Biography of Genghis Khan

Birth of Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan 's birth was said to be auspicious because he emerged from his mother's womb clutching a large blood clot in his tiny fist, that resembled a dark jewel. A wise man in his clan announced his interpretation of the event: the boy would grow up to be a heroic warrior. There were also rumors that one of his ancestors had been a gray wolf.

Who was Genghis Khan's father?

The boy's father, who was leader of his tribe, named him Temujin, after one of his mightiest enemies, whom he'd defeated in battle. It was not until many years later that his people would dub him Genghis Khan. Temujin was only 13 years old when people began to remark on his fiery eyes and what they called the "bright power" in his face. He was an unusually energetic and alert child who seemed to command respect just by his presence alone. When he was still young, Temujin's father took him on a long journey to find a bride. They found one in the daughter of the chieftain of a wealthy tribe to the southeast, towards China. Her name was Bortei. As was customary, Temujin was to stay with the tribe a while and get to know his in-laws while his father returned home. It would turn out to be a very short stay, for his life soon took a dramatic turn in a new direction.

When Temujin's father was traveling home, he came across a tribe that held an old grudge against his clan. They slipped a slow-acting poison into his food and by the time he reached home, three days later, he was nearly blind and doubled over in excruciating pain. His last words were an order to his servants to go and retrieve Temujin so he could take over command of their small family.

Shortly after Temujin returned home, quarrels broke out in the clan and members split off in different sects. Eventually the entire clan went off to its summer pastures, abandoning Temujin and his family to die. He was still just a child and he had a mother, four brothers, two half brothers, a sister, and an old woman servant to take care of. Now began the years of struggle. The family scrambled for their food - living on wild berries, garlic, onions and other roots. The boys hunted for rodents and became skilled at catching fish. It was a hard adjustment for a family used to living on rich mutton and mare's milk. Temujin was only 15 when he enlisted the help of one brother in killing his stepbrother for stealing a trout from him. Over the next four years Temujin became increasingly strong and skilled at survival. Word spread through the steppes that the family had survived and Temujin had grown into a fierce warrior who might seek revenge for the offenses against his family. This frightened the tribe that had abandoned them, so they descended on the family and took Temujin captive. They put a heavy wooden yoke around his neck and shoulders and then fastened his hands to the yoke so he was in constant pain. But Temujin's years in the wilderness had turned him into a fighter. One evening, he swung the heavy yoke against his guard, knocking him out. Then he ran into the woods and hid. He was found there by a member of the clan who had been impressed by his fiery spirit and courage, and who helped him escape. Temujin never forgot this man; when he became Khan he rewarded the man with land, servants, and special privileges.

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