Chinggis Khaan's childhood:

             1. Temujin was born

In the beginning of summer, grasses turn green and birds sing beautifully. Early in the morning Mongolian territory's chieftain Yesukhei's queen Uelun gets up from the bed and walks away outside the big white ger. A midnight storm light up the darkness and the sound of it had been like an earthquake and poured down an enormous amount of rain. In the morning there was a clear sky and the earth was freshened up and it seemed awesome. Queen Uelun and her nanny, Huagchin, also with-other two servants went for a walk across the Onon River.
The River runs through the high mountains zigzagging from right to left. The queen Uelun was impressed with the nature at summer time and eventually reached some trees. Suddenly, while she was walking, she didn’t feel so good and stopped. Panic King nanny said: My queen, your baby is coming out. We have no time to go back!І and calmly she put her coat on the ground and let the queen to lie on it. While she was watching the poor queen she sent of the servant for a cart.
When the queenўs body was all sweaty her baby was born. They weren’t prepared for the baby so they used a sharp rock to cut of the umbilical cord, washed the baby in the River Onon and wrapped the baby around with green silk that they had had on their heads. Not long after the servant brought a cart. The queen got on the cart and went home.
An old man Jarchiudai, who was known as a poet, came up to the queen on their way.
Jarchiudai came closer to the queen and said:І Congratulations. I shall pledge my son Zelme's loyalty to your son as a giftІ.
As she came inside everybody came to congratulate the queen for having a boy. As she made herself comfortable she said to the old man Chirkhaiўs son Menlig: “Please hurry to the chieftain with the happy news about his son.”
Right at that moment the chieftain was fighting with Tatars. Because of a misunderstanding between Tatars and Borjgin tribe, the Tatars killed Yesukhei’s ancestor Ambagai Khan. So that’s why Yesukhei wanted to get his revenge.
Menlig went to the place where Yesukhei was as fast as he could. After two days with no food, no sleep he reached Yesukhei and at that moment the chieftain had captured the leader of Tatars. All Yesukhei could think about was the revenge for his ancestor and while he asked: “Any last words? “Menlig came in and said: “My lord, there’s been a joy. You have a boy. I’m here to give you the great news.” Hearing the news Yesukhei forgetting his anger towards the Tatar’s chieftain Temujin, said: “You’ve been blessed. Because of my boy I will spare your life” and Yesukhei set him free. After that he pulled his troops out and returned back home.
As soon as the queen saw Yesukhei smiled lit up on her face and she said: “My lord, had a nice trip? Look at your son”, then Yesukhei “My queen, are you tired?” he asked, kissing his son, who was sleeping in bed so comfortably, and smiled. Huagchin came in gave tea to Yesukhei and reminded him: “My lord, give a name to your son, “and went out. Yesukhei looked at his queen and said: “My son was born when I had captured Temujin, so we will name him Temujin.”
When Temujin was five years old for the first time he went with his father hunting. This happened every month called “Ikh Khuree” hunt.
A thousand great hunters came from all over Mongolia for the monthly hunt. At the hard time of spring they had finished their winter food and hunters hunted down deer for extra food.
Five days later hunters surrounded “Ikh Tal” which is an endless steppe.
As Temujin thought “I will be a great archer like my father” and shot ten arrows which killed two and wounded three deer. Yesukhei saw that, laughed and said: “My five year old Temujin, you have become a great hunter.”
That day Yesukhei killed more than twenty deer. For the next two days everybody got an equal amount of food. At last as an order of Yesukhei he released all the animals that got into the trap on the mountain “BurKhan Khalduun”. So they shared their entire hunt and went back home, no one was empty handed.
Temujin had six brothers. From the queen Uelun there were four boys and one girl. The boys’ names are Temujin, Khasar, Khachuun, and Temuge. And the girl’s name’s Temulen. From the second queen Sochigel were born two boys named Begter and Belgutei. The oldest one was Temujin.
When intelligent Temujin turned nine compared to other kids. He was the best hunting and wrestling. Since his seventh birthday he went hunting he had never come back empty handed. One day when Yesukhei went to visit his old friend and on the way back he saw his son playing with his friends. Temujin built a table and sat on it. The others played the role of soldiers and Temujin gave an order to fight with Tatars. They made the Tatars from grass and they were all shooting at them. Yesukhei saw his son playing and didn’t say anything just went back to his queen and said: “Temujin has grown up. His thinking has changed too. It’s time to think about his marriage. It is rumored that from your tribe there are a lot of charming ladies.” Then the queen said to Yesukhei: “Our son is a very brave and courageous child. So we should get him a smart and kind wife.”
Yesukhei with his son Temujin went to ask for a wife. They were at the River Kherlen drinKing water when a man named Dai Setsen, from the Khongiraad tribe, came to meet them. Hearing that Temujin was looKing for a wife, Dai Setsen looked at Temujin and saw that he had fire in his eyes. Then Dai Setsen said: “I have three boys and one girl. Come to see my daughter.”
When they came to Dai Setsen’s home, Dai Setsen’s wife Tsoton came out and welcomed them warmly. When Yesukhei saw the girl she was a very beautiful girl. Dai Setsen said to Yesukhei;” This is my daughter Burte. She’s ten years old.” Yesukhei asked some questions from Burte which she answered so sweetly that he decided to get her as a daughter-in-law.

Back to TOP

                  2.The Die of Yesukhei
As is culture in Mongolia Yesukhei slept over at Dai Setsen’s house and the next day he said: “Please give Burte to my son, Temujin, as a wife.” Then Dai Setsen smiled and said: “Yesukhei, please be patient. A girl’s destiny is not to get old in the house she was born in.” and accepted Yesukhei’s proposal. Yesukhei gave a horse as a gift. Then Dai Setsen said: “As is a tradition in our tribe your boy Temujin must stay with us.”
Two days after leaving Temujin in Dai Setsen’s place Yesukhei met some Tatar’s people who were having a feast. After he drank and ate some meat he was about to leave when someone gave him a cup of vodka and said, “For your journey back home.” Not long after, he began to have stomachache. Then he realized that the last cup of vodka was mixed with poison. He guessed that the Tatars were getting their revenge for their defeat nine years ago. He rode his horse as fast as he could and the next day he finally got home. Yesukhei knew it was too late and called for Menlig and said to him: “Dear friend, my son Temujin is at Dai Setsen’s home, and on the way back I’ve been poisoned by the Tatars. Take care of my wife and orphan children. Go and bring me Temujin. I will tell him to get my revenge.”
When Temujin came back Yesukhei was already dead. This had happened in 1170. As soon as Temujin saw his father dead he fell on his knees and started to cry. He wiped his tears off and said; “I will get my father’s revenge on the Tatars’.”
In the twelfth century everyone began to live separately since Yesukhei’s death. They didn’t really have a united law. Yesukhei’s own flesh and blood, Taichuud, had been the first one who separated from the family.
Taichuud’s goal was to take over Yesukhei’s power and land. Once Yesukhei’s family was rich, but now they’re poor. At the time Temujin was nine, Khasar was seven, Khachuun was five, Otchigin was three and Temulen was still in her cradle. Begter and Belgutei were still young so all work was on the head of Uelun and Temujin.
Even though Temujin was only nine he was a brave one. Along with his brothers they went hunting and fishing and never come back empty handed. One day Temujin, with his brother Khasar, went hunting but didn’t hunt down anything. At sun set Khasar said: “Let’s go back.” But Temujin said: “We don’t go back until we achieve our aim.” And he didn’t go back home. Thinking that his mother would be worried he sent his brother back, but he stayed for more hunting. The next day he killed two wild animals and then returned home. Uelun was very proud of Temujin’s bravery and said: “My son, later on you will get your revenge from Taichuud and Tatar.”
When he was little his father was poisoned to death and others took his treasure. Since that Temujin has lived with anger and hatred. When he was twelve he did something bad. One day Temujin, Khasar, Begter and Belgutei went hunting. All four of them shot one bird. Begter, the fastest one, reached the bird first and said: “My arrow got it, it’s mine.” Then Temujin said: “You didn’t shoot it, Khasar did.” “You’re just on your real brother’s side.” said Begter and took the bird. The next day all four of them went fishing. None of them captured a fish except Temujin. Begter took the fish and set off on his way home. Temujin, along with Khasar, went after him saying: “That’s my fish, I caught it.” But they weren’t fast enough.
Temujin and Khasar went home and said to their mother; “Begter has taken my yellow fish which I caught.” Uelun put away what she was knitting and said: “You are all one father’s son why do you all have to fight on something like this. If we are like this all the time, how are we going to get our revenge on the Tatars and Taichuud? Do not fight again.” Temujin and Khasar did not listen to what their mother said and said: “Yesterday he took the bird that we shot and today he took my fish. If he is going to be like this how are we supposed to live together?” and Temujin shut the door Bekhind him. Temujin and Khasar said: “We will s how him!”, and went to look for him. Begter saw Temujin and Khasar aiming at him with an arrow and said: “We haven’t even had our revenge from the Tatars and Taichuud, why do you hate me so much? Do not hurt my Belgutei. “He sat down and pleaded for forgiveness. Temujin and Khasar didn’t care about his words and shot him from where they were standing. When they both came back home Uelun noticed their eyes and faces and found out what had happened and was very angry with them. Their mother gathered them all and told them a story about being at peace with each other.

Back to TOP

                 3.Temujin was taken prisoner of Mergids
“A long time ago mother Alungua had five boys named Belgunutei, Bulgunutei, Buha Khatagi, Bukhutu Salji and Bodanchir Munkhag. The five of them never got along with each other. So one day their mother gathered them all and gave each one a single arrow. Everybody broke it easily. Then mother Alungua gave each one five arrows and told them to break them. None of them could break the arrows. Then Alungua said: “All five of you were born from me. If you get separated one by one you will be just like a single arrow. But if you all stick together then you will all be like these five arrows and no one will be able to defeat you.”
Temujin heard the story and was very sorry for what he had done. “From now on I will love my friends and be nice to them,” he said to himself.
Later at the age of ten he became popular among the people who were living near the River Onon. He got what he wanted. Taichuud were shocked when they heard that he had killed his own brother. The Taichuud were talKing: “The one who doesn’t even love his own brother, why would he forgive us. Before they all grow up we should kill them first.” Targutai Khiriltug told the others and gathered their troops to capture Temujin.
As soon as Uelun saw them coming she set the dogs free. While the dogs were slowing the Taichuud down, Uelun took the boys into the dense forest. The Taichuud got past the dog and went inside the Temujin’s house. But there was nobody. When the Taichuud came after them Khachuun, Otchigin and Temulen were hiding in a cave, while Belgutei was preparing arrows for Khasar who was alone battling with Taichuud. Khasar was so good at shooting even Taichuud were scared to come closer and Taichuud said: “Give us your brother Temujin. We don’t need the rest of you.”
Temujin passed Sorkhon Shar and came to Khimurga where his family was supposed to be. But they had already moved on.
He followed the tracks and came to Khorchuhai where he found his family. “We can’t stay here any longer. The Taichuud will come again,” said Temujin and they moved to a place called BurKhan Khalduun Mountain’s Sengur River’s Khar Zurkh Lake.

Back to TOP

             4. Meet Boorchi

At that time Temujin, who stayed with only eight horses, could just hunt marmots, gazelles, antelopes.
One day several horsemen came and drove away the horses that were grazing in Tavan Boldrog Mountain. Temujin shouted and wanted to follow his horses but he hadn’t any horses to ride.
When the sun was setting Belgutei came with several marmots. When he heard that the horses were stolen he wanted to follow them and get the horses back. Then Temujin said: “You can’t. I’ll go.” He prepared some food and has gone. Temujin tracked down his horses and after three days he found a herd of horses. There was one boy who was milKing a mare. Temujin met him and asked about his horses. Then the boy answered: “Today in the morning eight horses passed here. Let’s go together.” He left the mare’s milk and didn’t tell his parents he was going with Temujin. Temujin was very concerned and said: “I am hindering you.” Then the boy said: “I appreciate your problem. That’s why I want to help you. I want to be your friend. My father’s name’s Nakhu Bayan. I’m his only son. My name is Boorchi. “Then Temujin introduced himself too. And Boorchi said that he had heard about his father Yesukhei.
Temujin and Boorchi looked for the horses during the next day. In the evening when they came near one house they saw eight horses were grazing in the field. Then Temujin said: “These are my horses. Wait here. I’ll go and get back my horses.” But Boorchi replied: “No, I’ll go with you. What will I do here alone?” Then they went and drove away the horses.
Temujin and Boorchi went three days and three nights until they approached Nakhu Bayan’s house. Temujin said: “My friend, I couldn’t find my horses without you. You helped me so much. How many horses do you want to take?” “When I saw you’re suffering I just wanted to help you. I didn’t want anything else. I’m the only son of my parents. That’s why my parents’ wealth is enough for me” said Boorchi.
Temujin wanted to go back home but Boorchi didn’t let him go. When Nakhu Bayan saw his son he was very glad and even crying asked: “Where have you been, my son?” “I’m sorry, father. My friend lost his horses. That’s why I wanted to help him to find his horses” Boorchi replied.
Nakhu Bayan was very glad that his son had a new friend and said: “Be friends forever. Don’t ever leave each other.” Then he prepared some food for Temujin and later Temujin went away.
Temujin returned home with his horses. Boorchi was Temujin’s first friend. In 1206 Temujin united the nomad tribes of Mongolia and was given the title “Chinggis Khan”. Then he appreciated his friend Boorchi’s merit and appointed him as “The chieftain of Chinggis Khan’s Durvun Khulug.” He gave Boorchi the right to govern the left ten thousand warriors.
Temujin hadn’t met Burte again since he was nine years old. Now he was seventeen and decided to take her as his wife. Temujin and his brother Belgutei went to Dai Setsen. They lived on the banks of River Kherlen.
Temujin took his brother and went to Dai Setsen to ask for his daughter for marriage. Dai Setsen was very glad to see him and said: “I knew that the Taichuud were your own flesh and blood, but now they are your enemies for you, because they envy you your success and they want revenge against you. I see you’re right. I thought I would never meet you again. I am very glad. It’s a good occasion.” Dai Setsen agreed to marry them. On the wedding day Dai Setsen gave them a coat made of beaver as a wedding gift.
Temujin took Burte to his home after nine days of the wedding. Then he began thinking that it was time to continue his ancestor’s deed and to avenge his father’s death. But he knew that one tree doesn’t make a forest. One man doesn’t make a family. That’s why Temujin sent his brother Belgutei to his friend Boorchi who helped to get his horses back from burglars, to discuss his plans.
When Boorchi heard what Temujin had said to Belgutei, he went to Temujin straight away. Boorchi decided to join the struggle together with his friend. At that moment an old man Jarchiudai came to Temujin with his son and said: “When you were born I pledged my son Zelme’s loyalty to you as a gift. But he was very young and I brought him up at home. Now he’s grown up and he will be your loyal defender.”
Zelme was the second friend after Boorchi. Temujin began to have many brave knights. One day he took his two brothers Khasar and Belgutei and the coat made of beaver, which was given by his father-in-law, and went to the Khan of Khereid tribe Tooril who was the close friend of Yesukhei, to restore the previous relationship with him. The Khereid tribe lived on the banks of Tuul River.
At that time culture was highly developed only in Khereid and it became the most powerful tribe among the all-Mongolian tribes. The territory stretches from the Southern Desert to the Onguud. In the north it borders with Merged tribe by Selenge Lake in the west borders with Naiman tribe. Khereid contains six branches of tribes and always twenty thousand troops were ready for a battle.
A long time ago Tooril Khan fought with the Naiman tribe, but he lost and only one hundred warriors remained. Then Tooril Khan asked Yesukhei for help. After that time Tooril Khan and Yesukhei became close friends. When Temujin approached to the bank of Tuul River he met Tooril Khan and greeted him. Temujin said: “You’re like my father. I want to give you my wedding present. It’s a coat made of beaver,” and he held it for him. When Tooril saw Yesukhei’s son Temujin, he was very excited and said: “Instead of your dear gift I will help you to unite your tribes.” Then there was a big feast a sign of support for Temujin.
The news about Temujin having restored the previous relationship with his father’s friend Tooril Khan was spread among all people. And some of them, who left, came back to Temujin. From that time his struggle for uniting the tribes had begun.

Back to TOP

            5. The Temujin established Great Mongolia

In 1178 when Temujin was seventeen he was planning how to take revenge on Taichuud tribe. But suddenly the Merged tribe attacked Temujin and his tribe. Many warriors swarmed Temujin’s camp. Merged tribe consisted of Udaid Merged, Khaad Merged and Uvaas Merged. They lived on the banks of Selenge River and their territory bordered with the Jalair tribe in the west and in the east – with forest people. The chieftain of Udaid Merged was Togtao. The brother of Togtao was the great Chiledu.
When the Great Chiledu was going with Uelun from Olkhnuud he met a Yesukhei knight who liked Uelun. Then Yesukhei captured Uelun from Chiledu and she became Yesukhei’s wife. It was twenty years ago. After that time Merged and Borjgin tribes became enemies.
Togtao’s warriors captured Burte Ujin and Huagchin and went to find Temujin from the forest of BurKhan Khalduun Mountain. The forest was so dense that a snake couldn’t pass through it. Togtoa Bekhi with three hundred warriors looked for Temujin in the forest but they couldn’t find him. Togtoa said: “We came here to get our revenge from Temujin. We didn’t capture him but found Burte. Let’s go back.” They returned to their tribe.
Togtoa Bekhi gave Burte, who was pregnant, to a brother of the Great Chiledu, wrestler Chilger, and Sochigeli was taken by Khatai Darmala.
Temujin with his troops didn’t hurry to go out from BurKhan Khalduun forest. Temujin sent Belgutei, Boorchi and Zelme to check if there were Merged in the forest. Three days later they came to Temujin and said there were no Merged in the forest. Temujin and his tribe went down from BurKhan Khalduun Mountain.
Temujin thought that BurKhan Khalduun Mountain saved him from danger and he had implored the Mountain to save him.
When the three Merged took Temujin’s wife he was too weak to get back his Burte. That’s why Temujin with Khasar and Belgutei went to Tooril Khan to ask for military assistance. Then Tooril said: “Jamukha’s tribe lives in Khorkhonog Jibur. Go and give him the information. I’ll go with twenty thousand warriors as a right hand, and brother Jamukha must go with twenty thousand troops as a left hand. Brother Jamukha must to inform us when we are to start attacKing.”
Jamukha was from the Jadran tribe and he is a person of the same age as Temujin. During one of the battles Bodonchar, the tenth upper generation of Temujin, captured a woman from the AdanKhan Uriankhai tribe and a new generation from her was named Jadran. Jamukha was from this generation. They have lived on the upper side of Khulun Lake. When Jamukha and Temujin were eleven years old they used to play on the ice of the River Onon in the winter time.
When Temujin came home from Tooril Khan he sent Khasar and Belgutei to Jamukha for support. When Jamukha met Temujin’s brothers he agreed to a joint attack on the Merged. Jamukha said to his brothers: “I’ll help my friend to attack the Merged and get his revenge from them. Let Tooril Khan and Temujin go to Onon River’s BotoKhan Boorji place. I’ll come to that place with twenty thousand troops.” Khasar and Belgutei came back home and gave information about meeting with Jamukha at BotoKhan Boorji. So, Temujin established a connection between Jamukha and Tooril Khan. This Temujin’s political struggle played the main role in establishing the Mongolian empire.

Back to TOP