Childhood of World Famous Figures: Genghis Khan

Author: Chen Qiufen
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Genghis Khan, the founding ruler of the Mongol Empire and a renowned military commander. His name was Temüjin, belonging to the Borjigin clan, Qiyar tribe, and Mongol ethnicity. He was posthumously honored as Taizu (Emperor Taizu) in the Yuan Dynasty. Genghis Khan was born into a Mongol aristocratic family. Around 1170, his father Yesügei was poisoned by the Tatar people. Yesügei's widow, Hoelun, raised Temüjin and his brothers through several years of hardship. The tough experiences during his youth cultivated Temüjin's resilience and bravery. After the death of the Mongol leader Kutei Khan, most Mongol tribes were under the control of Jamukha. Temüjin joined Jamukha and lived a nomadic life with him. Temüjin won people's hearts and recruited followers, eventually breaking away from Jamukha to establish his own ulus (state). Around the 1980s of the 12th century, Temüjin was proclaimed khan. Jamukha led thirteen tribes, including the Jadaran and Tchinggisu, to attack Temüjin. Temüjin fought back with his thirteen wings, but due to insufficient strength, he retreated, an event known as the Battle of the Thirteen Wings. In 1196, Temüjin and the Kerait leader Toghrul Khan joined forces with the Jin Dynasty to attack the Tatars, defeating them at the Orkhon River (now Ulgii River in Eastern Mongolia). The Jin Dynasty granted Temüjin the title of Chagurul (chief) and appointed Toghrul Khan as a king (Toghrul was later called Wang Khan due to a linguistic error). Temüjin and Wang Khan allied to attack the Naiman tribe led by Guochugu. On their way back, they encountered the main Naiman forces. Seeing the enemy's strength, Wang Khan retreated without notice, leaving Temüjin exposed to the Naimans' attack. Temüjin realized this and quickly withdrew to his pastures in Saliin Gol (west of the upper reaches of the Khulun River in modern-day Mongolia), exposing Wang Khan to the enemy. Wang Khan suffered a major defeat. Since many Mongol tribes were under Wang Khan's rule, Temüjin feared they might be absorbed by the Naimans, which would be detrimental to him. He sent the Four Heroes—Borokhul, Muqali, Borchu, and Chilger—leading an army to rescue Wang Khan and drive back the Naimans. Temüjin skillfully exploited contradictions among tribes, maneuvering and gradually freeing himself from subordination to Wang Khan. Between 1201 and 1202, Temüjin and Wang Khan allied to defeat Jamukha's coalition (including the Tatar, Naiman, and other tribes), forcing Jamukha to surrender to Wang Khan. In 1202, Temüjin destroyed the four Tatar tribes, occupied the Khulunbuir Plateau, and significantly increased his power. In 1203, Wang Khan launched a surprise attack on Temüjin, forcing him to retreat north of the Halha River. Soon after, Temüjin ambushed Wang Khan's encampment, destroying the Kerait tribe. That same year, the Wanggu tribe also submitted to Temüjin. In 1204, Temüjin destroyed the Ordu of the Naiman Sun Khan, becoming the most powerful ruler on the Mongolian Plateau. Genghis Khan, the founding ruler of the Mongol Empire and a renowned military commander. His name was Temüjin, belonging to the Borjigin clan, Qiyar tribe, and Mongol ethnicity. He was posthumously honored as Taizu (Emperor Taizu) in the Yuan Dynasty. Genghis Khan was born into a Mongol aristocratic family. Around 1170, his father Yesügei was poisoned by the Tatar people. Yesügei's widow, Hoelun, raised Temüjin and his brothers through several years of hardship. The tough experiences during his youth cultivated Temüjin's resilience and bravery. After the death of the Mongol leader Kutei Khan, most Mongol tribes were under the control of Jamukha. Temüjin joined Jamukha and lived a nomadic life with him. Temüjin won people's hearts and recruited followers, eventually breaking away from Jamukha to establish his own ulus (state). Around the 1980s of the 12th century, Temüjin was proclaimed khan. Jamukha led thirteen tribes, including the Jadaran and Tchinggisu, to attack Temüjin. Temüjin fought back with his thirteen wings, but due to insufficient strength, he retreated, an event known as the Battle of the Thirteen Wings. In 1196, Temüjin and the Kerait leader Toghrul Khan joined forces with the Jin Dynasty to attack the Tatars, defeating them at the Orkhon River (now Ulgii River in Eastern Mongolia). The Jin Dynasty granted Temüjin the title of Chagurul (chief) and appointed Toghrul Khan as a king (Toghrul was later called Wang Khan due to a linguistic error). Temüjin and Wang Khan allied to attack the Naiman tribe led by Guochugu. On their way back, they encountered the main Naiman forces. Seeing the enemy's strength, Wang Khan retreated without notice, leaving Temüjin exposed to the Naimans' attack. Temüjin realized this and quickly withdrew to his pastures in Saliin Gol (west of the upper reaches of the Khulun River in modern-day Mongolia), exposing Wang Khan to the enemy. Wang Khan suffered a major defeat. Since many Mongol tribes were under Wang Khan's rule, Temüjin feared they might be absorbed by the Naimans, which would be detrimental to him. He sent the Four Heroes—Borokhul, Muqali, Borchu, and Chilger—leading an army to rescue Wang Khan and drive back the Naimans. Temüjin skillfully exploited contradictions among tribes, maneuvering and gradually freeing himself from subordination to Wang Khan. Between 1201 and 1202, Temüjin and Wang Khan allied to defeat Jamukha's coalition (including the Tatar, Naiman, and other tribes), forcing Jamukha to surrender to Wang Khan. In 1202, Temüjin destroyed the four Tatar tribes, occupied the Khulunbuir Plateau, and significantly increased his power. In 1203, Wang Khan launched a surprise attack on Temüjin, forcing him to retreat north of the Halha River. Soon after, Temüjin ambushed Wang Khan's encampment, destroying the Kerait tribe. That same year, the Wanggu tribe also submitted to Temüjin. In 1204, Temüjin destroyed the Ordu of the Naiman Sun Khan, becoming the most powerful ruler on the Mongolian Plateau.