 | Genghis Khan: Encyclopedia II - Genghis Khan - Birth and early life
Genghis Khan - Birth and early life
Little is known about his early years, but Temüjin was born sometime around 11621 in Hentiy, Mongolia. His birthplace was most likely the mountainous area of Burhan Haldun. He was the eldest son of Yesükhei, a tribal chief of the Kiyad. Yesükhei's clan was called Borjigin (Боржигин), and his mother, Hoelun, was of the Olkhunut tribe of the Mongol confederation.
Based on legends and later writers, Temüjin's early life was difficult. His father delivered him to his future wife's family when he was only nine. He was supposed to live there until he reached the marriageable age of 12. Shortly thereafter, his father was poisoned by the neighboring Tatars while returning home. This gave Temüjin a claim to be the clan's chief, though his clan refused to be led by a boy and soon abandoned him and his family. For the next few years, he and his family lived the life of impoverished nomads, surviving primarily on wild fruits, marmots and other small game. In one incident, Temüjin murdered his half-brother Bekhter over a dispute about sharing hunting spoils. Despite being severely reproached by his mother he never expressed any remorse over the killing. In another, he was captured in a raid by his former tribe, the Ta'yichiut, and held captive. The Ta'yichiut planned on executing Temüjin, but he escaped with help from a sympathetic captor. His mother, Hoelun, taught him many lessons in survival in the harsh political climate of Mongolia, especially the need for alliances with others, a lesson which would shape his understanding in his later years. Around this time, Jelme and Borchu, two of Genghis Khan's future generals, joined him. They, along with his brothers, provided the manpower needed for early expansion and diplomacy for Temüjin.
Around the age of 16, Temüjin married Börte of the Konkirat tribe. Later she was kidnapped in a raid by the Merkit tribe, and Temüjin called on his friend and later rival, Jamuka, and his protector, Wang Khan of the Kerait tribe, for aid and rescued her. Börte's first child, Jochi, was born about nine months after she was freed from the Merkit, leading to questions about the child's paternity - although Genghis fiercely contended that Jochi was his son. Temüjin became blood brother (anda) with Jamuka and thus the two made a vow to be faithful to each other for eternity.
Genghis Khan - His family
Genghis was related through his father to Qabul Khan, Ambaghai and Qutula Khan who had headed the Mongol confederation under Jin Dynasty patronage until the Jin switched their support to the Tatars in 1161 and destroyed Qutula Khan. Genghis' father, Yesugei, khan of the Borjigin, and nephew to Ambaghai and Qutula Khan, emerged as the head of the ruling clan of the Mongols, but this position was contested by the rival Tayichi’ud clan, who descended directly from Ambaghai. When the Tatars, in turn, grew too powerful after 1161, the Jin moved their support from the Tatars to the Kerait.
Temüjin had four siblings (three brothers and a sister):
- Khasar (or Qasar) (brother)
- Khajiun (brother)
- Temüge (brother)
- Temülen (or Temulin) (sister)
Genghis Khan's empress was Borte, his childhood friend in whose family's care his father left Temüjin when he was 9; she bore him four sons:
- Jochi (1185–1227) (paternity contested-see above)
- Chagatai (?—1241)
- Ögedei (?—1241)
- Tolui (1190–1232)
All four sons participated in the Mongol's campaigns, and eventually became Khans of different Khanates after Genghis died, but it was Ögedei who was proclaimed the Khagan, the "Khan of Khans", or "Great Khan" and inherited Genghis Khan's mantle. Genghis Khan had many other empresses and concubines. More than 500 women were spread out into four camps. Borte was the leader of the first camp and she was recognized as the high empress. These four camps also served as Genghis Khan's court.
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 Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Birth and early life", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki |
