Genghis Khan: The Warlord Who Almost Conquered the Entire World
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In the 13th Century, a Mongolian warlord Genghis Khan set out to conquer the world and he almost did
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The ruler set a reputation as arguably the greatest military commander in his 2-decade prime
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Khan greatest feats include invading northwestern China and making it past the great wall of China
“Genghis Khan”. This is a name that is famous across China and Asia due to the exploits of its bearer in the 13th century.
During his existence, this Mongolian leader forged a reputation as the most fearsome warlord, conquering northwestern China and controlling the largest empire in the world.
Early Life
Although not much is known about the birth of Genghis Khan many have estimated that he was born in 1162 in Delüün Boldog, modern-day Mongolia.
Named Temüjin at birth, Khan’s father Yesügei was the leader of the Kiyat-Borjigin clan.
Temujin was born holding a blood clot. The clan believed that this was a sign that he would be a brave warrior.
When Temujin was 9, his father was killed by a rival tribe and he and his mother were evicted from the clan.
The great warlord was raised by his mother in the Mongolian grasslands, mostly foraging on berries and rodents.
Rise to become Mongol ruler
When Temujin was 16 he got married to a a girl called Börte of the Olkhonud tribe but another misfortune hit as a rival tribe Merkit attacked and left with his wife.
In a bid to recover his wife Temujin knew that he needed an army of his own and he raised one.
Temujin formed an alliance with a formidable warlord called Toghrul and he was able to conquer the Mongols with the aid of his soldiers.
In the coming years, Temujin united the tribes of Mongolia under a single ruler “Genghis Khan” and he took the title.
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Conquering China
Genghis Khan’s first major war outside Mongolia was against the Jin dynasty of northern China.
The Mongols attacked the countryside forcing people to seek refuge behind the city wall.
When food shortage hit, the Jin army was forced to kill thousands of peasants to stay alive.
Eventually, Genghis Khan and his army laid siege to walls and conquered Jin Dynasty.
Other areas where Genghis Khan conquered include Khwarezm Empire (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iran in present-day).
At their peak, the Mongols ruled over an area of 12 million square miles, this is as large as present-day Africa.
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