Genghis Khan
Also called: Chinggis Khan, Temujin · Topic: Nomadic Empires: The Mongols · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "An Empire Across Three Continents"
Meaning
Genghis Khan was the founder of the Mongol empire. He was born Temujin near the Onon river. The chapter's text gives his birth as c. 1162, but its timeline says c. 1167. His father Yesugei was chief of the Kiyat. After his father's murder, Temujin grew up in great hardship. He defeated rivals such as the Tatars, the Kereyits and Jamuqa, his former blood-brother (anda). In 1206 an assembly of chieftains (quriltai) proclaimed him Great Khan with the title Genghis Khan, meaning "Oceanic Khan" or "Universal Ruler". He died in 1227. He left behind lasting institutions, including a reorganised army and a courier system called the yam.
Example
Genghis Khan breached the Great Wall in 1213 and sacked Peking in 1215. From 1219 to 1221 he campaigned against Khwarazm. At the Indus (1221–22) he thought about returning home through North India and Assam. The heat and bad omens reported by his Shaman soothsayer turned him back.
Don't confuse with
- Timur: Timur (ruled 1370–1405) was a Barlas Turk who claimed descent from Genghis Khan. Lacking Genghis Khan's royal blood, he ruled only as guregen, a royal son-in-law of the family.