Early life Early life and family Temujin had three brothers named Hasar, Hachiun, and Temüge, and one sister named Temülen, as well as two half-brothers named Behter and Belgutei. Like many of the nomads of Mongolia, Temujins early life was difficult. His father arranged a marriage for him, and at nine years of age, he was delivered by his father to the family of his future wife Börte, who was a member of the tribe Onggirat. Temujin was to live there in service to Dai Setsen, the head of the new household, until he reached the marriageable age of 12. While heading home, his father ran into the neighboring Tatars, who had long been enemies of the Mongols, and he was subsequently poisoned by the food they offered. Upon learning this, Temujin returned home to claim his fathers position as chieftain of the tribe; however, his fathers tribe refused to be led by a boy so young. They abandoned Hoelun and her children, leaving them without protection. Jurchen inscription (1196) in Mongolia relating to Genghis Khans alliance with the Jin against the Tatars. For the next several years, Hoelun and her children lived in poverty, surviving primarily on wild fruits and ox carcasses, marmots, and other small game hunted by Temujin and his brothers. It was during one hunting excursion that 14-year-old Temujin killed his half-brother Behter during a fight which resulted from a dispute over hunting spoils.[14] This incident cemented his position. In another incident, around 1177, he was captured in a raid and held prisoner by his fathers former allies, the Tayichiud. The Tayichiud enslaved Temujin (reportedly with a cangue, a sort of portable stocks), but with the help of a sympathetic guard - the father of Chilaun (who later became a general of Genghis Khan), he was able to escape from the ger (yurt) in the middle of the night by hiding in a river crevice.[citation needed] It was around this time that Jelme and Boorchu, two of Genghis Khans future generals, joined forces with him. Temüjins reputation also became widespread after his escape from the Tayichiud. At this time, none of the tribal confederations of Mongolia were united politically, and arranged marriages were often used to solidify temporary alliances. Temujin grew up observing the tough political climate of Mongolia, which included tribal warfare, thievery, raids, corruption and continuing acts of revenge carried out between the various confederations, all compounded by interference from foreign forces such as the Chinese dynasties to the south. Temujins mother Hoelun taught him many lessons about the unstable political climate of Mongolia, especially the need for alliances. Marriage to Börte As previously arranged by his father, Temujin married Börte of the Onggirat tribe when he was around 16 in order to cement alliances between their respective tribes. Soon after Börtes marriage to Temujin, she was kidnapped by the Merkits, and reportedly given away as a wife. Temüjin rescued her with the help of his friend and future rival, Jamukha, and his protector, Toghrul Khan of the Kerait tribe. She gave birth to a son, Jochi (1185–1226), nine months later, clouding the issue of his parentage. Despite speculation over Jochi, Börte would be his only empress, though Temujin did follow tradition by taking several morganatic wives.[15] Börte had three more sons, Chagatai (1187—1241), Ögedei (1189—1241), and Tolui (1190–1232). Genghis Khan also had many other children with his other wives, but they were excluded from the succession. While the names of sons were documented, daughters were not. The names of at least six daughters are known, and while they played significant roles behind the scenes during his lifetime, no documents have survived that definitively provide the number or names of daughters born to the consorts of Genghis Khan.[16] Temujin valued loyalty above all else and also valued brotherhood.[17] Jamukha was one of Temujins best friends growing up. But their friendship was tested later in life, when Temujin was fighting to become a khan. Jamukha said this to Temujin before he was killed, What use is there in my becoming a companion to you? On the contrary, sworn brother, in the black night I would haunt your dreams, in the bright day I would trouble your heart. I would be the louse in your collar, I would become the splinter in your door-panel....as there was room for only one sun in the sky, there was room only for one Mongol lord.[17] Religion He was religiously tolerant and interested in learning philosophical and moral lessons from other religions. To do so, he consulted Buddhist monks, Muslims, Christian missionaries, and the Taoist monk Qiu Chuji.[18] The Secret History of the Mongols chronicles Genghis praying to the Burhan Haldun mountain. 1 Genghis Khan and Toghrul Khan. Illustration from a 15th-century Jami al-tawarikh 2 Jurchen inscription (1196) in Mongolia relating to Genghis Khans alliance with the Jin against the Tatars.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 20:13:38 +0000
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