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The father of Genghis Kahn was Yisugei, belonging to the Kit-Borjigid nomad tribe in Mongolia. Yisugei was an aristocratic leader in his tribe as well as a fierce fighter. Genghis Kahn's given name, Temuchin, comes from his birth story. Yisugei was coming home from a campaign against the Tartars when his first wife Hoelun was in labor. He had brought captives with him and one was named Temuchin-use. It was customary to name a child after a captive from a successful campaign.
There are also arguments made that Temuchin's family were smiths, and the name comes from the word tour, with means iron. Temuchin had a brother named Temple and a sister named Temulun. The birth date of Temuchin is not well known, the Chinese Zhao Hong says 1155, but instances in his early life do not concur with that early of a date. Most he was born between 1162 and 1167. At an early age he made a blood-compact with a friend named Jamuka, in later years this would take great strain on Temuchin. (Ratchnevsky? ? ) When Temuchin was eight to nine years old, Yisugei decided it was time to choose a fianc for his son. Yisugei had originally thought of a Oggirat bride for his son, as the Onggriats were one of the oldest and most respected tribes in Mongolia.
On his way to the Oggirat, he stopped to visit Daisechen, a member of the Boskur tribe, which was a sub-tribe of the Oggirat. Yisugei took a immediate liking to Daisechen daughter and started betrothal negotiations. After much discussion, Daisechen agreed but only if Temuchin was to live with him for a year. This was done to make up for the bride-price.
The marriage would also allow a alliance with the two tribes, which was advantageous to the Kits. Yisugei was not able to benefit from the alliance though, during his return trip home he stopped at a Tartar encampment who recognized him and mixed poison into the food that they shared. His death had a profound affect on his family. The rest of the tribe deserted them because their leader was now gone. The remnants of the family were forced to hunt and gather on their own to survive. There is a story about Temuchin and Kasar catching a fish, and the two older half-brothers Bekhter and Belguteis taking it from them, which was something that had been doing to torment the younger brothers.
Temuchin and Kasar went to Bekhter and both shot him once. This is the only tarnishing part of the young Genghis Kahn's life. He later said, It is to Belguteis strength and Kasar's Prowess as an archer that I owe the conquest of the World Empire. (Ratchnevsky 18 - 24) Following the episode of the killing of Bekhter, Temuchin was taken into custody by the Tayichiut tribe. This may have been a result of the murder of Bekhter, but the history is unclear. He was put in a cage and guarded day and night. He only escapes on a feast day when the guard is a puny youth.
He went to a tent of a person who had taken pity on him and was given a horse to aid in his escape. This story illustrates how Temuchin understood people, and had the common sense to watch when the enemy is week to make his move. This also played an important role in future battle decisions, as Temuchin remembered the experiences and captivity in the Tayichiut camp. (Ratchnevsky 24 - 28) At the age of fifteen, Temuchin remembered the fianc and decided to marry. He had moved into a new period of his life, and realized that if he was to attain power, he need the protection of a patron. He chose Toghrul, the leader of the Merkits. Temuchin had good reason to choose Toghrul.
Yisugei had helped restore Toghrul to his leadership position after his uncle drove him out from his land. Temuchin reminded Toghrul of the relationship he and his father had saying, In earlier days you swore friendship with my father, Yisugei. Accordingly, you are as my own father and I bring you my wifes wedding gift. With this he presented Toghrul a sable cloak that was from his wifes parents. Toghrul was greatly pleased, and granted the vassal relationship that Temuchin was looking for. Not long after, Temuchin was able to put his new relationship with Toghrul to the test.
The Merkits, whose tribe Temuchin's mother was stolen from, had heard that Temuchin now had a wife. In revenge for the kidnapping of Hoelun, they attacked the Temuchin camp. Everyone got away except Belguteis mother and Borte, Temuchin wife. The Merkits stopped and took the women, shooting that they now had their revenge for Hoelun. Temuchin never hesitated, he went straight to Toghrul, who promised to rescue his wife. Toghrul and Jamuka both sent twenty thousand men to Temuchin's assistance.
The campaign was a complete success, Borte was rescued and Temuchin new he could trust Toghrul to assist him. (Ratchnevsky 31 - 37) After the successful rescue of Borte, Jamuka and Temuchin's tribes camped together for about a year and a half. This was a very unusual thing to do for the nomadic tribes; usually they would separate after campaigns. To the bystander it was a time of merriment, but Temuchin used the time to make friends and recruit people to his tribe. Apparently Jamuka grew tired of the companionship of Temuchin and the two separated in a less than friendly way. This separation was another turning point in the life of Temuchin, it subtly announced that he was going to play an active role in the struggle for dominance over the Mongol tribes.
Temuchin recognized that in order to win the loyalty of people he had to have a reputation of a just and loyal leader. An example of Temuchin's generosity is shown in a hunting story. Temuchin and his men were hunting near the Jeurets tribe, and he suggested that they camp together overnight. The next day, Temuchin had animals driven toward the Jeurets, and they killed a great number.
Temuchin offered a treaty with this tribe and they considered it because of how the Tayichiut had treated them as brothers. The leader of the Jeurets did not accept, but two of the leaders and their people joined the Temuchin camp. (Ratchnevsky 38 - 41) The break between Jamuka and Temuchin was becoming more evident. He was joined by Alan-otchigin and Kuchar-be, both...
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