Although Esugei-Bagatur, Genghis Khan’s father, did not live a long life, he had seven children from two wives — six boys and one girl. And if the fate of the eldest of them is known to all lovers of history without exception, the rest of the relatives of the first Mongolian great khan few people know.
As representatives of a sort Borjiginov, they were considered members of a ruling clan, were rich, owned the grounds and exhibited considerable army. Nevertheless, Genghis Khan’s relatives, as their descendants, had no right to power in the Mongol states. Only his own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were considered heirs.
The Borjigins had princely titles and were forced to obey the representatives of the Genghisid dynasty, and most of them laid down their heads during the punitive actions of the Chinese and civil wars. But in the 16th century Tolui’s descendant Dayan-khan united Mongolia again and fathered his own children, and his younger offspring were removed from the succession.
So, most of the modern bearers of the surname, to which the shaker of the universe belonged, come not from his brothers and only sister, but from the true Genghisid Dayan-khan.
But this is not the subject of our conversation today. We will discuss another question: what became of the children of the Mongol ruler Yesugei?
As has already been said, this man had two wives. And the one of them, whose name was Sochikhel, got to Esugei BEFORE he took Oelun from a noble Merkit. Therefore her first-born son named Bekter, in all probability, was a little older than Temujin. When the head of the family was poisoned by the Tatars, his henchmen abandoned his widows and children, taking all the cattle with them. Then his relatives were forced to hide in the Hentei Mountains in the upper reaches of the Onon River, where they lived for several years by hunting and gathering.
Although Yesugei’s widows lived amicably, their eldest sons often came into conflict. Fourteen-year-old Bekter took away the prey from his half-brother, and the latter waited for an opportunity to get even. When his rival was sitting and watching horses grazing, Temudgin and Khasar crept up to him with bows. The young man saw them and obediently decided to accept his fate, but asked to preserve the life of his younger brother. Oelun scolded her firstborn sternly at the time, but the moral atmosphere in the family has improved since then.
True to his word, Temujin did not touch Belgutei, the second son of Yesugei, who was born to Sochikhel. As a result, the latter became his loyal associate, and when he grew up he was appointed one of his senior commanders. Many of the victories which were won by the Mongols before the foundation of a united empire are due to this man.
Belgutei was a strong and large man, and with his brother’s blessing, he broke the neck of the famous fighter Buri-boko during a wrestling contest, who was considered a potential traitor. Also, Genghis Khan’s brother often became a trusted envoy negotiating with other tribes.
After the decisive battle with the Tatars, Belgutey foolishly revealed that the Borjigins had decided to get rid of all adult captives. Thus, they were warned and sold their lives dearly. Belgutey was then excluded from family councils, and was invited to them only after the participants had discussed all important matters.
After the proclamation of the Mongol Empire, this prince received at his disposal 1,500 men — fewer than other members of the family. Nevertheless, he took the position of senior judge in the state and remained in it for a long time. He outlived all his brothers and sisters, and died in 1255 at the age of over 90 years.
All other children of Yesugei, as well as Temujin, were by Oelun, who was considered the chief wife, though she came to her husband after Sochichael. Jochi Khasar or simply Khasar, together with his elder brother, took part in the murder of Bekter and later became a confidant under Genghis Khan.
Khasar was sent to a false message to Van-khan that the Mongols were ready to surrender to their victorious Kereites. Those went in pursuit, but were ambushed and defeated by Temujin, who asked his brother to feign treachery. Subsequently, Hasar conquered Manchuria and part of Korea and obtained lands there.
Although he was given a relatively small allotment when the empire was proclaimed, this man became the only one of the younger Borjigin whose children and grandchildren were considered tsarevitch along with the Genghisids. Thus, they had the right to claim khan’s power — if they had forces and supporters, of course. Subsequently, his descendants became khans of Tabaristan at the collapse of the Chagatai Khanate, and in the 14th century claimed the supreme power in the state of Hulaguids.
The third eldest son Hachiun probably had the closest relations with Temujin. He participated in his conquests, but from a certain time he ceased to be mentioned in historical sources. He is believed to have passed away quite early, but his descendants took part in the western campaign of the Mongols and were influential enough to argue with Batyi himself.
The youngest of Temuge’s sons was a bit spoiled by his brothers, but later became an intelligent man and a brave warrior. Nevertheless, he was not very warlike, for which he received criticism from his brother. According to Mongolian traditions, the youngest was supposed to stay with his parents and take care of them in their old age. Therefore, Temuge, together with his mother Oelun, lived in Mongolia and was considered its viceroy. In addition, he was appointed the chief treasurer of the empire.
After the death of his nephew Ugedei, the second great khan, he sought to take his post himself, but failed to seize power. As a result, Temuge by the consent of all Borjigin was sentenced to execution after the successful completion of the western campaign.
Tesugei’s only daughter Temulun was given a name that means «iron». This was probably done in order to deceive the spirits and symbolically strengthen her health, as she was a sickly girl. At the age of fourteen or fifteen she was given in marriage to her maternal uncle Butu, who became a faithful associate of Genghis Khan. But they had no children, and Temulun passed away at the age of 32.