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Genghis Khan – great Khan of the Mongol Empire

Genghis Khan - great Khan of the Mongol Empire

Genghis Khan – great Khan of the Mongol Empire

Genghis Khan was a conqueror, founder and the first great Khan of the Mongol Empire. He was a political and military genius who brought together the wandering peoples of central Asia. His continental empire was the largest in the history of mankind.
Genghis Khan was born in about 1162 in northern Mongolia. His name at first was Temujin. He was named after an enemy his father had defeated. His father, Yesugei, was the chief of one Mongol group. Yesugei was killed by the Tatars when Temujin was 9 years old. Later he became chief. He married Borte, who became the mother of four sons and a daughter.
Temujin built up a large army to conquer neighboring groups and unify them into a single Mongol nation. He used harsh training and strict discipline to create a superior fighting force.
In 1206 the people named him Genghis Khan, which means “universal ruler.”

Genghis Khan died on August 18, 1227. Mongols then controlled land from the China Sea to the European part of Russia. His sons and grandsons expanded the Mongol Empire even more.
Some believe he was a greater military strategist than Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Julius Caesar, and Napoleon Bonaparte.
To Christian Europeans he was the anti-Christ and Scourge of God. China had never experienced such brutal conquerors, who threatened to turn the agricultural country into pastureland for their horses. He was especially cruel to cities and city dwellers.

Monument to great Khan

Monument to great Khan

Yesui and Genghis Khan
In 1164, 9-year-old Temujin married Borte, who was three years older than her husband. She became the first wife of the little boy and remained loyal to him until her death. They lived together for more than forty years. In 1206, Temujin became the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire.
The Mongols could have several wives, but Khan did not want to bring the other women into the house. He loved his wife but she was old and couldn’t give birth to his heirs. So, he brought young girls and a few years later he had about two thousand women, some of whom, he even never saw.
Once he planned to expel the Tatars from his lands. Khan saw young Tatar Esugaj. She was so beautiful, that the great lord ordered his soldiers to bring her into the harem and decided to marry the girl. When Genghis Khan came to her and announced his intention Esugaj began to cry and told him about her sister Yesui. She worried about her and wanted to save her from furious and fierce Mongols.
The soldiers found the girl and brought her to the Great Khan. He became blinded by the beauty of the young woman and ordered to prepare for the wedding. However, Yesui was silent, sad and spent hours sitting near the tent.
Her younger sister told Khan her secret: Yesui was in love with the young Tartar and waited that her beloved came and saved her.
Genghis Khan became angry and ordered his soldiers to keep an eye on the young wife and protect her, even at night.
One day Yesui’s groom came by Khan caught him and ordered to cut off his head. Yesui even wanted to commit suicide.
Great the founder of the Mongol Empire, Genghis Khan died in 1227 at the age of seventy-two near the Yellow River. His place of burial is still unknown. It is believed that his warriors killed anyone who witnessed the funeral procession. All his slaves and servants, gold, jewelery and trophies were buried in the grave with the body of Genghis Khan.
According to legend, if the tomb is found, a terrible curse will fall on the people who live in those lands.

Statue of Genghis Khan, the Mongolian National History Museum

Statue of Genghis Khan, the Mongolian National History Museum

Interesting facts
– The blood clot in the arm at birth is a sign of greatness. According to legend, Genghis Khan was born, holding a blood clot in his hand.
– Genghis Khan was tall, red-haired, had green eyes and wore a long beard.
– About 8% of Asian men are the descendants of Khan.
– The Mongolian army was very cruel. Some of his campaigns ended with the complete destruction of the entire population or tribe, even women and children.
– According to the research of individual scientists, more than 40 million people died because of Khan.
– Khan was heartless. At the age of 10 he killed one of his brothers, fighting for loot.
– At the age of 15 Khan was captured and escaped, which later earned him recognition.
– When the Persians beheaded Mongolian ambassador, Genghis was furious and destroyed 90% of their people.
– Some historians call him the father of scorched earth. He destroyed everything on his way.

Genghis Khan – great Khan of the Mongol Empire

R. Djanibekov. Khan. Computer graphics

R. Djanibekov. Khan. Computer graphics

Funeral of Genghis Khan. Picture from the Indian medieval manuscript

Funeral of Genghis Khan. Picture from the Indian medieval manuscript

Monument to great Khan

Monument to great Khan

Genghis Khan - Mongol conqueror

Genghis Khan – Mongol conqueror

Genghis Khan - Steppenwolf

Genghis Khan – Steppenwolf

Genghis Khan - Mongol conqueror

Genghis Khan – Mongol conqueror

Memorial in Inner Mongolia, China

Memorial in Inner Mongolia, China

Genghis Khan and Chinese ambassadors. Miniature from the manuscript of Jami al-Tawarikh

Genghis Khan and Chinese ambassadors. Miniature from the manuscript of Jami al-Tawarikh

Genghis Khan with a falcon. Chinese image

Genghis Khan with a falcon. Chinese image

The only portrait of Genghis Khan, recognized and permitted by historians. It is in the Taiwan National Museum

The only portrait of Genghis Khan, recognized and permitted by historians. It is in the Taiwan National Museum

Tormosov Viktor. Genghis Khan

Tormosov Viktor. Genghis Khan

Zorikto Dorzhiev. Genghis Khan

Zorikto Dorzhiev. Genghis Khan