The Secret History of

the Mongols

Mike Van Vlack

Northland College-World History to 1500 CE

12/12/2009
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction—The Mongol Empire ................................................................................................ 1

Secret History—Chinggis Khan’s Ancestry ................................................................................... 2

Secret History—Chinggis Khan’s Birth ......................................................................................... 2

Secret History—Hunting ................................................................................................................ 3

Secret History—Reflection ............................................................................................................. 3

Works Cited .................................................................................................................................... 5

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INTRODUCTION—THE MONGOL EMPIRE

I
ndividualistic views about Mongols would be ruthless barbarians, savages, murderers,

and rapists who managed to conquer and form the largest empire of terrestrial property

known. Chinggis Khan named the Universal Ruler was the earliest leader of the Mongol tribes

was born around 1162 CE by Mongol tradition. His greatest accomplishment, the unionization

of the Mongol tribe—not an easy task—converted them into one alliance. Upon Chinggis

Khan’s death in 1227, his greatest legacies were tolerance, written language, trade and crafts, and

legal code. His son Ögödei ruled for a short period (1229-1241) expanding the empire into

Central Asia and Russia. Khubilai Khan, Chinggis Khan’s grandson and successor to the

Mongol Empire patronized painting, theater, various religions, agriculture, administrative

government, trade and crafts. Failed navel attempts in 1274 then 1282 against Japan and in

1292-1293 against Java contributed to the breakdown of Mongol influence in 1368.

The Mongols influence overall was viewed by scholars as destructive in terms of

violence and heritage, eventually ending the basic Chinese Civil Service Examination until 1315

and was never the same. Life in China after the Mongol Empire left one question “Why?”

Shortly after Chinggis Khan’s death, family members began collecting information about his

heritage resulting in a sensible fictional yet truthful document called The Secret History of The

Mongols. Beside fear, this document helps historians create theories about how “Khan”

ideologies helped created innovative tactics to conquer vast lands. Outnumbered by many

enemies, more like victims—the Mongols were able to diversify using conquered troops and still

make allies.

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SECRET HISTORY—CHINGGIS KHAN’S ANCESTRY

T he Secret History of the Mongols, fiction or not is evidence as to the origin of

Chinggis Khan’s ancestry beginning with the birth of Batačiqan. A little while later

the family’s recorded lineage centers on twin brothers named Duua Soqor (the one eyed) and

Dobun Mergen, the younger of the two. Duua met a group of wandering people, of which he

requested a wife for Dobun. He married Alan ro'a who gave birth to two sons named Bügünütei

and Belgünütei. When Duua passed away his four children took the clan name Dörben in

despise of their uncle. Hunting was a typical activity for the Dobun clan, not giving charity to

those who could not survive. After Dobun died, Alan ro'a gave birth two three more sons named

Buyu Qadagi, Buyatu Salji, and Bodončar Mungqay. On her deathbed Alan ro'a gave words of

encouragement to her sons:

"Ye, my five sons, were born of an only belly. If, like the five arrow shafts of a
little while ago, ye be each alone, like those single arrow shafts, [ye] will each
[of you] easily be broken by anyone. If together lye] be of one purpose like
those arrow shafts bound in a bundle, how will ye easily be [broken] by
anyone?" (Cleaves, p. 5—22)

After Alan ro’a died four of the five brothers divided up the property leaving Bodončar

with nothing.

SECRET HISTORY—CHINGGIS KHAN’S BIRTH

H
aving nothing Bodončar ventured out on his own eventually having children

contributing to the bloodlines that lead to the birth of Chinggis Khan, one of four

brothers and one sister. At birth, Chinggis was said to be holding “a clot of blood in his right

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hand the size of a knucklebone; bestowing him the name Tamüjin” (Cleaves, p. 14—59) the

name of a defeated Tater leader.” His father Yesligei claimed, “We Unggirad people from days

of old, having [for us] the comeliness of the daughters of [our] daughters…” (Cleaves, p. 15—

64). This is a great contribution of wisdom for future heir’s sons and daughters alike.

SECRET HISTORY—HUNTING

H
unting was a very important part of any nomadic tribe, a customary representation in

the first chapter of The Secret History of the Mongols. Charity came with a price even

for a blind man who gave his son to Dobun for a piece of venison; chances are the disabled

individual did not live long after that. The Mongols took pride in hunting “…it was originally

designed as warfare training.” (Columbia University, 2009) Khubilai Khan, grandson of

Chinggis Khan was an active hunter and overweight as well, Marco Polo said, “…a horse could

not sustain his weight,” (Columbia University, 2009) requiring elephants to carry the hunters.

Khubilai enjoyed the wild game prepared by cooks for him and his wives during these

expeditions. His obesity indicates stress levels were likely high at this time, leading to poor

military decisions.

SECRET HISTORY—REFLECTION

T
he Mongols invented ideologies for territorial expansion from nomadic daily life that

was more complicated than one would believe. They would key on survival of the

younger individuals versus those who could not keep up, like the blind man. A Clan or family

had children to take care of and many would adopt some along the way believing that strength is

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in numbers (e.g. one arrow shaft is easier to break than five are). Hunting was a priority to the

clan, they would develop stalk, drive, and wait tactics that were used in warfare. The Mongols

convincingly feared and insistent when integrating with other civilizations bringing destruction

to those not liked. By nature, they were very quick learners, able to handle complicated

commercial activities over a vast area. The Muslims—who were active mariner traders—served

the Mongols as tax collectors and administrators for expansion of the empire. Khubilai Khan

discovered the finer side of life, enjoying numerous wives, well guided hunting expeditions, fine

arts, and of course fine food. Losing sight of an ancestral lifestyle resulted from developments in

western cultures, lead to poor judgment from a lax lifestyle. The fall of the Mongol Empire

followed two Typhoons that thrashed planned invasions of Japan, had they succeeded very few

inhabitants would have survived. Today many people do not realize they have Mongol ancestors

who are not nomadic by any means. Queen Elizabeth II the longest reigning monarch of Britain

and “descendant of Chinggis Khan” (Ancient Ancestors, 2009) must believe daughters will

charm.

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WORKS CITED
Ancient Ancestors. (2009, December 9). Queen Elizabeth II: her putative descent from Jenkiz
Khan. Retrieved December 8, 2009, from Elizabeth:
http://members.pcug.org.au/~ronwells/Elizabeth.htm

Cleaves, F. W. (1982). The Secret History of the Mongols. Cambridge, London: Harvard
University Press.

Columbia University. (2009, December 9). The Mongols in World History. Retrieved December
7, 2009, from Asian Topics in World History | Columbia University:
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/main/transcript.pdf

Columbia University. (2009, December 8). The Mongols Past and Present. Retrieved December
8, 2009, from World History Online: Columbia University:
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/pop/khubilai/images_kk.htm

Columbia University. (2009, December 8). World History Online: Columbia University.
Retrieved December 8, 2009, from Mongols, Past and Present:
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/pop/khubilai/images_kk.htm

Schue, P. (2009, December). World History to 1500. Notes from Class Room Lectures.

Digitally signed by Edwin L M

Van Vlack III
DN: cn=Edwin L M Van Vlack III,
o=Personal, ou=1,
email=mikevanvlack@hotmail.c
om, c=US
Date: 2009.12.12 09:19:37 -06'00'

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