Genghis Khan

Introduction

Genghis Khan is undoubtedly the most brutal ruler in the history of humanity. He was a member of a Mongolian tribe, but his ambitions made him the undisputed conqueror of Eurasia. Coming from a humble background, he struggled throughout his childhood for food after being abandoned by his tribe. Earlier, his father was also poisoned to death by a rival tribe.

But all those difficulties didn’t stop him from becoming the ruler of the largest empire in human history. He started making alliances via marriage and wars, eventually converting Mongols from a tribal war-waring country to an organized military powerhouse. Genghis Khan is also credited with slaughtering millions who stood in his way, until Europe. However, India saved itself from his wrath. Now let’s see what made Genghis Khan such a brutal conqueror and an undisputed ruler.

Early Life

• Born in the year 1162 to the tribal chief of Borjigin, Yesukhai. Genghis Khan was named Temujin.

• At the young age of nine, his marriage was fixed with Borte of the Kongirad tribe. On his way to his land, his father was treacherously poisoned to death by the tribal of Tatar.

Clara-Agathe NARGEOT (1829 - ?), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

• Temujin claimed his father’s throne as the successor but was left to starve by his fellow tribal men.

• For years he lived on animal carcasses, wild fruits, and raw meat along with his mother and siblings.

• Finally, in 1178 he married Borte in order to make alliances. But soon she was kidnapped by a rival tribe. Then Temujin and his friend Jamukha lead an expedition to get Borte back and destroy their rivals.

The Making of the Empire

• Central Asia comprised tribes like Merkits, Tatars, Khamag, Mongols, and Keraites in the 13th century.

• Temujin with Jamukha spread his stronghold by destroying tribes one by one. He avenged his father’s death by murdering every male over 3 feet tall of the Tatar tribe.

• In 1187, Temujin was elected as the Khan of the Mongol clan.

• In 1206, he was given the title of Genghis Khan(Universal King and Ruler of All Men) after defeating the powerful Naiman Tribe.

• China was the first foreign land attacked by Genghis Khan. In 1207 he attacked the Xia Dynasty and conquered it within two years. And in 1211 Jin Dynasty was attacked, plundering the capital of Zonghdu by 1215.

Genghis Khan

Internet Archive Book Images, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons

• Genghis Khan sent three ambassadors to the court of Shah Ala ad-din Mohammad, the ruler of the Khwarizmi empire(Persia) in the 13th century. Shah disrespected Khan by shaving their heads and making fun of the Mongolian ruler.

• In reply, Genghis Khan led an army of more than 100,000 men. They killed every living creature including the domestic animals in the villages they attacked.

• The attack came from the east, northeast, and north, giving no opportunity for the King to survive. By 1221, the Khwarizm Dynasty was ended.

• Later he gathered his army to return to Mongolia. However, he ordered his military generals to keep expanding westward until they were defeated.

• Eventually, the Mongols captured most of Central Asia, China, Siberia, Persia, Syria, Arabs, and even Southeastern Europe. They still remained undefeated but were called back.

• However, the Mongols failed to capture India because of its geographical and military advantages.

Empire of Genghis Khan

Hardcore-Mike, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Genghis Khan as a Military Leader

Genghis Khan was a gifted military general. He pioneered numerous Mongolian war tactics such as

• He organized hundreds of Mongolian tribes to form a powerful army.

• He shortened the horses in height to increase mobility.

• The Mongolians used the so-called German blitz kriek to capture land. Under this, the army launched a solid and targeted attack on a front to blow it off.

• He employed a huge network of spies and quickly adopted the advanced technologies of enemies.

• The Mongol soldiers were equipped with bows, arrows, shields, and daggers. Meanwhile, smoke and burning torches were used for signalling.

• Food for soldiers and horses was also carried in oxcarts.

Administration under Genghis Khan

• The foundation of administration under Genghis Khan lay in a meritocracy. He believed in equality and favoured the talented people for leadership, not the ones belonging to a certain bloodline.

• The Mongol empire was ruled under the civil and military code made by Genghis Khan called Yassa.

• Under the code, every person from Mongols to Turks to Europeans was to be treated equally.

• Even women were given equal rights, which was quite rare for that time period. Example- Toregene Khatun served as the regent till the next Khagan was chosen.

• Religious tolerance was a prime feature of Genghis Khan’s rule. He was a Tengrist but gave equal respect to all religions.

• He believed that religion is a personal concept and should not be state-controlled.

• Genghis Khan also promoted trade and communication by constructing roads and ports.

• He also selected capable local leaders to serve as the administrators in his large empire and control the territory for him.

Conclusion

Genghis Khan is arguable the most brutal ruler in humanity’s history but was also a great war general and administrator. In fact, he was way ahead of his time in certain aspects like women's equality and religious tolerance.

At its peak, the Mongol empire spread across an equal area to the entire African continent. This vast empire could not have been organized if not for the extraordinary courage and leadership of Genghis Khan. After he was left to starve in his childhood, numerous lessons became clear to him. He himself has accepted that those struggles made him the toughest he could have ever become.

FAQs

Q1. When did Genghis Khan die?

Ans. Genghis Khan died in the year 1227. It is said that he died due to injuries sustained after falling from a horse. However, the cause of his death is still uncertain.

Q2. Who was the successor of Genghis Khan?

And. Ogedai Khan succeeded Genghis Khan as the king of the Mongol empire. However, the kingdom reached its zenith under Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan. He ruled from 1260 to 1294

Q3. Why did Genghis not conquer India?

Ans. Geographically India was fortified by the Himalayas in the north and the Hindukush mountains served as a barrier in the west. Even if an army crossed the Hindukush, the mighty Indus river was almost impossible to bridge. Finally, the Indian monsoon weather and the strong Indian rulers repelled foreign invasions.

Q4. Which Indian ruler repelled the most Mongol invasions?

Ans. Allauddin Khilji faced and repelled most Mongol invasions of India. He fought the enemy outside the densely populated region near the rivers where horses were almost useless. He also built the Siri Fort to save the Delhi Sultanate from attacks.

Q5. Why did the Mongols never recover post the 13th-century golden period?

Ans. After the death of Kublai Khan, the Mongol empire slowly disintegrated. The smaller tribal clans rose again. And there was the rise of the Ottoman Empire in the Persian region which limited the Mongols to the Asian steppe.