Genghis Kahn's forces were practically invincible, as they combined mobility, discipline, adaptability, strategy, strength, and endurance in direct battle with skills in intelligence gathering,psychological warfare, siege warfare, and superb communications. 

In the aftermath of the battles he led, Genghis Khan established an empire that brought peace, stability, and unity to much of central and eastern Asia, and practiced religious tolerance to a remarkable degree at a time when conformity to the doctrines of the established church was rigidly policed in many European countries. Before becoming a Khan, Temüjin united the many Turkic-Mongol confederations of Central Asia, giving a common identity to what had previously been a territory of nomadic tribes. Starting with the conquest of Western Xia in northern China and consolidating through numerous campaigns, including against Khwarezmid Empire inPersia, Genghis Khan laid the foundation for an empire that was to leave an indelible mark on world history. Several centuries of Mongol rule across the Eurasian landmass—a period that some refer to as Pax Mongolica—radically altered the demography and geopolitics of these areas. The Mongol Empire ended up ruling, or at least briefly conquering, large parts of modern day China, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine, Korea, Azerbaijan, Armenia,Georgia, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Moldova, Kuwait, Poland, and Hungary.

 

Early Life

 

        Temujin, Genghis Khan, was the son of a Mongol chieftain Yesukhei. Yesukhei delivered Temüjin to the family of his future wife, members of the Onggirat tribe, when he was only nine, as part of the marriage arrangement. He was supposed to live there in service to Deisechen, the head of the household, until he reached the marriageable age of 12. Shortly thereafter, his father was poisoned on his journey home by the neighboring Tatars in retaliation for his campaigns and raids against them. This gave Temüjin a claim to be the clan's chief, although his clan refused to be led by a mere boy Temujin and soon abandoned him and his family. For the next few years, Temüjin and his family lived the life of impoverished nomads, surviving primarily on wild fruits, marmots, and other small game.

Uniting Mongol Aimags

 

     When his young wife Börte was kidnapped by a rival Merkit tribe, Temujin united the nomadic, previously ever-rivaling Mongol tribes under his rule through political manipulation and military might. His most powerful allies were his father's friend, Kereyd chieftain Wang Khan Toghoril, and Temujin's childhood anda (blood brother) Jamukha of the Jadran clan. With their help, Temujin defeated the Merkit tribe, rescued his wife Börte, and went on to defeat the Naimans and Tatars. Temujin forbade looting of his enemies without permission, and he implemented a policy of sharing spoils with his Mongol warriors and their families instead of giving it all to the aristocrats. He thus held the Khan title. These policies brought him into conflict with his uncles, who were also legitimate heirs to the throne; they regarded Temujin not as leader but merely an insolent usurper. This controversy spread to his generals and other associates, and some Mongols who had previously been allies with him broke their allegiance.

      War ensued, and Temujin and the forces still loyal to him prevailed, destroying all the remaining rival tribes from 1203–1205 and bringing them under his sway. In 1206, Temujin was crowned as the Khaghan of the Yekhe Mongol Ulus (Great Mongol Nation) at a Kurultai (general assembly/council). It was there that he assumed the title of "Genghis Khan" (universal leader) instead of one of the old tribal titles such as Gur Khan or Tayang Khan, marking the start of the new Mongol Empire

           In 1204, Genghis Khan introduced a written script for the Mongolian language. He attached much importance to its knowledge and employed many scholars, sages and officials as his advisors. Tatatunga, an official from the Naiman tribe and Yelyui Chutsai, a Kidan scholar both served at Genghis Khan’s court. Genghis Khan was an extraordinarily gifted person of high intellect and intuition, an outstanding statesman and political figure of his time, a military genius surpassing all his predecessors and one of the world/s greatest commanders.

            The principles and rules given by him to the princes began to spread, becoming the customs and statesmanship heritage of the whole Mongolian nation. Genghis Khan worshipped the Eternal Blue Skies and shamanism since childhood. He taught his sons to cherish and esteem the Father Sky and Mother Earth. Genghis Khan issued edicts ensuring the right to practice other religions and preventing religious intolerance and hostilities. He instructed his soldiers and officers to avoid destroying occupied countries’ churches and temples, and carried out policies with respect to religious persons, exempting them from taxation and military service.