Famous Mongol ruler and commander (B. 1155 -
D. 1227). His real childhood name is Timucin. He is also known as Cingi. He is
the son of Yesukay Batir or Bahadir, one of the Mongol Tribe leaders. His
mother's name is Ulun Hatun. According to traditions, Timucin was born with one
of his hands closed and when he opened his hand, his hand was full with blood.
Supposedly, his father learned that the world faces a great conqueror has said
it would lead to a lot of bloodshed.
Temujin's father died when he was twelve
years old. But the Tribe remained together because of his mother's intelligence
and measures. As Timucin grew, so did his intelligence and he has great
competence in every skill of military. He spent his youth in building a solid
and disciplined army. His father did not leave him a strong government, neither
a strong army. He established all the military with his effort and created one
of the greatest Empires in the history.
The first battles he won were in order to
control the surrounding tribes. Until he was fifty years old, he worked hard to
turn Mongolia into a state bound to him, so his name was only known within
Mongolia until that time. After long lasting battles, he finally had total control
on Eastern and Western Mongolia. He took the title of Hakan in 1202 at a
conference held by all the Mongol and Tatar Khans. After the sat on the throne
in Karakurumİ a priest named Shaman gave him the title of Genghis Khan or
Cıngız Khan. This title was believed as coming from the sky and it meant King
of the Kings.
After this date, Genghis has established a
unique state, one of its kind in the world history, within twenty years.
Mongolia was the first country he invaded outside of China. He fought for long
years and finally captured Beijing in 1216. Uigurs, Karahitays and Karluks were
ruled by Genghis after this. Genghis has started to move into the West and
conquered the Kharzem state along with other states in Central Asia and
Anatolia; expanding its borders from China to Black Sea.
Armies of Genghis have conquered Azerbaijan and Iran, then moving to Caucasus and seizing the region between Don and Danube rivers. His armies have gathered the diverse and scattered nations of Russia under one banner.
Genghis
died in August of 1227. He lived 72 years, and he was a Khan for 25 years.
Along with his conqueror skills, he is also famous with his law making. In the
convention gathered before his death, he made the Turkish laws determined and
called them law. Empire had been divided
among his sons before his death. Therefore, the Empire was divided into many
branches after his death. He had four sons: Cuci, Chagatay, Ödebey, Tuluy.
According to the laws, his youngest son Tuluy replaced him.
"From the Act of Genghis Khan:
-There is only one God, creator of the universe. This God will be
worshiped.
-Anyone who is not the male descendant of Genghis Khan can declare
himself as Khan. The male descendants can only become KHAN with the decision of
Congress.
- No peace agreement will be signed with the enemy unless the enemy
surrenders.
- Army will consist of troops as hundred, thousand, ten thousand. Officer in charge of keeping the weapons will
deliver the weapons of the soldiers himself. Soldiers can take weapons to go on
the hunt in the winter.
- Public will hunt gazelles and other animals between March and May in
order to provide food for the army and palace during the winter.
- Animal blood and intestines are edible.
- Those people who do not go to war have to do public work. In
addition, they serve for Khan one day in a week.
- If they steal valuables, thieves are executed. If the stolen item is
nor valuable, seven or seven hundred clubs will be hit. Those who provide goods which are nine times
valuable than the goods stolen will get rid of the club penalty.
- An adulterer will be executed. Any witness who catches people on
adultery can kill them.
- Spies, false witnesses, homosexuals, wizards and magicians will be
executed
-Those officers who embezzle are executed. If the amount of money is
not huge, then they will go before Khan. (tarihgazetesi.net)
