Who is Genghis Khan?
In today’s world, Genghis Khan is known as a barbarian, ruthless killer. In actuality (and to the Mongolians),
- He is a nomad warrior who fought against a civilised army and conquered most parts of the world in the 13th century.
- He spent 2/3 of his life uniting tribes of Mongolia, and at the age of 50, he started conquering the world.
- He took over China, Persia, Central Asia, and Europe – in today’s world, that would be 30+ countries and 3 billion people.
- He conquered within 25 years what the Romans did in 400 years.
- He also put together regions that formed the modern-day Russia and China
- And everywhere he went, he removed aristocratic privilege by birth, replacing it with merit, loyalty, and achievement.
In this era, we would also call Genghis Khan an entrepreneur ( he had both capitalist and socialist traits) –
- He transformed Silk Route trading towns into history's largest free-trade zone.
- He reduced taxes and abolished them for specific groups (doctors, teachers, priests etc.)
- He also introduced a census and established an international postal system.
- He distributed wealth widely because he believed in cash circulation benefits for the economy.
- His grandson Khubilai Khan attempted to create primary schools for universal basic education of all children to make everyone literate.
I’d say he initiated globalisation.
- They moved German miners to China, Chinese doctors, Parisian metalworkers, and English interpreters to Persia.
- They advanced global trade – back then import/exports of carpets, lemons, carrots, noodles, playing cards, and tea across regions.
- They were also quite the innovators. They merged Chinese gunpowder, Muslim flamethrowers, and European bell-casting to begin the creation of cannons which laid the foundation for a wide range of modern weaponry, from pistols to missiles.
First paper money introducer?
Genghis Khan united the Mongol empire and introduced coins made of gold and silver called Sukhes. In 1227, he also apparently introduced the world's first paper money into use.
On Europe
- The Mongols defeated knights but spared European cities because Europe was less wealthy than China and Muslim countries.
- Europe benefited from connections with the Mongols, like Marco Polo's travels on Silk Road and diplomatic exchanges with popes and kings.
- According to Weatherford, this led to the Renaissance, where Europe rediscovered its culture and adopted Eastern innovations like printing, guns, the compass, and the abacus.
- Europeans started wearing Mongol-style pants and jackets instead of tunics and robes.
- They also adopted the Mongol exclamation "hurray" for enthusiastic encouragement.
In terms of Genghis Khan’s law and regulation
- He created international law
- He upheld laws for rulers while demanding loyalty from conquered subjects.
- He promoted religious freedom.
- He abolished torture and offered diplomatic immunity to ambassadors from even hostile nations.
- But hunted bandits, and assassins.
Did church influence state under Genghis khan?
- He neither influenced any religion nor forced anyone to embrace another.
- He supported the construction of churches, temples, and schools in various places, becoming cultural carriers as they conquered the globe.
On war strategy
- They traveled light and had skilled builders and engineers who constructed what they needed in the countries they conquered.
- They were fast learners and picked up knowledge, technology, and culture from every place they visited.
- They used psychology and intimidation as tactics. They began by taking smaller villages, causing panic in cities. When city armies and leaders got anxious, they would march in and offer surrender terms. They also gathered the wealthy and requested them to hand over their buried wealth.
On legacy
Genghis Khan died at 75, with his family by his side. His descendants ruled for seven centuries. The last ruler from his line, Alim Khan, was the leader of Bukhara in Uzbekistan. He was removed from power in 1920 during the Soviet revolution.
On acknowledging his strength
- In the 13th century, English scientist Roger Bacon observed that the Mongols' success wasn't only because they were strong in battle but also because of their commitment to science.
- Geoffrey Chaucer, the first English author, wrote a long story in The Canterbury Tales about Genghis Khan during the Renaissance era. He was impressed by Genghis Khan's accomplishments.
On prejudice
- There are no actual pictures, statues, or coins showing what Genghis Khan looked like, so people imagined his appearance. They may have projected their fears onto these images.
- Genghis Khan is often unfairly portrayed as a ruthless barbarian, unlike celebrated historical figures like Alexander, Caeser, or Napolean. Voltaire from the Enlightenment era even depicted him as a destructive tyrant.
- Negative associations were attached to names like Tartar, Tatar, and Mongol.
- In the 19th century, the term "Mongoloid" was used to suggest inferiority for Asian and Native American populations.
- Some birth defects were wrongly attributed to supposed Mongol ancestry.
- "Moguls" was mockingly used for wealthy capitalists, referencing the term for Mongols.
- The Mongols were unfairly blamed for various shortcomings in different countries, including Russia, Arab nations, the Taliban, and Iraq.
On the context of this book, The Secret History of the Mongols, a 13th-century account, was discovered. Jack Weatherford, a cultural anthropologist and professor, spent 15 years studying it. He even visited different locations for 5 years to experience the incidences at varying temperatures in Mongolia.
Mongolia’s temperature varies between +40 degrees C to -40 degrees C
The Soviets hid The Secret History of the Mongols because they were worried it didn't fit with their socialist ideas. However, underground scholars shared it among nomadic camps, giving Mongols a different view of their history. When the Soviets left in the 90s, Mongolia open its doors.
I’m still not done with this book but it is such an exciting read. When I am done, I’ll try to share my notes (if I get a chance to)
I’ve read a bit on historical tribal stories and nomad living – Genghis Khan is one of a kind.
Btw, Mongolia is also known as the land of Eternal Blue Sky
