The Unbridled Spirit

The Mongol Empire arose in 1206 AD, from nomadic tribes who lived in the far north of China, until it became one of the largest empires in history. Its influence extended from the Pacific Ocean to central Europe, and its area reached 28 million square kilometers, or approximately 20% of the land area. A bloody and terrifying history for the whole world, before it disintegrated into small empires in the 1360s due to civil conflicts.

The Mongols did not have any interest in constructing great urban monuments or in their political systems, and they were not famous for either of them, but in return they contributed to cultural progress. They connected the East with the West through trade routes and diplomatic relations, and they also facilitated the movement of missionaries and travelers from Eurasia to the Far East.

Historical origins:

The origin of the Mongols goes back to pastoral tribes of pagan nomads in northern China and present-day Mongolia. The environment in which they lived depended on caring for large herds of animals, and the harsh geographical and climatic nature played a role in the endurance of these tribes, which created a strong generation of knights.

The Mongolian tribes consisted of diverse races, including Turkish tribes, including the Turkic, Kyrgyz, Ghaz, and Qarluk tribes, and non-Turkish tribes, such as the Khitai, Tatars, Krayt, Naiman, and Burqin tribes, the tribe from which the origins of Genghis Khan, the founder of the empire, descended.

Origin and establishment:

This empire was established by its founder, Genghis Khan, whose original name was Temujin. His father, Yosgi, had controlled a group of 40,000 families, but he was poisoned. These groups disintegrated, and some of them left to belong to the family of Temujin, who was a child at the time.

After Temujin grew up, he became the leader of the group, succeeding his father. He built his power himself, forming alliances from the Asian steppe tribes. He threatened most of the knights, giving them the choice between joining him or execution. He also forced the Tatar, Kerid, Naiman, and Mirkid tribes to submit to him.

Genghis Khan formed a large army of knights, whom he trained severely, including 10,000 of his own fighters - from whom he appointed an elite to prominent administrative positions - and others whom he recruited against his will from fighters who were allies of the empire and the lands he had seized.

In the year 1206 AD, Genghis Khan gathered the tribes in a large meeting and formed a political council called “Kurultai”, through which the leaders officially recognized Genghis Khan as the greatest (universal ruler) of the Mongols.

Empire building:

Genghis Khan implemented reforms in the administration of his empire, and established a writing system for the Mongol language through his Uighur Turkic scribes, who relied on the Uighur writing. He issued a legal code called “Yasa,” and formed the “Yam” network, which are rest stops for travelers that enable them to obtain supplies that they need. They need it.

He made rule after him belong to his children and their children. Mongol law only allowed the sons of Genghis Khan’s dynasty to become leaders of the Mongols.

After he established its administrative system, expanded his empire’s control, and divided it among his four sons, namely Jogi Khan, Chagatai Khan, Uqdei Khan, and Tuli Khan, the empire became 4 times larger than the Roman Empire.

The most important historical stations:

1206 AD, until he took complete control of it, and then began to expand his conquests and control globally within a few years, seizing Zhongdu, the capital of the Chinese Jin dynasty in 1215, and the Tangut Empire as well.

Then he turned to the Chinese Song dynasty, which was at that time one of the largest and richest dynasties in the region, and in 1219 he reached the North Korea region and pursued the Khitan tribes, then turned his attention west towards Persia.

1206 AD, until he took complete control of it, and then began to expand his conquests and control globally within a few years, seizing Zhongdu, the capital of the Chinese Jin dynasty in 1215, and the Tangut Empire as well.

Then he turned to the Chinese Song dynasty, which was at that time one of the largest and richest dynasties in the region, and in 1219 he reached the North Korea region and pursued the Khitan tribes, then turned his attention west towards Persia.

Eliminate the algorithmic state:

In the year 1206 AD, during which Genghis Khan was able to control all of Mongolia, Muhammad Shah Khiva, the ruler of the Khwarezm Empire, was able to seize Afghanistan, then Samarkand.

Genghis Khan wanted to establish trade relations with the Khwarezmians, so he sent messengers to them, but they were killed after one of the Khwarazmian princes thought they were spies, which ignited the fuse of fighting between the two parties. Genghis Khan immediately embarked on his invasion campaign of the Khwarezmian state, which did not end until the year 1231.

Genghis Khan set out with an army of 100,000, and was able to seize the cities of Bukhara and Samarkand. At the beginning of 1221, he reached northern Afghanistan, and a year later he raided a Russian army in Kalka.

After his death in 1227, his third son, Ogedei Khan, assumed the rule of the Mongols, and became the “Great Khan”, but he died after only two years and was succeeded by his son, Geok Khan, while Tuli Khan ruled Khorasan and set his sights on expanding to Iraq and Diyarbakir, and Jogi Khan, the eldest son, ruled the Caucasus and the lands of Russia, which later became the Khanate of the Golden Horde.

Tully was able to expand and extend his control over all Persian lands until he reached the borders of Iraq, but he died in 1229, and passed power to his eldest son Mongke, who attacked Baghdad and the rest of the Islamic countries with the persuasion of his younger brother Hulagu.

When Baraka Khan, Jogi's second son, learned that Hulagu was inciting his brother to attack Baghdad, he persuaded his older brother Batu to intervene and convince Mongke (who was appointed Grand Khan after Geok in 1251) to stop the war on Baghdad, until he was able to do so.

What helped Baraka Khan convince his brother to ease the war on the Muslims was their father’s captive wife, Risala bint Ala al-Din Khwarazm Shah, who was captured by Joji after his war on the Khwarezm state, and he married her by force. She had a great influence on the souls of his children, which was a reason for their sympathy for the Muslims.

In the next article, we will talk about Baraka Khan’s conversion to Islam and how that was a good sign for Muslims who were exhausted by wars with the Mongols.