Genghis Khan

The Mongolian leader Genghis Khan (1162-1227) created the largest land empire in the world, starting from humble beginnings. Genghis Khan conquered vast areas from Central Asia and China after joining the nomadic tribes from the Mongolian plateau. Then, his descendants extended the empire further and conquered far-off areas such as Poland, Vietnam, Syria and Korea. About 11 million sq miles, which is the equivalent of Africa, were under the rule of the Mongols at the height of their rule. While Genghis Khan’s wars caused the massacre of many people and killed many, he also established the first postal system in the world and abolished torture, as well as granted freedom of religion for his people. In 1227, Genghis Khan died during a crusade against Xi Xia, a Chinese kingdom. The location of his final resting place is an unanswered question.

Genghis Khan’s Early Years

In 1162 Temujin the emperor who eventually became Genghis Khan was born near the border of modern Mongolia as well as Siberia. A forced marriage was arranged by his father, who then abducted his mother. In that period, there were many tribes that were fighting and stealing from one another in the middle of the Asian steppe. Life of the Temujin was turbulent and violent. The year before he turned 10 his father was killed by a clan that was hostile to him. Afterward, the clan of Temujin deserted his mother, him, and his six siblings.

No painting, carving or coin featuring Genghis Khan’s image were granted from the Mongolian leader. Temujin became the head of the household of poverty after the death of his older half-brother. His family seized him and tried to enslave him, but he managed to escape. According to legend, Temujin got married to Borte in 1178. With Borte, he had four sons, and an unknown quantity of daughters. When Borte was kidnapped, Temujin attempted a daring rescue and soon began to form alliances, making himself known as a warrior, as well as attracting a growing quantity of his followers. The first known work of Mongolian literature and culture that describes Genghis Khan’s early years is “The Secret History of the Mongols” published shortly upon his passing.

Genghis Khan As The Leader Of Mongols

Temujin broke with tradition by placing his allies into key places, not his relatives and also by execution of the chiefs of tribes that were in conflict as well as incorporating the rest of these tribes into his clan. The looting of all kinds was to be halted until victory was achieved, and his warriors had to be divided in groups of 10 regardless of family connections. Although he was an animist, Temujin was a favourite of Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists. He was able to defeat all his rivals including his former closest friend Jamuka at the time of 1205. After this battle, Chinggis Khan established an empire that was similar to modern Mongolia in dimensions. Also, as the “Universal Ruler,”” Chinggis Khan became known as Genghis Khan in the West.

Genghis Khan’s Achievements

Millions of inhabitants lived in the reign of Genghis Khan. Khan unified Steppe tribes. He abolished aristocratic titles that were inherited as well as the causes of tribal conflict. He also prohibited the kidnapping and sale of women as well as the enslavement of any Mongol and the taking of livestock. 

Additionally, he adopted an alphabetic system, conducted regular censuses, gave diplomatic immunity for foreign diplomats and allowed freedom of religion prior to similar concepts becoming widely accepted in other countries. To fight his own Xi Xia kingdom in northwest China, Genghis Khan launched his first battle in the outskirts of Mongolia. 

In 1209, in the wake of an array of attacks and battles, the Mongols started an offensive that led them to Yinchuan which was the capital city for the Xi Xia. They had no supply train other than horses in large numbers and, unlike other armies. Most of their army was made up of cavalrymen who were skilled riders, and deadly with bows and archers. The Mongols created a fake withdrawal from Yinchuan as one of their famous strategies before launching an attack. Despite their inability to inundate the city, the ancient ruler Xi Xia accepted and paid tribute. 

As a response, the Mongols took on and destroyed the Jin Dynasty of northern China, whose ruler was guilty of requesting surrender from Genghis Khan. Mongols conquered the countryside and forced refugees to urban areas for over two years. There was a food shortage all through the Jin period and the army wound in the killing of tens of thousand from its peasants. The first Mongol invasion was fought in 1214 as the rulers of Zhongdu (now Beijing) agreed to give huge amounts of silver, silk horses, and gold in exchange for the Mongols. Genghis Khan, who was enlisted as a pawn by Jin deserters to punish the Jin ruler’s departure southwards to Kaifeng in the Kaifeng region, captured Zhongdu and burnt it to the ground as a retaliation against the breach of the contract. 

It is believed that the Khwarezm Empire which spans over the present-day Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iran was defeated by Genghis Khan in 1219. When the caravan first arrived, the sultan signed a treaty on trade, but when the caravan’s merchandise was stolen and the merchants killed and killed, the treaty did not take effect. A few of Genghis Khan’s representatives were later killed by the Sultan. When the Mongol group once more beat the locals in numbers in Khwarezm, they took over the cities of Khwarezm and Khwarezm, which included Bukhara, Samarkand, and Urgench. 

Typically, skilled workers like carpenters and jewellers were not affected; however, aristocrats and the armed soldiers were executed. Untrained workers were often employed as human shields in the next battle. It’s impossible to determine how many people perished during the wars of Genghis Khan.

The Mongols Following Genghis Khan’s Death

In 1225 the year 1225, when Genghis Khan returned to Mongolia, he ruled vast areas that encompassed Mongolia, the Sea of Japan and the Caspian Sea. He did not take long to turn his attention back to Xi Xia kingdom, which had been unable to provide forces to the Khwarezm invasion. The horse which was able to throw Genghis Khan into the ground led to him suffering internal injuries during the first portion of 1227. 

Genghis Khan continued his campaign, but his health did not fully recover. Just prior to the time that Xi Xia was crushed, Genghis Khan passed away on August 18, 1227. As a result of his conquest of more territory than any other in the history of humanity, Genghis Khan brought Eastern and Western civilizations together. Genghis Khan left an impressive legacy of conquerors among his descendants, such as Ogodei and Khubilai who were rulers of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the majority of China. Prior to the breakup of their empire during the 14th century, the Mongols even conquered Japan in the 14th century. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Mongols were warriors who were fierce by nature, which is why Genghis Khan was required to establish his empire. They required an effective leader to grow to become an empire. “Genghis Khan was able to conquer over twice as much territory as any other person in history between the time of his ascendance in 1206 and his demise in 1227” (Weatherford, VII, ). Genghis Khan was among the greatest conquerors throughout history due to his capacity to inspire loyalty in his troops, as well as his knowledge of tactics and his ability to adjust.