Conquests of Genghis Khan

The Conquests of Genghis Khan were military engagements of the first Great Khan, Genghis Khan. Temujin, who emerged in Mongolian steppes around 1162-1227, was a strong leader of the late 12th century in unifying the diverse and often-warring Mongol tribes. With consummate military talent, astute alliances, and political reform, he forged together a powerful and highly mobile army that was sufficiently effective to transform Eurasia.
Starting in the early 13th century, Genghis Khan began his series of military campaigns that resulted in the conquest of some of the most powerful states of the time in both China and Central Asia: the Western Xia and the Jin Dynasties in northern China, and the Khwarazmian Empire in Central Asia, as well as several smaller polities. His armies were impeccable on the battlefield, known for their cavalry tactics, strategic use of siege warfare, adaptability, and willingness to employ diplomacy and psychological warfare against their enemies. While these campaigns have caused a great deal of destruction, they opened up vast territories for commerce, communication, and cultural exchanges.
At the time of his death in 1227, his empire stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the Caspian Sea, covering much of northern China, Central Asia, and what is now Iran. His successors, including Ögedei Khan, his son, continued his expansion, finally bringing Mongol rule over most of Eurasia. The conquests of Genghis Khan had momentous political, cultural, and demographic effects, influencing the development of states, trade networks, and societies for centuries. His legacy is a topic of heated debate among historians, with perspectives extending from the time-honored glorifications of military genius and state-building accomplishment to the chastisements visiting destruction and loss of life on his campaigns.
Early Conquests
Conflict against Keraites
The Battling of the Khalakhaljid Sands was fought between Temüjin, later known as Genghis Khan, and the forces of Toghrul, Khan of the Kereit. Temujin was advised of the impending ambuscade by two herdsmen and evaded capture, only to be outdone by a superior Kereit force. With the help of his Mongol friends, he fought against Toghrul's troops at Khalakhaljid Sands and was defeated. During the battle, his 17-year-old son, Ögedei, suffered wounds. After the battle, Temüjin and his close followers engaged in an oath of loyalty known as the Baljuna Covenant.
Conflict against Naimans
The battle at Chakirmaut was the last battle in campaigns to unify the Mongol tribes. Temujin was the name he had during the battle, where he fought against the coalition of tribes under the Naimans headed by Tayang Khan and his son Küchlüg, plus his rival and former ally, Jamukha. Tayang Khan was killed in battle; Kuchlug escaped but lost forces in their responsibility. Jamukha retreated; he was later captured and executed. After plunder and the establishment of vassal status, Genghis Khan launched his first grand invasion in 1209, besieging the capital Yinchuan. After almost a year, Emperor Xiangzong finally surrendered in January 1210, placing the Western Xia under Mongol rule.
Western Xia remained a dominion subject to the Mongols for the next decade while assisting the latter against Jin. However, in 1219, when Genghis Khan was warring against Khwarazmian Empire, the Western Xia initiated moves for an alliance to free itself. He besieged Yinchuan in 1227, but during the campaign, Genghis Khan died. Shortly afterward, the city tore itself apart, having been massacred for its huge population; as this, the Western Xia dynasty is brought to an end.
Conquest of Jin dynasty
The Mongol conquest of the Jin dynasty began with raids from 1207 to 1209 and escalated into a full-fledged invasion by Genghis Khan in 1211. Ala Qush, chief of the Ongut, supported the Mongols by providing a secure route into Jin territory. The first major battle the Mongols fought against the Jin dynasty was at the Battle of Yehuling in 1211, where Genghis Khan's forces defeated the Jin army following the defection of a key Jin commander, Shimo Ming'an. As Genghis Khan moved to the south, his general Jebe went into Manchuria, took Mukden (modern-day Shenyang), and gained the allegiance of the Khitan leader Liu-ke. At the same time, Subutai led the other two tumens with a separate offensive against the Merkits. The historian Ata-Malik Juvayni describes how Kuchlug was taken by a party of hunters and delivered into the hands of the Mongols, who executed him by beheading.
Conquest of Khwarazmian Empire
Early Movements
In the fall of 1219, after crossing rivers and receiving reinforcements from allied groups, the Mongol army arrived at the Syr Darya. Genghis Khan instructed his second and third sons, Chagatai and Ögedei, to besiege Otrar while he remained across the river to draw out the Khwarazmian Shah for combat.
As the siege of Otrar dragged on, he split his forces. His eldest son, Jochi, was sent north to capture cities along the Syr Darya, while generals Subutai and Jebe led a smaller force southward into the Fergana Valley.Historian Ata-Malik Juvayni mentions Gür-Khan in charge of Bukharan garrison although the unconvincing speculation linking him with Jamukha has gained currency, Garcia[which shade of Garcia confused me, changed to Paul Buell rather, was executed in 1206.
Authentic accounts cited the key battle as being on the second or the third day, in which 2,000 to 20,000 of the sultan's auxiliary cavalry attempted a sort of battle but were routed by the Mongols.
Siege of Gurganj
The Siege of Gurganj was conducted in April 1221 during the Mongol conquest of the Khwarazmian Empire. Genghis Khan invaded the empire ruled by Shah Muhammad II, capturing Otrar, Bukhara, and Samarkand in quick succession, and then heading towards Gurganj. Marshy delta of the Amu Darya presented a rich, yet inefficient position to siege. The soldiers did not possess projectiles made from stones, so they invented the usage of water-hardened mulberry tree trunks, which were wielded to serve not only as battering rams but also as missiles.
The siege had been jointly led by Jochi and Chagatai, though their disagreements led to Genghis Khan making Ögedei the only commander. After much effort, the city fell, leading to one of history's bloodiest massacres.
Bela Noyan's force scaled the ridge and struck the Shah's left flank and rear; in spite of terrible losses, this was partially successful. The Khwarazmian left fell apart, Amin Malik was slaughtered as he fled. The battle was lost, but Jalal al-Din fought on until midday, when he finally managed to punch through the Mongol lines and leap thirty feet down a cliff into a river, which he crossed to the other bank. Genghis Khan saw this and commanded that his archers should shoot no more, crying: "Let him be blessed, he has a bright son.<ref name=":7" />
By this time, Jalal al-Din managed to cross at the expanse leaving a large number of his men who were shot by the Mongol archers; only about 4000 made it across. Almost all of the rest were killed; camp, harem, and treasure were taken, and the execution of all his male relatives of royal blood, even the young princes, was ordered.<ref name=":8" />
See also
*Mongol Empire
*Genghis Khan
*Mongolia
*China

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