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Genghis Khan and the Dauntless Mongol Empire
Genghis Khan, the founder of the Great Mongol Empire is known to have the largest contiguous empire in the world history. It was four times larger than what the great emperor Alexander had conquered and was even greater than what the Romans did in four centuries. His name echoes throughout the history of Asia and Europe with the horrific screams of the doomed people and the pools of blood shedding in the towns which made him consider as an evil incarnate and bloodthirsty terror in human history. No doubt untold millions had died during his invasions; his name is still revered in many parts of Asia because of his superior rule, the reforms introduced and his rectitude for his people. He abolished torture, encouraged trade and was secular. He is a military genius, a good political statesman and a great ruler.
Birth:
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| Ghengis Khan- the founder of Mongol Empire |
There were actually no exact contemporary records about Genghis Khan's childhood; all we know is from the oldest known book "The Secret History of Mongols". According to it, Genghis Khan(Chinggis Khan) was probably born around 1162 A.D. in the Northern Mongolian region. Genghis Khan was originally named Temujin which mean iron or blacksmith which suggests they had descended from the family of blacksmiths. His father Yesukhei was the descendant of Khabul Khan, who successfully united Mongols against the Jin dynasty of Northern China. Yesukhei was the chief of the minor Borijin clan of the nomadic tribes of Mongolia who relied upon hunting. His mother Hoelun was kidnapped by his father when she was returning home with her first husband and she became Yesukhei's second wife. Temujin was born with a blood clot in his right hand, which according to Mongolian folklore was a sign that he was destined to become a great leader.
Early Life:
The childhood of Genghis Khan was rough and extremely vulnerable. He was made to contend with the brutality of life from his childhood. Temujin was left to live with his family of future bride, Borte, who belonged to Ongirrat tribe by his father. His father was poisoned on his way home by the long been enemies Tatars as a revenge for past transgressions. The nomadic Borijin clan ehnic groups didn't accept young Temujin as their leader and he along with his mother and six siblings were deserted to live in the desert lands of Mongolia. It was Hoelun, Temujin's mother held up the whole family after the family patriarch was killed surviving on roots, fruits, and berries. She taught Temujin the basic skills of survival and how to face the grim reality of life.
At 16, Temujin married Borte to cement the alliance with the neighboring tribes. Soon after Borte was abducted by rivals from Merkit tribe and reportedly given away as a wife. He eventually rescued her along with his friend Jamukha. Borte gave birth to four sons and many daughters (daughters weren't mentioned in the records). He had many other morganatic wives as per Mongolian custom, but only the sons of Borte were qualified to succeed him.
Temujin in his adolescence killed his half-brother Behter during a hunting excursion which confirmed his position as head of the family. In another incident he was captured by his father former allies, the Tayichi'ud and was imprisoned to be a slave. Eventually, he managed to escape from the prison and managed to make allies with local tribes.
He unified all the segregated tribes together with all the loyalty kept on him and indeed this is a great achievement as for the tribes which brawl at each other daily. He indeed, was a motivating and responsible speaker which gave him ease to fillip the crowd. By 1206, he was successful in doing the same by extirpating all those who opposed him (He also killed his childhood friend Jamukha in the process). Key positions were given to his allied leaders so as to maintain amiable relations. He acquired a devastating and proficient army of 20,000 men and swiftly begun to ascent as the emperor of Mongolia.
The Wars:
By 1207, the Mongol empire grew large enough to cause scarcity of food and shelter and this prompted them to foreign invasions. Their first attack was on Xi Xia kingdom of North-west China. It was forced to surrender by 1209 when Mongols made a unfruitful attempt of changing the course of Yellow river . Their next victim was Jin dynasty of China. The empire was renowned for their great scientific and artistic wonders but, that was never a reason for their conquest. It was the widest rice fields and easy picking countless wealth. by 1231, the empire was clean-swept.
The most blood thirsty war was on Khwarizm dynasty, a Turkish controlled one. When Khan sent a diplomatic mission of establishing trade relations, the governor of Otrar mistaken him for a spy and imprisoned him. Then, khan sent an official to bring the diplomat back, the governor honored Khan with his tribute of the official's head.
This drove Khan to fury and in 1219, he supervised the attack on the dynasty with a massive army of 2,00,000 men. Mongol army savaged every life form present also devastating all the fortifications. Their ruthless swords pierced through the chests of every flesh. Some of them who were left were used as human shields to progress through the next cities (however, they were killed later). By 1221, there was nothing left in the dynasty except the dead, decomposed corpses of humans and livestock.
Mongols continued their attacks further and it spread throughout Asia and eastern Europe. By 1227, their empire had a vast stretch from Japan to Caspian sea nearly equal to the size of Africa continent.
Genghis: The Perfect War Strategist
Genghis khan is the mastermind behind the vast empire. He always checked to have his soldiers in motivation- both patriotic and idiosyncratic. Strict laws were made opposing abduction of women, children and even livestock and obviously crossing them would result their lives. This stopped crime in the society and also brought him eternal loyalty in the hearts of Mongols.
He was quick enough to adopt latest technology and war strategies from his enemies. Throwing arrows while on horses was the trademark of Mongol army and they were trained meticulously to do such in no time. He was very strategic in using mountains- In his early wars, he used Altai and Khangai ranges effectively in his succession. He was an expert in luring rivals to surround by mountains and hunting them there. Giving a false retreat and then seizing with utmost pace was their signature move.
They were very brutal and slaughtered every men in the opponent clan inducing fear to be a rival of Mongols. It was said that to be an opponent of Mongols is to invite death. Many kingdoms surrendered to Khan for the same. Khan was believed to be the descendant of Mongke Toko Tengri (the supreme God of Mongols) and also once Khan said:
"I am the flail of God. If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you".
Death:
The reasons for his death remain unknown. Some say that in 1227, he fell from a horse giving him severe external injuries and later fell to death. Historians predict that severe fatigue and tiredness must have caused him a disease which ultimately took his life.
His bury place and the funeral also stand as a mystery. It is said that he was buried somewhere near the Khentii ranges in Northern Mongolia and a river was made to flow from hiding his identity forever. And also, the crew who attended his funeral were ordered to sacrifice their lives and it is said that still, half of the Mongols attended it!
Chinggis khan is a hero in the eyes of Mongols who had united them, brought them glory, and also improved their condition. But, to those who oppose him, perhaps, he may always remain as a ruthless, brutal invader with a perfect strategy in cracking skulls. Whatever may be the opinion, the world has seen a daring, great warrior who remain as a legend.
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