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.
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Battle between Mongol warriors and the Chinese.
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Genghis Khan entering Beijing.
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Genghis Khan watches in amazement as the Khwarezmi Jalal ad-Din prepares to ford the Indus.
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Mongol “Great Khans” coin, minted in 1221 at Balk, Afghanistan, AH 618
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Western Xia dynasty, Jin/Jurchen dynasty, Song dynasty and Kingdom of Dali in 1142.
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Genghis Khan and three of his four sons. Illustration from a 15th-century Jami’ al-tawarikh manuscript
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The Genghis Khan Mausoleum in the town of Ejin Horo Qi, Inner Mongolia, China
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Mongol Empire
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Reenactment of Mongol battle
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Modern-day location of capital Kharakhorum
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Genghis Khan’s son and successor, Ögedei Khan
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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