3.1. Introduction

In the early decades of the thirteenth century the great empires of the Euro-Asian continent realised the dangers posed to them by the arrival of a new political power in the steppes of Central Asia: Genghis Khan (d. 1227) had united the Mongol people. Genghis Khan’s political vision, however, went far beyond the creation of a confederacy of Mongol tribes in the steppes of Central Asia: he had a mandate from God to rule the world.

During the early 1200s, Genghis Khan emerged as a significant threat to established empires by uniting the Mongol tribes. His ambitions extended beyond local unification; he aspired for global dominance, believing he had divine approval for this mission. This sets the stage for understanding his later conquests.

Think of Genghis Khan as a charismatic leader of a sports team that takes the field with a vision of not only winning the game but aiming to become champions against all odds. He gathers players from different backgrounds, instilling a sense of common purpose and drive towards achieving something greater.

Even though his own lifetime was spent consolidating his hold over the Mongol tribes, leading and directing campaigns into adjoining areas in north China, Transoxiana, Afghanistan, eastern Iran and the Russian steppes, his descendants travelled further afield to fulfil Genghis Khan’s vision and create the largest empire the world had ever seen.

While Genghis Khan focused on uniting and consolidating the Mongol tribes during his life, his descendants expanded the empire further than he could personally achieve. They launched campaigns across vast territories, including regions like China and Persia, ultimately forming an extensive empire that was unprecedented in size.

Imagine building a small community garden where you grow vegetables. Once the foundation is strong and healthy, your friends and their families join in, each contributing ideas and resources, expanding the garden into a large farm that feeds the neighborhood.

It was in the spirit of Genghis Khan’s ideals that his grandson Mongke (1251-60) warned the French ruler, Louis IX (1226-70): ‘In Heaven there is only one Eternal Sky, on Earth there is only one Lord, Genghis Khan, the Son of Heaven…’

Mongke Khan expressed the belief that Genghis Khan was divinely sanctioned to rule over all, suggesting that the Mongol Empire was seen not just as a political entity but as a power granted by a higher authority. This ideology reinforced loyalty among followers and justified their conquests.

Picture a national leader who invokes a sense of destiny and divine purpose when rallying their country. By framing their leadership as a mission sanctioned by a higher power, they inspire people to unite and pursue ambitious goals, feeling it's a matter of fulfilling a greater calling.

These were not empty threats and the 1236-41 campaigns of Batu, another grandson of Genghis Khan, devastated Russian lands up to Moscow, seized Poland and Hungary and camped outside Vienna.

Batu Khan, another inheritor of Genghis Khan's legacy, led campaigns that were highly destructive, illustrating the military prowess and strategic effectiveness of the Mongol forces. These successful invasions emphasized the Mongols' ability to overcome large established kingdoms in their quest for conquest.

Similar to how a sports team can convincingly defeat rival teams in a tournament, showcasing their skill and teamwork, the Mongols demonstrated their superior tactics and discipline by defeating established armies, transforming their reputation from mere raiders to formidable conquerors.

In the thirteenth century it did seem that the Eternal Sky was on the side of the Mongols and many parts of China, the Middle East and Europe saw in Genghis Khan’s conquests of the inhabited world the ‘wrath of God’, the beginning of the Day of Judgement.

Genghis Khan's military successes were perceived by many as divine retribution, reinforcing the idea that the Mongols were fated to conquer. This belief not only solidified the legitimacy of his rule but also created fear and awe among the people of the regions they invaded, portraying the Mongols as agents of fate.

This phenomenon can be likened to a natural disaster such as a fierce storm or earthquake, where people attribute such events to divine anger or fate. The devastation seen can evoke fear, changing individuals' perceptions of power and the overarching forces at play in their lives.

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