Top 10 Facts About Genghis Khan

When Genghis Khan name is mentioned, we think of the 'universal ruler' who once conquered nearly half of the world. Genghis Khan empire stretched from the Pacific Ocean in East to Eastern Europe in West. His unstoppable Mongol hordes pillaged and raided Central Asia and was a formidable warlord.

He was born in Mongolian steppes and grew up to be a commander of one of the most powerful armies in history. Although his name is synonymous with barbarism, he was a great leader. He unites warring Mongolian tribes and advances the economy of Central Asia. These are the top 10 facts about Genghis Kan.

1. One in 200 men are direct descendants Genghis Khan.

He was known as a conqueror, but he also managed to leave an immeasurable legacy by passing his genes on to generations. Recent DNA researches have revealed that 16 million men are his descendants in Central Asia.

His many descendants were able to come from him. He is described as a great lover, who had many wives and dated many more women. He also got the first choice of the most beautiful women in the towns that the Mongol armies conquered.

His descendants were included in some ruling dynasties in Russia and Asia like the Yuan Dynasty, China, Mughal royal families from Timur through Babur, Ilkhanids, Persia, Jochids, the Shaybanids, Siberia, Astrakhanids, Central Asia, Girays, Crimea.

2. His gravesite is unmarked and unknown.

Genghis Khan's gravesite is one of the most mysterious aspects of his life. Although it is believed that Genghis Khan was buried on Burkhan Khaldun, this has never been confirmed. Maury Kravitz was an archeologist who spent 40 years looking for the burial site. He died in 2012 after failing to find it.

Khan had requested that Khan's gravesite not be marked and that no one know its exact location before his death. His soldiers fulfilled his last wishes in writing when he died at the battle of Western Xia 1277.

According to legend, everyone they met on their way to the gravesite was killed by the funeral procession. All the slaves who had built his tomb were killed by soldiers, and these soldiers were then silenced by other soldiers. After the burial, soldiers began to kill everyone and then killed themselves.

3. Genghis" wasn't his real name.

Genghis was born around 1162 on the banks of the Onon River. His name is Temujin, which means 'iron' or "blacksmith". His father had just captured a rival chief and he was his name.

He was named Genghis Khan in 1206 when he was elected leader of the Mongols at an tribal meeting called a "Kurultai". However, historians aren't sure of the origin or meaning of "Genghis."

4. It is not known what his exact appearance was.

Genghis is regarded as a founding father of Mongolia and a national hero. However, very little information exists about his personal life. Unfortunately, there are no known portraits or sculptures of Genghis that have been preserved. This is due to the Soviets ruling the region, who prohibited anything and everything that was related to Genghis.

There are many versions of Genghis Khan's appearances. They range from tall and strong with flowing hair and bushy beards to the 14th-century Persian chronicler Rashid al-Din. He claimed that Genghis was a red-haired man with green eyes. Historians have deemed all these accounts unreliable.

5. Around 40 million people died as a result of his actions.

To conquer almost half of the world, Genghis Khan would have to kill many towns. His destruction was so extensive that historians estimate that he killed around 40 million people.

The Middle Ages census shows that China's population fell by tens to millions under Khan's rule. He was also responsible for the deaths of three-fourths of the modern-day Iranian population during the Khwarezmid Empire. He was said to have enjoyed promoting his brutality in order to keep people scared and submissive.

6. He was the creator of one of the first international postal networks.

Khan's first decree was to create a mounted courier service called the "Yam." This was used to describe the post houses and way stations that were located approximately 24 km apart. They could be found throughout the entire Mongolian Empire. Khan was able to keep up with political and military developments throughout his vast empire thanks to the "Yam".

The remarkable medieval postal system was a great improvement to the economy. It made it easier for goods to be transported along the Silk Road, and also improved information sharing efficiency and effectiveness. Postal system was also used to protect merchants and foreign dignitaries on their travels. Marco Polo and John Carpini are two examples of foreigners who took advantage of the postal system.

7. His most trusted generals were once his enemies.

Khan, unlike medieval rulers who promoted officers based on their social status or social class, was known for focusing primarily upon an officer's abilities and experience. Khan was a gifted talent-seeker, which is why he allowed women to join his army.

Jebe, his field commander, was another example of his ability to appoint enemies as generals. According to legend, Jebe shot an archer and killed Khan's horse while he was fighting the Taijut in 1201. This incident nearly killed Khan, despite him winning the battle. Khan asked the Taijut who shot the arrow, and the brave archer that he was confessed to it said so. Khan was impressed by the bravery of the soldier and he named him Jebe, which means "arrow".

8. As a child, he killed his half-brother.

Genghis was a cold-blooded murderer in his adulthood, but he also described his youthful thirst for blood. Khan was a fighter and a killer from a young age. His family was at war with their clan members, and they had to live on their own.

Their household was faced with food insecurity due to their solitary existence. Khan went hunting to feed his family, but he didn't always agree on how the food was distributed. Khan got into a heated argument with his half brother over the food he captured. Khan took the matter to his mother who supported his step-brother. Khan was furious.

Khan killed his half-brother in anger and enlisted the help of his younger brother. Khan is believed to have never felt any regret.

9. He killed his sons in law strategically.

Khan was an individual genius. Khan understood that he couldn't manage such an immense empire on his own and would need the help of local people. Who can be more loyal to you than your flesh and blood? Khan called on his daughters and sons to help him in the rule.

Khan is believed to have married one of his daughters to a king from an allied country and dismissed the other wives. Khan would then send his son-in law to military service in his army. Khan would then assign his new son-in-law to military duty in his army. His sons-in law died in combat, leaving Khan's daughters to take their place.

10. Khan was a strategic warlord

Khan was outnumbered in most of his battles but his military strategies helped him defeat his enemies. Many of his enemies believed that Khan's army was much larger than it was, and he was able to set cunning traps for them.

Because he gave his soldiers the resources they needed, he was also successful in his raids. Each Mongol soldier had at least five to six horses, and soldiers could protect themselves with dummies or prisoners-of-war. Khan was very protective of his army, thus reducing their loyalty and allowing them to serve him.

 

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