Mongols and Genghis Khan

The name Mongols (Mongolian: Монгол Mongol) explains one or more ethnic groups. A hard definition includes the Mongols proper (self-designation Monggol), which can be split into eastern and western Mongols. In a bigger sense, the Mongol peoples also people who speak a Mongolic language but use other self-designations, such as the Kalmyks of eastern Europe.

The name Monggol has its meaning in the Tungusic languages and usually means “the invincible ones”. At first it was applied to a small and still insignificant tribe in the area of the Onon river. In the 13th century it grew into an umbrella term for a large group of tribes united under the rule of Genghis Khan.

Genghis Khan (c. 1162 – August 18, 1227) was one of the world’s most powerful military leaders, who joined with the Mongol tribes and started the Mongol Empire. He was a Mongol Emperor who was very successful in battle, conquering many other peoples such as the Jin Dynasty. He was a very strong and powerful emperor who occupied much of China and some surrounding countries of China. His children and his grandchildren started the largest empire in the world. Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai Khan, was the first ever emperor of the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) in China.

Genghis Khan’s real name was Temüjin which means ironworker. Because of his military success people referred to him as Genghis, meaning “Universe ruler”. Many people were killed by his armies and he gained a reputation as a “brutal monster”. Genghis Khan died in the Liupan Mountains in northwestern China, in Aug. 1227 His burial site is unknown.

  • 734px-Bataille_entre_mongols_&_chinois_(1211)

    Battle between Mongol warriors and the Chinese.

  • 573px-Siège_de_Beijing_(1213-1214)

    Genghis Khan entering Beijing.

  • 322px-During_the_battle_of_Indus

    Genghis Khan watches in amazement as the Khwarezmi Jalal ad-Din prepares to ford the Indus.

  • 449px-Mongol_Great_Khans_coin_minted_at_Balk_Afghanistan_AH_618_AD_1221

    Mongol “Great Khans” coin, minted in 1221 at Balk, Afghanistan, AH 618

  • 458px-China_11b

    Western Xia dynasty, Jin/Jurchen dynasty, Song dynasty and Kingdom of Dali in 1142.

  • Genghis_Khan_and_three_of_his_four_sons

    Genghis Khan and three of his four sons. Illustration from a 15th-century Jami’ al-tawarikh manuscript

  • 604px-GhinggisKhanMausoleum

    The Genghis Khan Mausoleum in the town of Ejin Horo Qi, Inner Mongolia, China

  • 573px-Mongol_Empire_map

    Mongol Empire

  • 677px-USMC-070801-M-1848T-151

    Reenactment of Mongol battle

  • Harhorin

    Modern-day location of capital Kharakhorum

  • Ogadai_Khan

    Genghis Khan’s son and successor, Ögedei Khan

  • GhingisHan-rev

     

    Genghis Khan on the reverse of a Kazakhstan 100 Tenge coin. The coin was minted as a collectable to honor the warlord, and is not used in common transactions.

 

Edited from kids.kiddle.co, CC 3.0 license