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[[Image:Khan.jpg|thumb|right|Genghis Khan]]

[[Image:Khan.jpg|thumb|right|Genghis Khan]]

Genghis Khan (1162 to 1227 A.D.) was the first great military leader of the [[Mongols]], a barbaric nomadic people from Mongolia, and propelled them from obscurity into the great [[Mongol Empire|Empire]].  He was the first of the [[Borjigid dynasty]] of the Mongol empire.  Growing up in a ruthless barren land, Genghis first united the Mongols through military force and then turned Mongol power to external conquest. Genghis dreamed of ruling the largest empire in the world.  This goal was achieved through his descendants.  His battles with [[China]] were extensive and he would count the number of enemy casualties by having his victorious army cut off an ear from the fallen and bringing them back to him.  His powerful army was based on [[meritocracy]].  Historians consider Genghis Khan a military genius.  Genghis' horse armies were able to travel further in a day than any other army until the development of automobiles.<ref>Encyclopedia of Military History, Dupuy & Dupuy, 1979</ref>

'''Genghis Khan''' (1162 to 1227 A.D.) was the first great military leader of the [[Mongols]], a barbaric nomadic people from Mongolia, and propelled them from obscurity into the great [[Mongol Empire|Empire]].  He was the first of the [[Borjigid dynasty]] of the Mongol empire.  Growing up in a ruthless barren land, Genghis first united the Mongols through military force and then turned Mongol power to external conquest. Genghis dreamed of ruling the largest empire in the world.  This goal was achieved through his descendants.  His battles with [[China]] were extensive and he would count the number of enemy casualties by having his victorious army cut off an ear from the fallen and bringing them back to him.  His powerful army was based on [[meritocracy]].  Historians consider Genghis Khan a military genius.  Genghis' horse armies were able to travel further in a day than any other army until the development of automobiles.<ref>Encyclopedia of Military History, Dupuy & Dupuy, 1979</ref>

   

   

He was a tolerant leader in religious matters and did not influence religious practice by his subjects. All he demanded was total obedience in temporal matters. Those who did not obey faced stiff penalties, often execution.

He was a tolerant leader in religious matters and did not influence religious practice by his subjects. All he demanded was total obedience in temporal matters. Those who did not obey faced stiff penalties, often execution.