10 Genghis Khan Facts That Define History’s Most Famous Barbarian

2. Khan Allowed His Conquered Enemies to Fight for Him

Genghis Khan was a master manipulator and knew how to pull the strings.
Genghis Khan was a master manipulator and knew how to pull the strings.

 

The rise of Genghis Khan’s was quite significant in the sheer number of over 80,000 men he was able to use to conquer and destroy every aspect of people’s lives. Khan employed psychological warfare to let his enemies know that he was a powerful and merciful force to be rivaled. Khan used these intimidation tactics to strike fear in the hearts of his enemies, which helped him to build an army of carefully selected generals and loyal confidants.

Khan had a keen eye that enabled him to spot the skill and experience necessary to promote an officer. One famous example recorded in history occurred during the 1201 battle against the Taijut tribe after Genghis almost lost his life. After asking the prisoners who was responsible, one brave soldier admitted to being the shooter. As a result of his boldness, Genghis immediately made him an officer in his army. The commander, nicknamed, “Jebe,” went on to become one of the greatest commanders in his army.

After realizing that he required people to help govern the cities and states that he conquered, Genghis began bringing in people to rule under him. He also found that his own Mongol people could not rule because they were nomadic, and therefore had no experience governing cities. To solve these issues, he had to employ the use of enemies, or individuals he had previously captured. For instance, he brought in Khitan prince Chu’Tsai, whom had been captured previously by the Mongol Army. Chu’Tsai went on to become a confidant of the Mongols.

1. No One Knows How Genghis Khan Died or Where He is Buried

Where is Genghis Khan buried? No one knows.
Where is Genghis Khan buried? No one knows.

The death of leader Genghis Khan is a mystery that began on August 18, 1227, when he passed of unknown causes while leading his army on a campaign through China. Legend says that during while on the way to the Mongol capital of Karakorum, his soldiers killed anyone who witnessed Khan’s funeral procession. Over 800 soldiers reportedly massacred the 2,000 people who attended his funeral, then executed themselves.

Following the orders of Genghis Khan, his corpse was then placed in an unmarked grave to ensure he is undisturbed. Some even say that horses trampled any evidence of his burial and that a river was added to flow over the site. The location of Khan’s tomb remains a mystery still almost 900 years later because of his extreme measures.

Many historians believe that Genghis Khan was buried somewhere near Khenti Aimag, in Mongolia along with many of his descendants. Since his death over 800 years ago, people have not given up searching for the ruler’s hidden tomb and many people continue to speculate over his cause of death.

Many people believe he died from wounds sustained in battle while others believe he fell off his horse or died from illness. Although his final resting place has never been found, scientists continue to search, and some believe they have found what might even be his Hidden Grave.

Following his death, the Mongol Empire continued to grow and eventually took over most of Eurasia, however, the Empire crumbled after the turn of the 14th century.

Conclusion

Whether you know him as a feared and brutal conqueror, or a brilliant innovator, Mongol leader Genghis Khan had a profound effect on human history. From an early age, he was shown through brutality and force the life of Mongol politics and taught how to forge alliances. After losing his father and being rejected by his clan, a grief-stricken Khan found himself drowning in poverty, which gave him a sense of indifference against humanity.

After killing his half-brother and facing the harsh punishments of his mother, Khan rose to a power that would grow to conquer nations. Under the direction of Temujin, the army of Mongols was formed and so was the great universal leader, “Genghis Khan.” His army reached upwards of 100,000 men, some of whom were Khan’s own enemies or prisoners.

While he ruled his empire of over one million people, he established many laws including abolishing the kidnapping of women and the enslavement of other Mongols. Although he is known for his brutality, he also promoted religious freedom, orders the creation of a writing system, and granted diplomatic immunity to foreign ambassadors.

Genghis Khan conquered more land any other person in history, and he murdered a total of 40 million people, rivaling names like Joseph Stalin and Adolph Hitler. Much of the leader’s life remained a mystery including his appearance and how many descendants he has. Even today, many people wonder where Genghis Khan is buried and continue to search for his tomb and a cause for his death.