Jamukha Gurkhan

Jamukha Gurkhan ( Mongolian Жамуха Гүр Хаан Schamucha Gür Chaan ; † 1204 ) was the blood brother of Temüdschins, later Genghis Khan .

youth

Jamukha was the son of Khan Kara Khadahan , the chief of the Jajirat . He was living as an orphan with relatives who were staying with the Taichuts when he met ten-year-old Temüdschin at the age of 13 near the Onon source. Temüdschin went hunting there with his half-brother Bekter and allegedly Jamukha saved Temüdschin when Bekter tried to kill him from behind.

Rivalry and enmity with Genghis Khan (1187–1201)

Around 1187 Jamukha opposed Temüdschin, because he was jealous of its successes. Temüdschin had meanwhile been elected Khan of all Mongols by the tribes and had received the name Genghis Khan from them. In addition, Jamukha lost his two children very early, while Temüdschin had already started a large family.

Jamukha wanted to gain control over the Mongols himself and began to openly patronize Temüdschin in his role of "older brother". Before the war against the Taichuten (1190) Temüdschin turned away from Jamukha and soon took action directly against him.

1197 was a horse theft in which Jamukha's cousin Taychar was killed, the occasion for a battle between Temüdschin and Jamukha near Dalan Galjuta . Both commanded 30,000 fighters from 13 tribes each. The troops of Genghis Khan were defeated by Jamukha and retreated to the Onon. Jamukha executed all prisoners and beheaded his former friend Chaghagan Uwa , the chief of the Chino. After the battle, he made it his goal to defeat Genghis Khan once and for all.

Jamukha as Mongolian counter-Khan (1201–1204)

Nevertheless, Jamukha Dschingis Khan promised in the summer of 1201 to support him in the fight against the Naimans : Mongols, Keraiten and Jajirat moved beyond the Altai . Before the decisive battle, Jajirat and Keraiten withdrew and left the Mongols alone, so that Genghis Khan turned away from Jamukha again.

In the fall of 1201, Genghis Khan's opponents met in the Jamukhas camp. This secret meeting at the Olchi spring was attended by 13 tribal princes: In addition to the Jajirat and the northern Tatars , the Khatakin , Saldjut , Dörben , Unggirat , Oirat , Guchluk-Naimanen , Khorola, Merkiten , Taichiuten and Naimanen also took part. The 13 tribal princes unanimously voted Jamukha Gurkhan and symbolically placed him above Genghis Khan. This alliance of convenience was short-lived, however, as most of the tribes had submitted to Genghis Khan as early as 1204.

The chief of the Khorola betrayed the alliance after a short time. He was Genghis Khan's brother-in-law and let him know of the election. Genghis Khan wanted to exploit the uncertainty of the alliance for a military counter-attack. In the ensuing battle in the Kolen Lake Plain, Jamukha and his allies were defeated by Genghis Khan. Jamukha then withdrew to the Naimans, while Genghis Khan turned to the fight against the Taichut.

In 1203 the Keraiten teamed up again with Jamukha Gurkhan to attack Genghis Khan. Jamukha received military command from Toghril Khan . Again Jamukha was defeated and fled to the Naiman kingdom. There he began to incite its ruler, Baibukha Tayang , against Genghis Khan. In the following war, however, he was defeated again.

death

After the victory of Genghis Khan, Jamukha was captured. Jamukha asked for an honorable death, which the Khan granted him. Jamukha was killed by breaking his spine.

literature

• Hans Leicht (Ed.): Genghis Khan. Conqueror, tribal chief, thought leader. Albatros, Düsseldorf 2002, ISBN 3-491-96050-9 .