüjin’s mother, Hoelun, decided that the time was ripe to take revenge for Hoeluns abduction.

Although Temüjin’s father was no longer alive revenge was a family obligation. But the Merkits came not to reclaim Hoelun, now a widow who had grown old struggling to raise five children, but for Börte, Temüjin’s young bride. News traveled quickly on the steppe so the stories of Temüjin’s daring escape and the recent alliance with Ong Khan spread far and wide. They saw an opportunity to knock Temüjin down a peg before he got overwhelmingly powerful. An old woman at Temüjins camp was sleeping with her head on the ground and suddenly she was awoken by the sound of hives hitting the ground, quickly approaching the camp. She alerted the camp of this but they had very little time to prepare for the oncoming attack so Temüjin, his allies, mother, and 5-year-old child all mounted horses and took evasive action. However Börte had stayed behind, it is unclear if this was her choice or if Temüjin lost track of her in the confusion, possibly he could have left her behind in a calculated move to escape. If it was on purpose then it was most definitely effective, when the Markets found Börte they immediately halted their pursuit and took her captive. Temüjin had fled to the mountains, lying low and following the elk trails he had known since childhood. After roughly four days he emerged, he saw that the coast was clear, was overcome with gratitude. He vowed to value the mountains as a place that allowed him to survive the pillaging of his tribe. Genghis Khan saw his survival as a sign from spirits that he was special. He was devastated at the loss of his wife.

Months later Genghis Khan would get his wife back from the Markets. Temüjin turned to Toghrul for support, and Toghrul offered 20,000 of his Karaite warriors and suggested that Temüjin involve his childhood friend Jamukha, who had himself become Khan of his own tribe, the Jadaran. The resulting campaign was wildly successful and the markets were completely annihilated. However, during the battle, an argument between Jamukha and Genghis Khan had occurred and it was the beginning of a rift between the two. After the raid, it was discovered that Börte had been raped by the Merkits and 9 months later had a child named John. Genghis Khan always claimed that the child was his but due to the timing of Jochis birth its seems unlikely.

Genghis Khan, a Mongolian leader, was born into impoverished and unstable upbringings and rose to create the largest empire in history, covering 11 to 12 million square miles at its zenith. However, his journey commenced as he struggled into the world of the steppe, firmly gripping a large, black blood clot around the size of a knuckle bone. Many speculate that the blood clot foreshadowed and symbolized fortune and eminence, while others perceived the clot as the foretelling of curse and misfortune. The blood clot highlighting the controversy of Genghis Khan within his own tribe prefigures the controversy of the type of person he is perceived to be in the contemporary world. Despite the prominent negative connotation associated with the Mongols, anthropology professor Jack Weatherford utilizes Genghis Khan’s life, his establishment of the Mongol Empire, and its long term effects still present in humanity today, in his book “Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World,” in order to put an end to the ignorance pertaining to the Mongol’s immense successes.

The first division of Weatherford’s book is titled “The Reign of Terror on the Steppe” and comprises the social and political aspects of Mongolia and the life of Temujin, the birth name of Genghis Khan. The young boy and his family had been outcasted from their tribe after the death of his father, leading to an often perilous life. Temujin persevered through such times of misfortune from the aid of the Eternal Blue Sky and his animistic beliefs, as well as from his blood brother, Jamuka. The two fished, hunted, and played various games with one another, consummating a sound friendship and later became and as, “a bond that was supposed to be stronger than that between biological brothers because and freely chose their tie” (Weatherford 22). However, over the years the bond formed between the two would result in conflict and war. After Jamuka’s clan does not return one winter, Temujin began rising in the ranks, and in doing so, he gained the loyalty and respect of others. He knew when to lead and when to follow, he would judge others by their actions rather than their wealth status, his actions were guided by the Burkhan Khaldun and his belief in animism, he was religiously tolerant, and none of his generals deserted him throughout his six decades as a warrior and he, in return, never punished or harmed one of them. His belief that “no victory was ever decisive, no peace permanent” (42-43) along with his perseverance, determination, and ambition aided him in defeating his once childhood friend, Jamuka, despite previous defeats, to unite the scattered Mongol clans into one nation, and to massively expand his empire.

The second portion of the book, titled “The Mongol World War,” depicts Genghis Khan’s expansion of the Mongolian borders and powers, as well as the alteration of Mongol customs and traditions. Genghis Khan is able to expand his empire and conquer The Golden Khan of the Jurchen Dynasty, the kingdoms of the Tangut, the Uighur, the Black Khitan, the province of Otrar, the Sultan in the Khwarizm Empire, and numerous other civilizations, as well as the redirecting the Silk Roads, through unique war tactics and strategies. Despite being outnumbered two to one in copious amounts of battles, they seemed to always succeed because before attacking, “they wanted to know everyone in the area, every resource, and they always sought to have a ready path of retreat should it be needed” (Weatherford 86), they were much healthier and stronger than other men due to their protein and calcium-enriched diet, they utilized a decimal organization system for their army in which was uninformed into concentric circles, creating confusion and instilling fear, their goals were centered around winning, and they were cohesive and disciplined from millennia of being nomads.

Born around 1162 near the border of Mongolia, Ghengis Khan was given his name after becoming the first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. Originally named Temüjin, Genghis had a rough childhood. His mother had been kidnapped by his father and forced into marriage. At the same time, nomadic tribes on the central Asian steppe were in a persistent war that involved killing and stealing from one another. This made life for young Temüjin harsh and unpredictable. Before the age of ten, his father, Yesugei, was poisoned, an outcome of fighting among the clans. This resulted in Temüjin’s own clan deserting him, his mother, and his six siblings so they wouldn’t have to feed them. Shortly after, Temüjin killed his older half-brother and became the head of his poverty-stricken household. In 1178 Temüjin married Börte, and together they had four sons and an unknown number of daughters. Years later, his wife Börte was kidnapped. He launched a dangerous rescue mission to get her back while along the way creating alliances and building a reputation as a fearless warrior, enticing a growing number of followers. Most of what we know of Temujin’s early life comes from “The Secret History of the Mongols,”. This book is the oldest known work of The Mongols and was written shortly after his death.

Many believe that his unification of the Mongols, rather than the conquests he led taking over Asia, was the more impressive feat. Unifying the Mongols was no easy task. This meant uniting a whole series of disparate tribes, who have been fighting each other for years. Because of his fearless leadership, Genghis succeeded and brought all the tribes together into one confederation. This was a grand achievement that marked the start of the Mongolian Empire. As a result of the newly created confederation, in 1206, a meeting of the Khuriltai(a group of Mongol nobility) gave their new leader the title of “Genghis Khan”, meaning Khan of All Between the Oceans. This prestigious title was an acknowledgment by the Mongol nobles of Genghis Leadership and their loyalty. From that point on Temüjin would be the Khan of all who lived in Mongolia and leader of the ruthless Mongol army.

Going against custom, Genghis put trusted allies rather than blood relatives in powerful positions. This allowed Genghis to have more control. During the 1206 political rise of Genghis, the Mongolian Empire he created shared its eastern and southern border with the Jin dynasty and its western border with the Xi Xia dynasty. Genghis went to work organizing and preparing an attack on the Western Xia dynasty of the Tanguts, which was closest to the Mongolian lands. He correctly presumed that the more powerful, inexperienced ruler of the Jin dynasty would not help supply the Xi Xia. When the Tanguts asked for help, the Jin dynasty refused. Despite early complications, Genghis managed to capture the well-defended cities and forced Xi Xia to surrender to him.

In 1211, after the surrender of Western Xia, Genghis wasn’t satisfied. He prepared his people, city, and the cavalry for an assault on the Jin Dynasty. Wanyan Juijin, the head general in charge of the Jin Army, made a costly mistake by not attacking when he should’ve. Instead, he sent a messenger, who later defected and told the Mongols that the Jin army set up camp just around the corner. This allowed the Mongols to surprise the Jin army, resulting in a massacre. Hundreds of thousands of Jin troops died at this engagement fought at Yearling. A few years later, Genghis captured the Jin capital of Zhongdu. Forced to move his capital south to Kaifeng, Emperor Xuanzong abandons the northern half of his empire to the Mongols.

Weatherford’s thesis statement, “The startling true history of how one extraordinary man from a remote corner of the world created an empire that led the world into the modern age”. Weatherford’s thesis is correct because he outlawed slavery and redistributed the wealth he gained, established free trade along the silk road and created one of the first international postal systems, as well as left conquered cities alone along he promoted people based on individual merit.

To begin, the argument of Weatherford is correct, as Genghis Khan outlawed slavery and redispersed his riches. Genghis Khan acknowledged that slavery produced resentment and economic pressure. During his youth, he and his wife Börte had also been a slave themselves when the opposing clan kidnapped him. As Genghis Khan decided to reform the Mongol people, he forbade Mongols to be treated as servants or slaves. Genghis Khan is often identified as one of History’s richest people–but only for the territory, he has occupied. Instead of collecting the money and commodities which Genghis obtained from winning, Genghis gave them back to his soldiers, who had otherwise been barred from plundering without permission.

To follow, Weatherford’s thesis is accurate because he established free trade along the silk road and he created one of the first international postal systems. Genghis Khan believed in the unifying and useful knowledge of foreign trade because many of his informants were spies. Genghis converted the cities and towns he captured into trading centers while moving through Asia. His conquests into Europe have set up key trade routes between East and West over time. Knowledge was the force in the kingdom of Genghis Khan; that is why a Pony-like express messaging system known as the Yam was one of his first instructions as emperor. Rider delivered messages over a network of huts and was constantly changing mounts, doing as much as 200 miles a day. In addition to delivering messages, drivers were also spies who could observe the powers of the enemy and keep track of assimilated settlements.

To end, Weatherford’s thesis is true because Genghis Khan left conquered cities alone along he promoted people based on individual merit. Upon taking a region, Genghis Khan was leaving some officials behind to oversee local relations and mostly to let people live on if, of course, they were loyal to the Grand Empire. Most people knew more than to fight to their conscience. Nevertheless, a few people faced, again and again, the anger of the whole force. Nishapur, in 1221, tried his luck and saw every last man murdered in what is today northern-eastern Iran. Before Genghis Khan’s day, the feudal system in all Asia awarded aristocratic rights and births in particular. While being the son of a dictator, Genghis scorns the scheme and introduces a modern system that rewards allegiance and individual achievement in the arena as it moves over the globe.

In conclusion, Weatherford’s thesis is correct because Genghis Khan outlawed slavery and redistributed the wealth he gained, he established free trade along the silk road and he created one of the first international postal systems and left conquered cities alone along with he promoted people based on individual merit. Genghis Khan and his wife had previously been enslaved, so they knew what it caused, and he scattered his wealth among his soldiers. One of his first rules was a postal system, and while conquering Europe making a free trade system. He would also, after conquering a city, would leave a few people to oversee but essentially let them live their lives, and he favored individual development. Genghis Khan led the world into the common era by outlawing slavery, establishing free trade, and creating the first international postal system, as well as leaving his conquering cities to rule themselves as well as encouraging people to pursue their individuality.

Genghis Khan is perceived as the first distinguished leader of the Mongol Empire. Genghis Khan (born Temujin) was born approximately 1162 on the steppes of Mongolia where he had many significant achievements like expanding and uniting the tribes into the Mongol Empire and also codifying laws that would apply to the entire Empire for years to come. With forceful military training, came many successes which Genghis Khan lead his Empire to victory, expanding into Central Asia. Temujin was born around 1162 and raised by Hoelun (Temujin’s Mother) and Yesugei (Temujin’s Father). Hotel who was kidnapped by Yesegei, married and had a child, Temujin. Temujin’s traditional life consisted of catching his own food like fish and birds and most of the time his older brothers didn’t appreciate him and Yesugei did not show much love to him. In Mongolia, the weather conditions were harsh; really cold winters and sweltering summers. Due to this Mongols are nomads, which means they are regularly travelling and have no set home. Because of the aforementioned, it is said that Temujin would be occasionally forgotten while travelling to a new location. In Mongol tribes, women are well respected and are seen to be quite intelligent. It is stated that Temujin would always listen to his Mother for guidance. When Temujin turned eight, Yesegei established Temujin to marry a girl from Hoelun’s traditional tribe. He arranged Temujin to marry a girl named Bortë, whom Temujin engaged later on. Following this, Temujin encountered his father’s death from being poisoned by another tribe. As Yesegei was longer viable, Hoelun had to prepare Temujin and his siblings on how to become a warrior by teaching; horse riding and shooting. She also periodically gave sage advice and guidance. Temujin took the responsibility and became the leader of his clan. But, as he grew into a teenager, the clan feared his potential and wanted Temujin removed from the clan. Hotel progressed Temujin and his siblings away from the steppe for soundness and safety. Temujin approached a

Genghis Khan is perceived as the first distinguished leader of the Mongol Empire. Genghis Khan (born Temujin) was born approximately 1162 on the steppes of Mongolia where he had many significant achievements like expanding and uniting the tribes into the Mongol Empire and also codifying laws that would apply to the entire Empire for years to come. With forceful military training, came many successes which Genghis Khan lead his Empire to victory, expanding into Central Asia.

Temujin was born around 1162 and raised by Hoelun (Temujin’s Mother) and Yesugei (Temujin’s Father). Hoelun who was kidnapped by Yesegei, married and had a child, Temujin. Temujin’s traditional life consisted of catching his own food like fish and birds and most of the time his older brothers didn’t appreciate him and Yesugei did not show much love to him. In Mongolia, the weather conditions were harsh; really cold winters and sweltering summers. Due to this Mongols are nomads, which means they are regularly travelling and have no set home. Because of the aforementioned, it is said that Temujin would be occasionally forgotten while travelling to a new location. In Mongol tribes, women are well respected and are seen to be quite intelligent. It is stated that Temujin would always listen to his Mother for guidance. When Temujin turned eight, Yesegei established Temujin to marry a girl from Hoelun’s traditional tribe. He arranged Temujin to marry a girl named Bortë, whom Temujin engaged later on. Following this, Temujin encountered his father’s death from being poisoned by another tribe. As Yesegei was longer viable, Hoelun had to prepare Temujin and his siblings on how to become a warrior by teaching; horse riding and shooting. She also periodically gave sage advice and guidance. Temujin took the responsibility and became the leader of his clan. But, as he grew into a teenager, the clan feared his potential and wanted Temujin removed from the clan. Hoelun progressed Temujin and his siblings away from the steppe for soundness and safety. Temujin approached a shaman who was acquaintances to his father, Ong Khan, who said that Temujin would become Khan and he believed he survived his misfortunes because he was destined for greatness; that he and his sons would rule the world. At the age of 18, he was chosen as the Khan of his tribe. Temujin became Temujin Khan. Following this, another tribe member saw other tribes or enemies approaching and alerted Temujin. Temujin came to Ong Khan to ask for 20,000 warriors.

Genghis was a powerful ruler of the Mongols. He ruled over the Mongols, leading them in war, and influencing them to unite; into the Mongol Empire. In the Mongol Empire, Genghis was the first great leader, and there were no previous successors as the tribes were not united and they were very separate. Also, no one was high in rank than Genghis Khan. Other tribes joined Genghis Khan because of alliances for wars as they may have been mistreated in their own tribes; He showed great potential as a Khan. Genghis Khan had many working for him, after conquering many places he employed people from the conquered area to serve him. Genghis Khan had an imperial guard, known as Keshig who was trusted to organising and administer the Mongol empire. After the defeat of the Jin dynasty, Genghis Khan selected a former Jin minister as a key advisor to also serve him.

Before Genghis Khan, the Mongol Empire was separated into tribes and clans. As Genghis Khan started to rule, he created alliances between tribes to combine them into one group; the Mongol Empire. The Mongol Empire conquered Beijing and the Empire expanded into Central Asia.