Genghis Khan

OnonRiver

Burkhan Khaldun mount3

Djengiz Khân et Toghril Ong Khan

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Serven Khaalga inscription

Mongol Empire c.1207

Genghis Khan (c. 1162 – August 18, 1227), born Temüjin, was the founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death. He came to power by uniting many of the nomadic tribes of Northeast Asia. After founding the Empire and being proclaimed "Genghis Khan", he launched the Mongol invasions that conquered most of Eurasia, reaching as far west as Poland in Europe and the Levant in the Middle East. These campaigns were often accompanied by large-scale massacres of the civilian populations – especially in the Khwarazmian and Western Xia controlled lands. By the end of his life, the Mongol Empire occupied a substantial portion of Central Asia and China.

Early Life

Genghis Khan was born as Temüjin in the Mongolian steppe, near the mountain Burkhan Khaldun and the rivers Onon and Kerulen. The precise date of his birth remains unknown, but is widely believed to be around 1162. He was a member of the Borjigin tribe and a descendant of Khabul Khan, who briefly united Mongols against the Jin dynasty of northern China in the early 12th century. His father, Yesügei, was a chieftain of the Borjigin tribe and a descendant of Khabul Khan. His mother, Hoelun, was from the Olkhunut tribe. After his father was poisoned by Tatars when he was nine, his family was cast out from the tribe and left to die in the harsh Mongolian winter. Temüjin grew up in poverty, learning at an early age the importance of alliances, military strategy, and how to survive in a world where power was the only currency that mattered.

Rise to Power

Temüjin began his slow ascent to power by building a strong alliance through his marriage to Börte of the Onggirat tribe, which helped him to rescue her after she was kidnapped by a rival tribe. This act won him the loyalty of his followers and increased his reputation. Over the years, he managed to unite or subdue the Merkit, Naiman, Mongol, Kerait, and Tatar tribes under his leadership through a combination of outstanding military tactics and sheer brutality. He was proclaimed Genghis Khan of all Mongols in 1206 at a Kurultai, a political and military council.

Conquests

Genghis Khan's conquests started with the invasion of the Western Xia dynasty of northwestern China and continued with the invasion of the Jin dynasty. Mongol tactics, which included the use of composite bows, light cavalry for quick strikes, and an unprecedented level of discipline and unity under the Mongol military code, allowed his armies to defeat larger enemy forces. One of his most significant campaigns was against the Khwarazmian Empire in Central Asia, where in response to the murder of his trade envoy, he invaded and utterly destroyed the empire.

Death and Legacy

Genghis Khan died in 1227 during a campaign against the Western Xia. The cause of his death remains a mystery, with theories including falling from his horse, illness, and wounds from battle. His empire was divided among his sons and grandsons and continued to expand under their rule, eventually covering vast parts of Asia and Europe. Genghis Khan's legacy is complex; he was a ruthless conqueror but also a unifier, who brought the Silk Road under one cohesive political environment. This facilitated trade, cultural exchange, and brought relative peace and stability to the regions he controlled, known as the Pax Mongolica.

Impact on the World

Genghis Khan's impact on the world was profound, not only in terms of the territory conquered but also in the administrative, legal, and cultural changes that his empire brought to the regions under Mongol control. The Yassa, the legal code introduced by Genghis Khan, emphasized loyalty, discipline, and unity among the Mongols and was crucial for maintaining order in his vast empire. His conquests significantly influenced the demographic makeup of Eurasia, reshaped the borders of nations, and affected global trade routes.