A feared and respected leader

You may have heard good things about Genghis Khan, or you may have heard bad things about him. Although Genghis Khan (Chinggis Khan), is looked upon in a negative light in the West, as a brutal conqueror/dictator, he is regarded as a strong and dynamic leader in the East.

He could conquer and control more territory than any other conqueror in history, and along with his successors, established the largest empire in history. Even today, he is held in high esteem in Asia, as the founder of Mongolia.

Genghis Khan, the organised genius, is said to have created one of the most highly-disciplined and effective armies in history; he also initiated the core administration that ruled it. Even after his death, Mongol armies dominated the battlefield until the empire stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the Adriatic Sea. His sons and grandsons rose to take his place, carrying the empire forward for another 150 years.

His achievements off the battlefield include the introduction of a writing system based on the Uighur script (still used in Inner Mongolia), the idea of religious tolerance throughout the empire (although Khan was believed to have followed Shamanism, the subjects of the Mongol Empire were free to practise their own religion) and the achievement of tribal unity among the Mongols. The Mongol nation and culture are Genghis Khan's greatest accomplishments.

Born around 1162 to a noble family, as the son of Yesugei and Ho'elun, Genghis Khan was first known as Temuchin. He was born in a Mongol tribe near Khentii Province near the Burhan Haldun mountain range, not far from the current capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, near the Onon and Kherlen Rivers.

At an early age, he was betrothed to be married to Borte, from another tribe. After leaving Temuchin with Borte's family, as was the custom of the day, Yesugei was returning home when he was poisoned by the Tatars.

After his father died, Temuchin returned to his family. He learnt many lessons from his mother about survival in the harsh landscape, and the even grimmer political climate of Mongolia, especially the need for alliances with others.

According to The Secret History of the Mongols, he suffered many hardships, including the kidnapping of his wife, but found supporters and slowly assumed leadership of the Mongols.

After rising to power in 1185, Temuchin experienced numerous setbacks and victories. He received the support of his father's brother, Toghril Ong-Khan, King of the Keraits, and regained Borte.

The two men fell apart later on, which led to a war that Temuchin eventually won. By 1206, Temuchin was dominating Mongolia and also received the title Genghis Khan (which is believed to mean Oceanic Ruler or Firm, Resolute Ruler/Khan means ruler).

Although this feared and respected man now ruled Mongolia and had united many different tribes into one tribe (the Mongols), he was not satisfied. He wanted to carry on conquering; many believe that revenge for

 past offences and greed for territory and riches may have led him on. In 1207, the Mongols began invading Xi-Xia, which comprised much of northwestern China and parts of Tibet.

This campaign lasted until 1210 with the Xi-Xia ruler surrendering to Genghis Khan. The Uighurs also submitted peacefully to the Mongols and became efficient administrators throughout the empire during this period.

Khan however was not content; in 1211, he led his armies against the Chin Dynasty that ruled northern China. War continued until 1234, well after Khan's death. He may have succeeded against them, if he was not pulled away from the campaign because of an incident in central Asia.

In 1219, a caravan of Genghis Khan had been harmed and the people in it killed in a city belonging to the Khwarazm Empire, which is modern Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

As his armies were already engaged in China, Genghis Khan tried to find a peaceful solution, but Muhammad Khwarazmshah, the ruler of the Khwarazm Empire forced the issue.

From 1219 to 1222, the Mongols waged war in central Asia. Striking from several directions and with Khan accompanied by his four sons - Jochi, Ogodei, Chaghatai and Tolui - they destroyed the Khwarazmian Empire.

This campaign still remains strategically remarkable. In 1226, his armies invaded Xi-Xia to settle a revenge. During the campaign, Genghis Khan fell from his horse and eventually died from internal injuries, in 1227.

However, he did not allow his followers to stop the campaign against Xi-Xia. After the conquest was complete, Genghis Khan was buried without any markings. His body was returned to Mongolia and presumably to his birthplace, and many believe that he is buried close to the Onon River and the Burkhan Khaldun mountain.

Legend says that the funeral escort killed everyone on his path to hide the burial site. There are also stories that a river was diverted over his grave to make it impossible to find, and that his grave was stampeded over by many horses, over which trees were planted; this site was further hidden by permafrost and remains undiscovered. The Genghis Khan Mausoleum, though a memorial, is not his burial site.

To this day, there is much debate on whether Genghis Khan was a strong and visionary leader, or a bloodthirsty and ruthless conqueror.

Facts and pix: Internet