A Man who Met (and angered) Chinggis Khan

We have only a few accounts from individuals who personally met with Mongol Emperor Chinggis Khan. Today we share one of them, the tale of a Qadi who fell into Mongols hands at Herat during the Mongol invasion of the Khwarezmiean Empire, and wound up in the court of Chinggis Khan (as told by Juzjani).
Qiu Chuji: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nanKfJWveat0g5I
Video on Qiu Chuji I wrote for Kings and Generals: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4qlkmlspNScf9E
DONATIONS:
Patreon: www.patreon.com/jackmeister
Paypal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/thejackmeister?locale.x=en_US
Facebook: TheJackmeister/
Instagram: the_jackmeister_mongol_history
PRIMARY SOURCES
Minhāj-ud-Din [Juzjani]. Ṭabaḳāt-i-Nāṣirï: A General History of the Muhammadan Dynasties of
Asia, Including Hindustan; from A.H. 194 (810 A.D.) to A.H. 658 (1260 A.D) and the Irruption of the Infidel Mughals Into Islam. Translated by Major H.G. Raverty. Volume II. New Delhi: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation, 1970 (1881).
SECONDARY LITERATURE
Simon Berger. “Chinggis Khan Defeated: Plano Carpini, Jūzjānī, and the Symbolic Origins of the Mongol Empire.” Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Series 3, 31 no. 1 (2021): 71-102
Jawan Shir Rasikh. “The many lives of a medieval Muslim scholar: An introduction to the life and times of Minhaj Siraj al-Din Juzjani, 1193-1260 CE.” Afghanistan 3 no. 2 (2020): 111-134.
MUSIC ATTRIBUTES:
“Throat singing- Tuvan Chylandyk style,” Giovanni Bortoluzzi / CC BY-SA (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Throat_singing_-_Tuvan_Chylandyk_style.ogg
“Overtone Singing- Tuvan Sygyt,” Giovanni Bortoluzzi / CC BY-SA (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Overtone_singing_-_Tuvan_Sygyt.ogg
“Dimash-Kudaibergen- Adai-küy,” Unknown author / CC BY-SA (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dimash-Kudaibergen_-_Adai-k%C3%BCy.wav
“Undertone singing,” Cassa342 / CC BY-SA (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Undertone_singing.ogg
The other music is provided by Epidemic Sound. www.epidemicsound.com
#mongolempire #genghiskhan #mongolempiredocumentary

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

The story of Qadi Wahid al-Din Bushanji, as told by Juzjani (and translated by Raverty, vol. II, pg. 1039-1040) "In the disaster of Herat I was present in that city; and, every day, in conjunction with the Ghazis, its defenders, I used to don arms and armour, and proceed to the top of the ramparts, and view the multitude of the forces. One day I was at the top of the ramparts of the city of Herat while the fight tumult was going on, in full panoply, with helmet and cuirass, besides other things, when, suddenly, I missed my footing from the top of the walls, and fell down towards the ditch, and, like unto a stone or a ball, I went rolling down the face of the khāk-rez [artificial mound surrounding Herat], whilst 50,000 men, Mughals and Musalman [Mongols and Muslim] renegades, with arrows fitted to their bows, and with stones, were aiming at me, until, rolling over and over, I fell into the midst of the infidels, and was made prisoner by a body of men who, in making the attack, had come to the foot of the parapet, and the face of the khāk-rez, and descended into the ditch. This mischange happened to me at a point facing which [Tolui], son of the Chingiz Khan [Juzjani always refers to Chinggis as the "accuresed one," and his name as a title], had had a tent pitched, at the edge of the ditch, and the Mughal troops were fighting under his personal observation. Although I came rolling down the face of the khāk-rez a distance of about twenty gaz [ells] [60 feet?], until I descended into the abyss of the ditch, which was forty gaz [120 feet?] more, Almighty 1040- God shielded me under his protection so that I experienced no wound, neither did any of my members sustain any hurt or fracture whatever. “When I came to the ground [Tolui] caused a party to run up with speed, telling them: “Bring ye that person alive, and do not harm in the least.” When, in accordance with that command, they conducted me to the presence of [Tolui], he looked at me searchingly, and gave to them, saying: “See whether he any hurt;” and , as there was none, he said to me: “What person art thou- of the race of Adam, or a pari, a demon, or an angel, or dost thou hold a charm bearing the names of the Ulugh Tingri? Speak truly, how it is.” I bowed my face to the ground and replied: “I am an unfortunate man of the learned class, and one of those who blesses or prays; but I had one thing with me.” He said, “what hadst thou with thee?” I bowed my head to the ground, and replied: “the sight of a sovereign like thee had fallen upon me, and through the felicity thereof, I remained in safety.” This reply was favourably received by [Tolui], and he looked upon me with favourable eyes, and remarked, saying: “This person is a sagacious man, and a wise, and may be qualified for the service of the Chingiz Khan. It is necessary that ye take care of him in order that he may be conducted to his presence.” And he commanded so that they made me over to the care of one of the respected Mughals. After [Tolui] had completed the conquest of the cities and conquests of Khursan, he took me along with him to the Chingiz Khan’s presence [at Talkan, see page 1008, note 5] and related my story [to him], and in the Chingiz Khan’s service I found great favour. I was constantly in attendance at his threshold, and he used continually to inquire of me the traditions of the prophets, and concerning the sovereigns of ‘Ajam [Iran], and the kings of the past; and would inquire: “Did Muhammad (on whom be peace!), foretell aught respecting my rise and sway?” I used to relate to him the traditions [of the Prophet] which they have related respecting the irruption of the Turk; and he used to say: “My heart bears evidence that thou speakest the truth.” Until one day, during conversation, he said to me: “A mighty name will remain behind me in the world through taking vengeance upon Muhammad, the Aghri” - that is to say, he used to called Sultan Muhammad, Khwarezm Shah, by this term, and, in the Turki language, aghri signifies a robber- and this expression he would greatly make use of and say: - “Khwarezm Shah was not a monarch: he was a robber. Had he been a monarch he would not have slain my envoys and traders who had come to Utrar, for kings should not slay ambassadors.” In short, when he inquired of me, “will not a mighty name remain behind me?” I bowed my face to the ground, and said: “If the Khan will promise the safety of my life, I will make a remark.: He replied: “I have promised thee its security.” I said: A name continues to endure where there are people, but how will a name endure when the Khan’s servants martyr all the people and massacre them, for who will remain to tell the tale?” When I finished this sentence, the Chingiz Khan dashed the bow and arrow which he had in his hand upon the ground, and became exceedingly enraged, and turned his face away from me, and his back towards me. When I beheld the effects of rage upon his impious brow, I washed my hands of life, and gave up all hope of existence. I made sure to myself that the time of my departure was come, and that I should leave the world from the blow of the sword of this accursed one. “After a minute had passed away, he turned his face towards me again, and said: “I used to consider thee a sagacious and prudent man, but, from this speech of thine, “it has become evident to me that thou dost not possess complete understanding, and that they comprehension is but small. There are many kings in the world, and, wherever the hoofs of the horses of Muhammad, the Aghri, have reached, there I will carry slaughter and cause devastation. The remaining people who are in other parts of the world, and the sovereigns of other kingdoms that are, they will relate my history.” No favour on the part of the Chingiz Khan remained to me, and it came about that I was distant from his presence; and I fled from the Mughal army, and made my escape, and returned thanks and praise unto Almighty God for the same.”

[@zeynepolgun4313]

Honey wake up the new Jackmeister video just dropped.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

You're goddamn right

[@KaylDunnyan]

* Future wife goals* 😂

[@PatrickFitzgerald..]

A Viking dude telling mongol history this channel deserve 1M subs

[@PatrickFitzgerald..]

New subscriber here I am crazy about Genghis Khan and mongol history I am glad I found this channel

[@stevapalooza1]

Great work! And yeah, I agree the story sounds very plausible. It makes Genghis sound a little bloodthirsty, but the Mongol attitude toward revenge WAS bloodthirsty. Nothing less than total annihilation of the enemy was acceptable. It was also a sacred duty to them. So yeah, Genghis would've definitely scoffed at the idea of just giving it up. Smart of the qadi to take off when he did. I probably would've too.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I think from the Mongols' view, they were seeing this as a perfectly legitimate campaign of revenge (or at least, Chinggis could personally justify it as such). This is still early-on in the conquests, before the dream of World-Conquest had really manifested. At the very least, I don't suppose many of Chinggis' advisers had really said anything amounting to "this campaign is a bad idea." I'd imagine (assuming of course, the Qadi and Juzjani are recounting things fully accurately) that it would have been somewhat of a shock for Chinggis to be so openly rebuked by an adviser regarding the actual legitimacy of his actions (even if they reflected an actual fear of the time!)

[@samwill7259]

Of all the peoples you wouldn't want to piss off, it'd be the culture that burned down persia for a diplomatic snafu.

[@jacobedgar2724]

Great video! I love how now there are so many illustrations, and they give you a very good ancient feeling. Keep doing videos!

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Thank you, I'll try!

[@stefanomagaddino6868]

Great work Jackmeister ! I am in awe of your command of this subject.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

You're very kind, thank you!

[@mericanwit]

Way to go with bringing us content👍

[@lev7053]

All respect to the Quadi, who in the face of certain death, dared to stand his ground against Chinggis.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Definitely a man who was very lucky. I could not find if there is any information as to his final fate.

[@ramibairi5562]

Excellent video ! Looking forward to see a video on Mongol heavy cavalry in battle

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I hope to have that recorded sometime in December, if everything goes to plan!

[@ramibairi5562]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory Best of luck bro :) keep posting the good content

[@superfly19751]

Always a pleasure listening

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Thank you, I am glad you thought so!

[@Mongolian.Script]

Nice 👍

[@josephphoenix1376]

Excellent Episode 👍 I,d love to have such an episode on Atilla the Hun!🤔

[@oslonorway547]

Can you make a video of what the Mongols knew of the rest of the world which they'd not yet conquered? Like, did they know of the UK and Iberian lands, the Americas, Africa, Antarctica?

[@steffanyschwartz7801]

They most definitely did not know of America. They did know of the rest of Siberia (the ice parts like Kamchatka) along with the majority of europe. Mainly due to the Ilkhanate sending ambassadors all over Europe to launch a crusade against the Mamluks.

[@Condoctuc]

America? You serious? They invaded Poland but that’s as far west as they got, they definitely knew about France and england though, the French and other western kingdoms frequently sent envoys to him, he was seen as a force against the Muslims in a time of crusades

[@steffanyschwartz7801]

@@Condoctuc yes due to the Ilkhanate and the duchy of Novgorod they knew of all Europe except Iceland

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Very good question. Mongol envoys made their way to England and most major European powers, and were fairly well-aware of the political layout of Europe (enough that Batu gave a rating as to the power of the European Monarchs. He rated the King of France first). I don't know about Iceland, but I have been told (though not seen it myself) that there is an Icelandic source that mentions the Mongols. But it's something I'd be happy to do if I got time. Stephen Pow has a good article about the Mongols' northern border, there's another article detailing their attacks on Sakhalin Island, and I think Christopher Atwood has an article which talks about the Kamchatka evidence. "How the Mongols viewed the World," would be very interesting video if I get time for it...

[@steffanyschwartz7801]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory I would definitely agree with Batu in that regard. France was starting to centralized and if gathered in full force could bring a Chinese sized army

[@simonbolivar6960]

Jackmeister, if you were to be transported to 1220's court of the Khan with an absolute understanding of their tongue as if it were your mother tongue. With all the knowledge you have gathered in all these years of studying the mongol and tatar lore. Do you think you could survive and become an asset to the Khan? Or like the Qadi in the story would you end up fleeing, trying your luck at the european courts (and not being listened to) and islamic courts?

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Hah, good question! I think knowing both the Mongol language and how to write it would be my best bet. I'd take my chances with the Mongol court rather than try and turn any rival power into an anti-Mongol force, since that's unlikely to work. I think my best chances are ending up getting assigned to be a tutor to some minor Mongol prince, and maybe if I am fortunate, he boosts my career into getting noticed by the khan. Probably if I could learn how to do some sort of "diviniation" (like throwing sheep shoulder blades into a fire and pretending I can read the cracks) would be the best way to showcase my use. Don't want to look like I'm just a witch who knows the future, have to be able to interpret it (so that way if I get something wrong or misremember it, I can blame it on the spirits or the divinization going wonky, rather than it being entirely my fault)

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Best case scenario is likely I end up among officials killed during a purge in the 1240s

[@JavierMartinez-iu9rg]

Amazing video Jack. I have a question for you. Who is the best Mongolian general for you? and why?

[@singhizhem]

Can you do a video of first hand accounts of all the physical characteristics and personalities of Mongols? Why are there so few physical descriptions of Ghengis but tons of Alexander the Great? What where the personalities of the Ghengis’s Generals? There was a rumor that Ghengis Khan had blue eyes with red hair. Apparently, this trait does occur. Is there any proof this fit Ghengis? Did any of his sons have this trait?

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

This red hair/physical description stuff relating to Chinggis is literally the next video. I'm hopeful getting it written today, in fact. I've tracked, as far as I can tell, every primary source that describes his appearance... let's just say red hair is off the table

[@Condoctuc]

Very interesting video- I’m always learning new things about the mongols despite reading/listening to several books and many hours on KZbin. Could you make a video on Timur? He seems to be as much or even more brutal than Genghis

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Thanks, Obama

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I would dearly like to do more on Temur, but realistically I probably won't find time to do much on him any time soon. I wrote a few videos on Temur for Kings and Generals, and we have spoken about doing a podcast series on Temur at some point, so if that ever happens then I will do some videos on the Timurids too.

[@simonbolivar6960]

Temur's tale is crazy, he is defeated time and time again and is not until late in his life where he starts to achiev things. Would love to get a nice jackmeister podcast about it. Lets cross our fingers

[@Condoctuc]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory wow that was you? That’s how I got into learning about Timurs existence since Genghis and his sons overshadow everything else about the mongols and the subsequent cultures and combined peoples they created. Fascinating age

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Yes, I wrote the three parts of the Temur series. But there's a few things I'd change now. I have gotten access to better sources since then, so I'd rewrite a few sections. But the entire Toqtamish-war and sack of Delhi scripts had been one script originally (since KnG at first only wanted two videos on him). After they'd been recorded the first time, they decided to make it into three-parts, which meant I had to (somewhat) awkwardly turn one big-script into two more scripts, while being unable to change things I'd already written (as they had been recorded already). It worked out fine in the end, but it wasn't quite the intended vision I had. So I definitely would enjoy getting another crack at it to do it properly this time.

[@Conrad496]

great,pls can u do video about keraits

[@Shirkinbai]

I was interested in two words in this video, one uttered by Tului Khan, the word "Ulug Tangri," and the other uttered by Genghis Khan, "Aghri." Were these words really spoken by Tolui Khan and Genghis Khan? From myself, I want to add only the translation of these words. These are Turkic words: "Ulug Tengri" means "Great and powerful God", and the word "Aghri" means "thief". The Kashgari dictionary also gives the same translations of these words. Only in the Kashgari dictionary is a more correct pronunciation of the word "Agri" given, as "Ughri is a thief."

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I am always very hesitant that any quote in a medieval source represents someone's exact words. In this case, we have to look at the route of transmission (assuming that Juzjani is fully accurate). The event in 1221: Chinggis Khan and Tolui --> interpreters --> the Qadi 1225: Qadi tells it to Juzjani (and we are assuming they did not require an interpreter to discuss this) Late 1250s: Juzjani writes this material down in Delhi. We do not know if he kept notes or recalled this directly from memory. In best case scenario, this is multiple layers and years in between the actual event and when it was recorded. Additionally, we have to remember the genre and audience that Juzjani is writing for. Juzjani was a highly educated Persian writer; he wrote in Persian, and his work was intended to be read by other highly educated, Persian writers of the court in Delhi. This are people who expect many artistic flourishes and references: so while Tolui is unlikely to have been making references to paris or creatures from Islamic/Persian mythology, undoubtedly Juzjani's intended audience would not just understand these references, but also be expecting to see them. Part of the point of these works, was to show off literary skill, and poetic abilities. This is what makes the Jami' al-Tawarikh such a wonderful and distinct work: it was intentionally written to be as accessible as possible (Rashid hoped, allegedly, to have a copy of it in every town of the Ilkhanate). So it was made to be as easy to read, and would not require an extensive education to be understood. This is also why Rashid's work is so influential even in translation, because it translates relatively easily into other languages (unlike parts of Juvaini, Juzjani, and most infamously Wassaf) Back to the question. Most of this dialogue, I think, should be seen as carrying the general idea of what was said, but I wouldn't think of it as literal quotes. Yet I think even with all this said, there is possibility that Chinggis actually said aghri (or ughri, as you say), as Juzjani's text really emphasizes this term, and it seems to be something that really stood out to the Qadi. Juzjani had familiarity with some level of Turkic, as this was the language of the aristocracy and military in the Delhi Sultanate (and Juzjani was quite a high ranking individual there, who spent much time with the Delhi Sultans), and he uses a number of Turkic words throughout the Tabaqat-i Nasiri. We do not know if he was fluent, but it doesn't seem he would have idly used the term, if there was no reason to. Ulugh Tengri/Yeke Tenggeri are used with regularity (and generally interchangebly) in sources and the imperial seals associated with the Mongols. After Tolui died, he was known by the posthumous title of Ulugh Noyan/Yeke Noyan.

[@Shirkinbai]

@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory Thanks for the thorough answer. I did not know that the aristocracy of the Delhi Sultanate was Turkic. It seems to me that the historical role of the Turks in the history of Asia is greatly diminished today. Thanks to Russian historians, today many people imagine that the history of Jochi's Ulus, Chagatai's Ulus, Timur, Babur, and the history of the Great Mughals is the history of the present Khalkha, Kalmyks, and Buryat-Mongols. Today, basically all these people are directly called "Mongols." Although we know from primary sources that these people considered themselves Turks. It's funny when someone from Pakistan declares that he is a Mongol from the Timur clan or from the Borjigon tribe.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Yes, the Delhi Sultans were mainly Qipchaq origin. They had come to India as ghulams/mamluks/slave soldiers with the Ghurids, and after the assassination of the last Ghurid Sultan, his mamluks divided up northern India amongst themselves. The Delhi Sultanate began originally as one of these successor states, before overcoming the rest. The Mongols' pursuit of Jalal al-Din Mingburnu, and Jalal al-Din's own campaigning, dramatically weakened the Delhi Sultanate's rivals, and allowed it become dominant power in North India by the 1230s. Because of this mamluk origin, you will sometimes also see the (first dynasties at least) referred to as the Mamluk Sultanate of Delhi, but this isn't as common as people will confuse them with the Mamluks of Egypt. If you have heard of Razia Sultana, famous as "first female Muslim monarch in India," well she was a daughter of the Delhi Sultan Ilutmish, who was born among the Olberli of the Qipchaqs. So despite modern movies and artwork always showing her looking Indian, she was actually very much Turkic.

[@user-cg2tw8pw7j]

​@@TheJackmeisterMongolHistoryHow can she be Turkish? Does she have small eyes and look like Mongols?

[@graucanal]

Great. Thanks from Brazil. Please give a subs in portuguese. If possible?

[@kevinmurphy5878]

Why is Tolui looking like a reddit moderator 😂

[@catboom6712]

First!

[@henkstersmacro-world]

👍👍👍

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

👍

[@jomkaz]

Thanks for providing us with some evidence about Shyngghys khan and his empire. 1. I am wondering whether you have found evidence on the lanaguage spoken by the great khan and his descendants. 2. In your videos you use turks, tatars and mongols, I am wondering whether you are aware of any differences between them, e.g. in their language, appearence and culture (lifestyle, food, traditions).

[@elshebactm6769]

🤠👍🏿

[@larrywave]

😄👍

[@kaybevang536]

I wonder if Marco Polo and his family had a similar situation

[@acolyte1951]

Qadi was right in a more moralistic field, killing a lot of people in the lands you conquer might in the long run cause your name to fade, and certainly if it remained then it wouldn't be a good name. But the khan probably had something like a 200 iq, or was trying to save face/power in front of the court, when he ardently disagreed with the qadi who he once considered a wise man. It seems like his disagreement may have came more from personal offense rather than reasoning. But either way, the khan, now in hindsight, was absolutely correct that there were enough neighboring realms in the world that would certainly have learned about Genghis khan. Fact is, his name has remained in history at least for now. I assume because the world's civilizations continually developed (in general), and currently now in the 21st/20th century, the rate of his name dramatically increased because of technology and education.

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

I also see the disagreement as a personal one. I imagine Chinggis put some amount of trust or respect in the Qadi, so to be actively rebuked (at a level unusual for these advisers) in this manner probably was unusual for the Khan at this point, and didn't go over well. Not that the Mongols khans never received advice they didn't like; but it was the skill of advisers like Yelu Chucai to know how to phrase it best in a way for the Mongols to understand or see the logic in it. The Qadi didn't quite have that skill

[@specalbearguy6951]

Prince tolui knew of adam and eve ?

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Quite possibly. His wife, Sorqaqtani, was a Christian (Eastern Christian, the so-called Nestorians). But usually it is good to assume these quotes in these stories tend to be made up by the guy who wrote them down (Juzjani in the 1250s) who was conforming to Persian chronicle styles rather than modern journalistic expectations of exact quoting. At best they may reflect the general idea of what Tolui and Chinggis said, but I personally would not assume they represent the actual words.

[@tonlito22]

And nobody died and went straight to hell?

[@TheJackmeisterMongolHistory]

Unusual for a story from Juzjani, I know, but you feel him wanting to add it. Like if you listen to a clip from "Friends" with the audience laughter removed; you can hear it trying to get back in.

[@dexqce864]

Indeed Muhammad the Robber 😂

[@jasongutierrezz]

Tbh for explaining why Mongols were able to conquer China and the Middle East but could not conquer Europe is becus Europeans at the same time were more technological superior to the mangols (hungary already crushed two mongol invasions b4 kublai)

[@eaststorm1282]

huh 😂 Europe was wide open after the Hungarians and the European joint forces along with the mighty knights templars were utterly defeated at the battle of Mohi (en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mohi). the Mongols didn’t go all the way because of the death of the great Khan ( Batu and other princes had to attend the election of the next great Khan).

[@skraskraa._.5371]

China and the Middle east were super rich at that time compared with Europe, and had gunpowder during that time period, making them significantly more technologically advanced than Europe at the time. it was due to the fact that Europe was very far from the Mongol homeland compared to China and the Middle East, combined with the cold and wet climate of Europe that was unfavorable for the Mongol mode of fighting.

[@lawrencedanao7648]

Make more videos bro