Genghis Khan

Though Temujin's marriage to Börte, a member of the 'Khongirad' tribe, was fixed by his father when he was just nine years old, he married his bride when he turned sixteen.

Borte was soon taken captive by people of the 'Merkit' tribe, and Temujin approached his then friend, Jamukha, along with his father's ally, Toghrul, to help rescue his wife.

Within a few months of rescuing her, she became a mother to their eldest son, Jochi. Though there were rumours that Jochi was an illegitimate child, the boy was accepted by Temujin as his own son.

Genghis Khan was born as Temujin, to Yesügei, the leader of the Khamag Mongol tribe, and his wife, Hoelun, in Delüün Boldog, present day Mongolia. Though the exact date of his birth is unknown, it is estimated that he was born in the latter half of the twelfth century.

Temujin lived with his parents, as well as his siblings Hasar, Hachiun, Temüge, Begter, Temülen, and Belgutei. While Hasar, Temüge, Temülen, and Hachiun, were his own siblings, Begter and Belgutei were half-brothers.

After Yesügei was betrayed and killed by representatives of the 'Tatar' tribe, Temujin wanted to become the chief. However, he was rejected because he was very young, and the whole family was left to fend for themselves. For a long time the family lived in dire poverty, foraging for food all by themselves.

During this time, Mongolian tribes were not united, and the only way of forming allies was by fixing marriages between children of individual rulers.

Temüjin initially became a close associate to his father’s blood brother, Toghrul, the ruler of the 'Khereid' tribe. Soon, the former began rising to power, and his greatest opposition came from his childhood friend, political leader of the 'Jadaran' tribe, Jamukha.

In 1186, Temüjin became the 'Khan' of the Mongols, causing his friend-turned-rival, Jamukha to launch an attack using thirty thousand soldiers, the following year. In the 'Battle of Dalan Balzhut', led by Jamakha, Temujin was defeated. However, he gained many followers, owing to the cruel treatment meted out by Jamukha.

Around 1190, Temujin created a code of law, called 'Yassa', to rule his subjects. The 'Yassa' was never made public, so that it could be changed as when it was deemed necessary.

When the Jin dynasty attacked their earlier ally, the Tatars, in 1197, Temujin and his ally Toghrul offered military help. The Jin dynasty won, and their accomplices were honoured with the titles 'j'aut quri', and 'Ong Khan', respectively.

Temujin continued to conquer enemy tribes, ensuring that he took care of the defeated, unlike other Mongol leaders, who would abandon the wounded. He also went to the extent of making his mother take care of orphans belonging to the nemesis.

The famous Mongol emperor is best known for his creation of a decree called the ‘Yassa’. These rules of conduct were implemented in secret, so that there was scope to change them as and when required. Initially the Yassa was followed only during wars, but it was later modified to include the empire's lifestyle and cultural activities.