From Nomadic Tribes he began the greatest empire the world ever saw !
The Mongols were consider petty barbarians by their biggest neighbor China, and treated them with contempt and disdain. Genghis Khan unified the waring tribes, invaded China and laid the foundation for the biggest empire in the world!
Genghis Khan (c. 1162 – August 1227), born Temujin and also known by the temple name Taizu, was the founder and Great Khan (emperor) 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 Mongol Empire and being proclaimed "Genghis Khan", he started the Mongol invasions that would result in the conquest of most of Eurasia. These included raids or invasions of the Kara-Khitan Khanate, Caucasus, Khwarezmid Empire, Western Xia and Jin dynasties. These campaigns were often accompanied by wholesale massacres of the civilian populations – especially in Khwarezmia. By the end of his life, the Mongol Empire occupied a substantial portion of Central Asia and China.
Before Genghis Khan died, he assigned Ögedei Khan as his successor and split his empire into khanates among his sons and grandsons.[7] He died in 1227 after defeating the Western Xia. He was buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in Mongolia at an unknown location. His descendants went on to stretch the Mongol Empire across most of Eurasia by conquering and/or creating vassal states out of all of modern-day China, Korea, the Caucasus, Central Asian countries, and substantial portions of modern Eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Many of these invasions resulted in the large-scale slaughter of local populations, which have given Genghis Khan and his empire a fearsome reputation in local histories.[8] Mongol campaigns may have resulted in the deaths of 40 million people."[9]
Beyond his military accomplishments, Genghis Khan also advanced the Mongol Empire in other ways. He decreed the adoption of the Uyghur script as the Mongol Empire's writing system. He also promoted religious tolerance in the Mongol Empire, and created a unified empire from the nomadic tribes of northeast Asia. Present-day Mongolians regard him as the founding father of Mongolia.[10]
(copied from Wikipedia - click here to read more)
Genghis Khan - the man
Click the following links to view an 8 part video on Genghis Khan and his accomplishments
Destiny fulfilled
Legend has it that Genghis Khan was born with a blood clot clenched in his fist - a traditional Mongol sign that he would be king one day. Whether this is true or not, one thing that was clear from a very early on on his life was that he believed that it was his destiny to rule : not just his tribe - but the whole world ! His Vision, and his sheer drive ensured he ended up making Mongolia the biggest land empire the world had ever seen !
Determination
‘Temujin’ as he was known in his childhood had to ensure many hardships. His father was poisoned when he was very small, and the rest of his tribe did not accept him as their leader. His mother was left unprotected, and he was taken as a slave more than once. Barely escaping death on several occasions, Genghis Khan had to endure many harrowing hardships - and what shone through is his determination and courage : and resilience. These characteristics enabled him to survive and become the Great Leader he became
Learning and Curiosity
Though Genghis Khan was not tutored (like Alexander) he was naturally curious and eager to learn. He observed his own culture and people very well - and ensured he also understood and learnt about his opponents (specially the Chinese.) He also learnt much from his own mistakes, ensuring that he grew stronger with the experience. This thirst for knowledge and ability to assimilate knowledge enabled him to become innovative, and wage war in a manner that bewildered his enemies.
A clear Vision
Genghis Khan always had a very clear Vision. He wanted to unite the warring tribes, and make sure Mongolia became an empire. His loathing of the Chinese tempered with an iron will developed during his childhood ensured his Vision was all encompassing. What is remarkable is that even having accomplished so much, and ensuring he realized his ambition of creating an enviable empire, he is supposedly have died claiming he did not fulfill his destiny ! This Vision enabled all Mongols fighting by his side realize that there was more to them than simply warring with each other : a new sense of purpose which they never had as a nation.
A code of honour
Genghis Khan developed a very strong code of conduct/honiur which was called ‘Yassa’ which is supposedly have been an extremely well crafted and detailed document. The entire Mongol Empire tan based on the principles detailed within the Yassa. Having such a comprehensive code enabled Genghis Khan to ensure that there was ‘rule of law’ and that there was something that bonded the entire nation together. He understood the importance of ensuring everyone needed to be subjected to a set of equitable regulations.
Click here to read about the Yassa
Discipline and training
Genghis Khan understood rather early on as a Leader that he would not be able to take on the might of China unless his army was discipline and well trained. The Mongols were always fiersome fighters - skilled with the bow and riding their horses - but they lacked the ability to fight as a cohesive unit : under a unified command. Genghis Khan changed this - and ensured his army was drilled to perfection : and this made all the difference. His military victories were very impressive - and it as all possible because of the training and discipline of his army.
Click here to view the Mongols invasion of Europe
innovation
Genghis Khan also brought in innovation to traditional warfare. His engineers were charged with perfecting weapons of war - and ensuring they learnt from the technologies of their enemies - specially from he Chinese. The trebutchets, catapults, and other devices played a huge role in ensuring Genghis was able to take down heavily fortified cities : and ensure they gained pivotal victories. He also ensured that he kept on innovating his weapons of war, so that he was able to be even more effective as time went by.
Speed and Agility
Genghis Khan’s biggest weapon was his army’s speed and agility. Hordes of mounted archers and soldiers were not a common sight, and he ensured he used it to his utmost advantage. His speed enabled him to move across terrains much faster than his enemies, and enabled him to wage a very different form of war that most were used to. The ability to simply move in and out of the enemies reach was a huge advantage the Mongols had - which made fighting against them exceedingly difficult.
To build an empire is one thing, to make it last, another
Genghis Khan’s empire lasted well after his death, and future successors made it even more impressive. What is noteworthy is that even though Genghis Khan was illiterate, he ensured he introduced language, culture, city planning, artistry, academic endeavors and even diverse religions to take root in Mongolia. He was a statesman as much as a warrior, and it is because of this that he is considered the ‘founder of Mongolia’
Genghis Khans legacy is an empire few thought possible - specially fo the unheard of Mongols. Much of what he started still echoes today in the steppes of Mongolia.
Written Language
The Mongols never had a written language until Genghis Khan introduced it. At the very beginning of the Mongol Empire around 1204, Genghis Khan defeated the Naimans and captured an Uyghur scribe called Tata Tunga, who then adapted the Uyghur alphabet — a descendant of the Syriac alphabet, via Sogdian — to write Mongol. With only minor modifications, it is used in Inner Mongolia to this day. Much of the history of Genghis Khan and the Mongolian empire would be lost to us if not for their written language
Click here to read more about the written language of the Mongols
Culture
Whenever Genghis Khan subued a city, he send the artisans he captured to his capital city. This ensured that culture flourished in Mongolia and a vast city with a hive of activity started to take place : somewhat uncommon to Mongols till then. This ensured that the empire became much more than mere acquisition of land - and ensured that the entire country began a journey that was unsurpassed since then.
Click here to read more about the Mongolian culture
Religious Tolerance
Genghis Khan was very tolerant towards all religions. As such, many religious refugees came to his kingdom, and enriched the city/country. His tolerance also ensured that he was able to draw into his army, all those whom he conquered. During a time and age when religious oppression was common place, his tolerance was truly note worthy.
A Barbarian or a King of Kings ?
How Genghis Khan is perceived depends on which script you read. For the Mongolians he was simply a hero : a king of kings : but for many whom he conquered he was a blood thirty barbarian. It is believed that during his tenure he killed well over 5 million people !
However you may want to view him, what is important to note is hat his empire was twice as large as the much celebrated Roman Empire. To think that what was simply a group of Nomads achieving this is quite staggering, and speaks volumes about Genghis Khan’s military strategy as well as his ability to organize an empire.
What is also impressive is the decisiveness of his actions : and the cultural strides taken by his people during his reign. Many historian agree that Genghis Khan certainly earns the right to be spoken of in the same breadth as an Alexander or a Caesar.
Final thoughts
Genghis Khans life and accomplishments are a great source of insight to prove the might of a compelling Vision, and the impact of a well executed strategy. It also showcases that one can use one’s resources to ones best advantage : even though it may not be considered a strength by others.
Credits and acknowledgements
This article was inspired by a Mongolian Movie named ‘Mongol’ and a novel by Conn Iggulden named ‘Lords of the Bow’
The key attributes identified are based on historical research conducted via the web, as well as through documentaries on YouTube (links provided in the article)
Click here to watch the movie on YouTube
Click here to buy the Novel ‘Lord of the Bows’
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