Everyone knows that Genghis Khan is the founder of the Mongol Empire, a generation of heroes, but they don't know that the cause of his death is so mysterious. Some people say that he died at the hands of the princess of Western Xia, some say that he died of his son's poison, and some say that he died in an accident from a horse fall. Why is this powerful emperor so unbearable when he is dying? Why are Mongolian history books so secretive about this and ashamed to record it? Could there be something else going on?
Genghis Khan fought all his life and expanded countless territories, but he was defeated at the last moment. Did he really die at the hands of the Western Xia princess in revenge? Why are the history books silent about this? What's the secret? Let's uncover this long-sealed historical mystery and explore the final ending of this generation of Tianjiao.
The wind and sand on the steppe blew the face of a young man, who was later known as Genghis Khan, who was then called Temujin. Temujin was born in a Mongolian tribe and experienced ups and downs since childhood. His father was poisoned by the enemy, and the family was torn apart, and Temujin and his mother depended on each other and grew up in difficult circumstances.
However, a turning point in fate soon came. With his wisdom and courage, Temujin gradually rose to prominence among the tribe. He was adept at forming alliances and soon amassed a loyal following. Through a series of political and military campaigns, Temujin gradually unified the various tribes of the Mongolian plateau.
In 1206 AD, Temujin was elected Great Khan at the assembly of the Mongol tribes and received the honorific title of "Genghis Khan", which means "Great Khan of the whole world". This moment marked the official birth of the Mongol Empire and the imminent rise of a vast empire spanning the Eurasian continent.
After becoming the Great Khan, Genghis Khan showed amazing military talent. He reformed the organization of the army, created a decimal military establishment, and made the Mongol army the most powerful armed force in the world at that time. Genghis Khan was adept at taking advantage of the mobility of his cavalry and employing flexible tactics to be invincible on the battlefield.
Genghis Khan's path of conquest began in the north. He first conquered the various tribes of Siberia, then marched westward, capturing the kingdom of Khorezm in Central Asia. This conquest not only expanded the territory of the Mongol Empire, but also opened the door to the West for the Mongols.
Subsequently, Genghis Khan set his sights on the Jin dynasty in the south. The Jin dynasty ruled northern China at that time and was powerful. However, under the fierce attack of Genghis Khan, the Jin dynasty was defeated one after another. Although Genghis Khan did not witness the complete fall of the Jin Dynasty, he laid the foundation for the subsequent annexation of northern China by the Mongol Empire.
Genghis Khan's conquests did not stop there. He sent his generals on expeditions to Russia and Eastern Europe, and the Mongol horsemen trodden the vast land from the Pacific Ocean to the Danube. In just a few decades, Genghis Khan and his successors built the largest land empire in history, spanning Eurasia.
Genghis Khan was not only a military genius, but also a brilliant politician and organizer. He instituted the Great Zaza, which became the fundamental law of the Mongol Empire. He also established an efficient post station system that facilitated communication and trade within the empire. In terms of religious policy, Genghis Khan adopted a tolerant attitude, allowing various religions to spread freely within the empire.
However, Genghis Khan's conquest also brought great destruction and suffering. Many cities were razed to the ground during the Mongol army's onslaught, and countless civilians were killed. This brutal method of conquest drew a lot of criticism in later generations and became one of the points of contention when evaluating Genghis Khan.
Genghis Khan's life is full of legends. From a tribal leader to a vast empire spanning Europe and Asia, his rise to prominence is one of the most astonishing political and military achievements in human history. However, just as he was about to complete his final conquest of Western Xia, the wheel of fate came to an abrupt halt. There have been many theories about the cause of his death, the most notable of which is the legend about the princess of Western Xia.
The last stop of Genghis Khan's conquest was the Western Xia Kingdom. Western Xia, a powerful kingdom founded on the upper reaches of the Yellow River, was once known as the "Four Great Powers of the Northwest" along with the Song, Liao, and Jin. However, in the face of the fierce offensive of the Mongol iron cavalry, the fate of the Western Xia Kingdom was already sealed.
In 1226, Genghis Khan decided to personally lead his army and deliver the final fatal blow against Western Xia. At that time, the Western Xia had been greatly injured and had many internal contradictions. Faced with the pressure of the Mongol army, the Western Xia army retreated one after another. Genghis Khan's army was like a rolling torrent, destroying and destroying the cities of Western Xia.
In this protracted campaign, the resistance of Western Xia was extremely stubborn. They took full advantage of the terrain and set up a strong defensive line along the Yellow River. However, Genghis Khan's army adopted siege tactics and cut off the grain routes of the Tangut, plunging the Tangut army and people into famine.
In 1227, the Western Xia capital of Xingqing (present-day Yinchuan, Ningxia) was besieged by Mongol troops. At this critical moment, the Western Xia Emperor Li Xianyu decided to surrender. However, just as Western Xia was about to fall, a shocking news came to the steppe: Genghis Khan had died suddenly.
Regarding the death of Genghis Khan, the most striking statement is the "revenge theory of the princess of Western Xia". Legend has it that after capturing the capital of Western Xia, Genghis Khan captured one of the princesses of Western Xia. This princess was so beautiful that she was included in the harem by Genghis Khan. However, there is a murderous motive in her heart.
Legend has it that the princess of Western Xia used her beauty to gain the favor and trust of Genghis Khan. She waited for the opportunity, and finally one night, while Genghis Khan was asleep, she pierced Genghis Khan's throat with a thin needle hidden in a bun, avenging the death of the country.
The legend, while dramatic, lacks solid historical evidence. First of all, there is no record in Mongolian historical sources that Genghis Khan Naxixia was a concubine. Secondly, Genghis Khan was already old and decrepit at that time, and it is doubtful whether he could still be bewitched by beauty.
What's more, if Genghis Khan really died at the hands of the Western Xia princess, the Mongols could not have reacted to it. According to Mongol custom, if the Great Khan was assassinated, there would be bloody revenge. However, there is no record in history of the Mongol army's particularly brutal retaliation against the Western Xia.
So, how did this legend come about? One possible explanation is that this story was concocted by later generations based on the historical background of Genghis Khan's conquest of Western Xia, combined with the romantic imagination of revenge for a weak and small people. In folklore, tales of the weak side overcoming the strong through outwit are popular.
Another possibility is that the legend stems from criticism of Genghis Khan's means of conquest. Genghis Khan fought all his life, causing huge casualties and property losses. Ascribed the cause of his death to the revenge of the vanquished, which in some way satisfied the expectations of justice.
Although the "revenge theory of the princess of Western Xia" lacks historical basis, it reflects mixed perceptions of the legendary figure of Genghis Khan. On the one hand, people were in awe of his military prowess and political wisdom; On the other hand, they are terrified and disgusted by his brutal conquest.
In any case, the Battle of Western Xia was indeed the last battle of Genghis Khan's life. After conquering this once powerful kingdom, Genghis Khan's life also came to an end. Regarding the cause of his death, in addition to the revenge theory of the princess of Western Xia, there are several other theories circulating, each of which has its supporters and doubters.
In Genghis Khan's later years, power struggles within the empire gradually surfaced. The battle was not only about the succession of the empire, but also about the future direction of the Mongol Empire. As a vast empire spanning the Eurasian continent, the change of its rulers will inevitably attract the attention and competition of various forces.
According to Mongol tradition, the eldest son is usually the first choice of the heir. According to this logic, Genghis Khan's eldest son, Jochi, should be the most powerful heir. However, it's not that simple. Jochi's birth time coincided with the marriage of Genghis Khan and his eldest wife, Polti, which raised questions about Jochi's origins. Although Genghis Khan openly admitted that Jochi was his son, the question always hung over Jochi.
Genghis Khan's second son, Chagatai, was another serious contender. Chagatai was known for his severity, sticking to the traditional Mongol way of life and opposing the empire's move toward a sedentary civilization. This attitude made him a supporter among the Mongol aristocracy, but it also put him at odds with his younger brother Ogedei, who advocated reform.
Ögedei was the third son of Genghis Khan. He has a gentle personality and is good at coordinating all parties, and he excels in handling the affairs of the empire. Genghis Khan was increasingly inclined to choose Ögedei as his heir in his later years, which caused discontent among the other princes.
Tuo Lei was the youngest son of Genghis Khan and the most favored one. According to Mongolian custom, the youngest son usually inherits his father's camp and family property. Although he was the youngest, his military talent was appreciated by his father. Genghis Khan's preference for tow mines aroused the alarm of other brothers.
Each of these princes had their own supporters, and different factions were formed in the court. Jochi's supporters were mainly from the western conquests, Chagatai had a strong influence in Central Asia, Ögedai had the support of many civilian officials, and Tolei had considerable prestige in the army.
The power struggle was not confined to princes. Genghis Khan's younger brother Guiyu is also a character that cannot be ignored. As the patriarch of the empire, Guiyou has a considerable voice in the court. He supported the succession of Ögedei, which influenced Genghis Khan's decision to a certain extent.
As Genghis Khan advanced his age, the question of succession became more and more urgent. The various forces began to compete in secret, trying to influence the decision of the Great Khan. Rumor has it that some princes are even considering going to extreme lengths to secure their own succession. This tension poses a potential threat to the stability of the empire.
Genghis Khan was aware of the danger of this situation. In order to prevent the empire from falling into civil strife after his death, he began to arrange for succession. He summoned his sons and important ministers and discussed the future of the empire in detail. In the process, Ogedai gradually became the most likely successor.
However, Genghis Khan did not immediately announce his decision. He chose to maintain a certain degree of ambiguity, probably in order to balance the forces and avoid an open conflict during his lifetime. This strategy did maintain a semblance of peace in the short term, but it also set the stage for future power struggles.
At the same time, Genghis Khan was faced with the question of what to do with the vast territory of the empire. He decided to divide the empire among the princes, but retained central control over the localities. This practice both satisfied the ambitions of the princes and preserved the unity of the empire. However, this feudal system also laid a hidden danger for the future division of the empire.
The power struggle in Genghis Khan's later years was not only related to personal honor and disgrace, but also related to the direction of the entire empire. Do you continue to expand or start governing? Do you stick to nomadic traditions or learn from sedentary civilizations? These questions need to be answered by a new successor.
Just as this undercurrent power struggle was in full swing, Genghis Khan suddenly died. The news of his death threw itself into the lake like a boulder, causing a huge ripple. The forces quickly adjusted their tactics in preparation for the upcoming transition of power. However, many doubts about Genghis Khan's death cast a shadow over this transfer of power.
The death of Genghis Khan has always been a historical mystery. There are several theories circulating about the cause of his death, each with its supporters and doubters. These statements reflect not only the historical context of the time, but also the different views of later generations on this great conqueror.
One of the most well-known is the "Death by Falling Horse". Genghis Khan is said to have fallen from his horse during his conquest of Western Xia and died of his injuries. This statement seems plausible, as Genghis Khan did frequently ride horses to fight in his later years. However, some historians question this. They point out that if Genghis Khan did die from falling from his horse, then the Mongols would have regarded the horse as a piece of foreboding, but there is no record of this in history.
Another way of saying it is the "death from disease". It is believed that Genghis Khan may have died of malaria or other tropical diseases. This claim is based on the fact that the Mongol army often suffered from illness during their conquest of the southern regions. Genghis Khan, as commander-in-chief, may also have contracted these diseases. However, opponents point out that Genghis Khan rarely traveled to the tropics in person, and contracting tropical diseases is unlikely.
The "poisoning to death theory" is also a popular saying. Rumor has it that Genghis Khan was poisoned and assassinated. Proponents of this theory believe that Genghis Khan made many enemies in his later years and was likely to be assassinated. However, this claim lacks direct historical evidence to support it and is more like speculation by later generations.
There is also a special saying called "natural aging". According to this account, Genghis Khan simply died of old age and infirmity. Supporters note that Genghis Khan was already in his 60s at that time, which was quite old under the conditions of the time. However, this statement seems too prosaic to satisfy people's imagination of legendary figures.
In addition to this, there are some more bizarre claims. For example, it has been claimed that Genghis Khan died in a mysterious "heavenly punishment", which was the punishment for his life's wars. It is also believed that Genghis Khan did not really die, but secretly retired and handed over power to his successor. Although these claims lack historical evidence, they reflect the mystification and mythologization of Genghis Khan among the people.
It is worth noting that the different accounts about the death of Genghis Khan often reflect the positions and perspectives of different groups. For example, conquered peoples were more inclined to believe in the "revenge" narrative, while the Mongols might be more willing to accept the "natural death" or "glorious death" narrative.
Among these many different claims, a striking detail is Genghis Khan's "last words" on his deathbed. It is said that he instructed the people around him not to make the news of his death public immediately, so as not to affect the morale of the army. This detail, whether true or not, reflects Genghis Khan's consideration of the overall situation of the empire.
News of Genghis Khan's death eventually spread, but the exact cause of death remains a mystery. The Mongols deliberately kept the cause of the Great Khan's death and burial location a secret, possibly due to religious and political considerations. In Mongolian tradition, both the remains of leaders and their graves are considered sacred and need to be protected.
The secrecy of Genghis Khan's death only adds to his mystery. Later rulers and conquerors often compared themselves to "Genghis Khan's successors" in an attempt to gain legitimacy. This practice existed not only within the Mongol Empire, but even continued into the later Timurid and Mughal empires.
Regardless of how Genghis Khan died, his death undoubtedly marked the end of an era. The vast empire he left behind faces a great challenge: how to maintain rule without this great leader? How to deal with the contradictions between the various forces? The answers to these questions will gradually emerge in the years that follow.
After the death of Genghis Khan, the Mongol Empire did not collapse as quickly as many expected. On the contrary, this vast empire spanning Europe and Asia continued to expand in the following decades, reaching its largest territory in history. This phenomenon demonstrates not only the solidity of the ruling system established by Genghis Khan, but also the amazing ability of the Mongols to adapt and assimilate foreign cultures.
According to Genghis Khan's last wishes, his third son, Ögedei, succeeded to the position of Great Khan. The accession to the throne was relatively smooth, thanks in part to Genghis Khan's arrangement. Immediately after Ögedei succeeded to the throne, he set about consolidating his rule. He took a series of measures, including restructuring the central government, reforming the tax system, and improving the network of post stations. These moves not only strengthened the central government's control over the localities, but also laid the foundation for further expansion of the empire.
Under the rule of Ögedei, the territory of the Mongol Empire continued to expand. The Mongol army marched into Eastern Europe and conquered Kievan Rus' and other regions. At the same time, they also advanced southward, capturing part of the territory of Dali and the Southern Song Dynasty. These military campaigns not only expanded the empire, but also brought great wealth and talent to the Mongols.
However, the expansion of the empire also brought new challenges. How to manage this vast empire spanning multiple cultural spheres became a major problem for Ogedai and his successors. To solve this problem, the Mongol rulers took a number of measures. They retained part of the administrative system of the conquered regions while introducing the Mongol way of rule. This strategy of "adapting to local conditions" of rule largely ensured the stability of the empire.
After the death of Ögedei, the empire went through a period of turmoil. His widow was Emperor Naima Zhenhou, but was soon replaced by Genghis Khan's grandson, Guiyou. Kiyu's reign was shorter, but some of the policies he adopted had a profound impact on the empire. For example, he strengthened his policy of tolerance towards Christianity and Islam, which laid the foundation for religious pluralism in the later Mongol Empire.
After Guiyou, Möngke succeeded to the throne as the Great Khan. Möngke was the grandson of Genghis Khan and the son of Tuolei. Under his rule, the Mongol Empire underwent a series of important reforms. He straightened out his finances, reorganized his army, and began a new military conquest. Möngke sent his younger brother Hulegu on a western expedition to capture Baghdad and destroy the Abbasids. At the same time, he personally led his army south to attack the Southern Song Dynasty, but unfortunately died during the attack on Diaoyu City.
After Möngke's death, the empire fell into an inheritance crisis again. His two younger brothers, Kublai Khan and Ali Buge, fought fiercely for the position of Great Khan. The battle eventually ended in Kublai Khan's victory, but it also deepened divisions within the empire.
After Kublai Khan succeeded to the throne, the Mongol Empire entered a new phase. He moved the capital of the empire from the Mongolian plateau to the Central Plains and established the Yuan dynasty. This move marked the beginning of the Mongol Empire's transition to Sinicization. Kublai Khan adopted many policies of sinicization, but at the same time preserved the Mongolian traditions. This policy of "Mongol-Han integration" prolonged Mongol rule over China to a certain extent.
However, Kublai Khan's reign also faced many challenges. He twice sent troops to Japan and ended in failure, which dealt a serious blow to the myth of the invincibility of the Mongol army. At the same time, the Mongol nobility in other parts of the empire also became dissatisfied with Kublai Khan's policy of sinicization and gradually broke away from the control of the central government.
In the hundred years since Genghis Khan's death, the Mongol Empire has gone from its heyday to its decline. The process is full of dramatic twists and profound historical lessons. The Mongols used to win the world immediately, but it was difficult to rule the world immediately. They built the largest land empire in human history, but ultimately failed to overcome the challenges faced by the Great Unification Empire.
Nonetheless, the reign of Genghis Khan and his successors had a profound impact on world history. They promoted cultural exchanges between the East and the West, promoted the economic integration of Eurasia, and left a deep mark in many fields such as politics, military, and culture. These influences continue to this day and are part of the common historical heritage of mankind.