Temujin: Founder of the Mongol Empire
3 min readPortrait of Genghis Khan (1162-1227) cenghis Khan, born Temujin, was the founder ofthe Mongol Empire–the largest contiguousempire in history. Reverently entitled Taizu after death, he reigned for 22 years Temujin(1162-1227) was the founder of the vast Mongol Empire of the Middle Ages. Proclaimed Genghis Khan in 1206, he reigned for 22 years(1206-1227).
Founding the Unitary Mongol Empire
Temujin was born into an aristocratic family of the Kiyad tribe. He was given that name aftera Tatar chieftain his father Yesiigei had just captured. At that time there were many nomadic tribes on the Mongolian Plateau, including the Kerait, Merkit, Tatar, Uyghur and Naiman, to name but a few.
They were in constant conflict with each other, whilst the Kin Dynasty adopted the tactics of “divide and rule”to impose its sovereignty on that region.
When Temujin was nine years old, his father Yesigei was assassinated by the Tatars. Since then Temujin had wandered from place to place following his mother Hoelun, and almost lost his life for several times.
An Underglaze-red Porcelain Bowl Decorated with Peony Patterns, the Yuan Dynasty Temujin finally grew up and married Borte from the Onggirat tribe. However, just a few months after the marriage, Borte was abducted by the Merkits. The 18-year-old Temujin couldn’t stomach this terrible insult, and decided to draw the sword on the Merkits,a decision that started him on the way to become a conqueror in the future.
Temujin turned to Toghrul(Ong Khan of the Kerait tribe) for support, and made a raid in alliance with his sworn brother Jamuka(chieftain of the Jadaran tribe) on the Merkits. This campaign not only led to the rescue of Borte, but also built up Temujin’s prestige. Around 1189 he became the khan of the Kiyad tribe.
Nevertheless, Temujin and Jamuka soon became enemies. Though defeated by Jamuka at first, Temujin successfully disintegrated those rival tribes, and hence further augmented his own strength.
In 1201 he crushed the allied forces led by Jamuka who just assumed the title of Gur Khan(meaning “grand ruler”), and vanquished the Naiman army the following year. Fearing Temujin’s growing power, Toghrul began to adopt a hostile attitude toward him too. In 1203, Toghrul and his son Senggum launched a surprise attack on Temujin. After the initial debacle, Temujin regrouped his forces and brought off a sneak raid. Toghrul ran away alone, but was killed by Naiman tribesmen, leading to the fall and eventual dissolution of the Kerait tribe.
In 1204, Temujin defeated and killed Tayan Khan of the Naiman tribe. Jamuka who took refuge with the Naimans was also captured and at his own request, was executed in a bloodless, noble way (having his back broken). After years of military campaigns Temujin had conquered all tribes on the Mongolian Plateau by 1206, bringing the Merkits, Naimans, Mongols, Keraits, Tatars and Uyghurs under his sole rule. They became known collectively as the Mongols thereupon. Temujin then held a Kurultai(council of tribal chieftains) at the head of the Onon River. At the meeting he was proclaimed Genghis Khan[11.A unitary Mongol Empire took shape, with its territory reaching Xing’ an Mountains eastward, Altai Mountains westward, and Lake Baikal northward.
Temujin then organized people from the conquered areas into 95 qian-hu(one thousand households) for the purpose of uniform management. The establishment of the qian-hu system put an end to the primitive tribalism that had characterized the Mongols for centuries. Temujin also devised the law code of Yassa, and created the Mongolian writing system based on Uyghur script.
