When you think of the most brutal, merciless, fear mongering leaders this planet has ever seen, a few names come to mind.
One of which being Genghis Khan.
The stories of the Khan are full of brutality, from killing his own brother to being responsible for the deaths of 40 million people. - The man did not give a solitary fuck.
Some time between 1155 - 1167, a child named Temüjin was born. The oldest child of Yesugei, the Mongol Chieftain of the Borjigin clan and his wife, Hoelun.
This child was later known as Genghis Khan, the name formally adopted in 1206.
I’ve been doing a fair bit reading on him recently and thought i’d share some interesting things I’ve stumbled across on the raging lunatic. - for lack of better words.
The Mongols Never Shed Noble Blood
Despite their barbarity and seemingly unforgiving nature, Khan and the Mongols had some degree of honour instilled into them. One of which being that they would not spill noble blood.
If someone captured by the Mongols was of noble birth (and trust me they captured a few), they could not stab them - Something they were very accustomed to with the majority of prisoners.
I mean, this didn’t mean the noble in question got the easy route, a lot of the time they were simply killed with a swift snapping of the neck, or suffocated. - In true Mongol fashion.
The Murder of Genghis’ Half Brother
Genghis had a relatively rough upbringing. Well, very fucking roughly actually.
Due to a clan dispute, Genghis’ family were essentially outcasted and were living alone. This led to a young Genghis having to help hunt food for the family.
There was very little food available for the family, times were tough. In order to stay alive, it had to be shared.
One day, appalled after discovering that his half brother was hiding food from the rest of the family. Genghis and his younger brother snuck up on their half brother and killed him with their bows. Genghis was approximately 13 years old.
Genghis is said to have had no remorse, a justifiable action in his eyes.
- This barely scratched the surface on what was to come in later life for little hungry Genghis.
Genghis Khan, ink and colour on silk - National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan.
Trusted Generals / Former Enemies
Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, so the saying goes.
During a battle in 1201, Genghis faced the Taijut tribe, one of his many rivals.
During the fight, Genghis nearly died after his horse was killed from under him with an arrow.
Post battle when addressing his prisoners, Genghis demanded to know who was responsible for the death of his horse. One soldier bravely stood and admitted to being the one who shot the arrow.
Endeared by the archers bravery to come forward, Genghis made him an officer in the Mongol army, nicknaming him ‘Jebe’, translating to ‘arrow’, in honour of his actions on the field of battle.
Jebe would go on to be one of the greatest commanders the Mongols had ever seen during their conquests in Asia & Europe.
19th Century illustration of The Battle of the Kalka River in 1224 - Jebe’s greatest victory
Death Toll
Hitler had an estimated death toll of 11 million, Stalin had 20 million.
The Khan is believed to be responsible for the deaths of 40 million people.
Censuses from the Middle Ages show that the population of China plummeted by tens of millions during Genghis’ lifetime, estimating that the Mongols may have reduced the entire world population at the time by as much as 11%.
A 2003 study found evidence that Genghis Khan's DNA is present in about 16 million men alive today, the Mongolian ruler's genetic prowess has stood as an unparalleled accomplishment. - Approximately 1 in every 200 men at the time of the study.
Death / Burial Site
Historians believe that Genghis died in 1227 due to injuries sustained from falling off his horse, other sources suggest everything from Malaria to an arrow to the knee. - Elder Scrolls fans unite.
How he died, I doubt we’ll ever know for sure, nor will it be likely that we’ll find his final place of rest.
According to legend, his funeral procession murdered all that they came into contact with during the burial journey, and then repeatedly rode horses over the grave to conceal it.
The most likely location of his tomb is a mountain called Burkhan Khaldun in Mongolia.
Burkhan Khaldun, Mongolia
The Khan has long been seen as the ‘founding father’ of Mongolia, a national hero if you will, but during the Soviet rule in the 20th century, the mentioning of his name was banned, in hopes to remove all traces of Mongolian nationalism.
The story of the Khan was removed from all school textbooks and all pilgrimages to his birthplace in Khentii were forbidden.
The Khan was eventually reinstated in Mongolian history after Mongolia won independence in the 90’s, with him lending his name to the national airport in Ulaanbaatar. The Khans portrait also appears on all Mongolian currency.
- M
On This Day -
1279 - A Mongolian victory at the naval Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China. - Coincidence?
1932 - The Sydney Harbour Bridge is opened in Sydney, Australia.
2003 - Airstrikes by an American and British-led coalition signal the beginning of the Invasion of Iraq, without United Nations support and in defiance of world opinion.
Sources -
Wikipedia - Genghis Khan
YouTube - TopTenz
History.com