Genghis Khan’s Complex Legacy

Genghis Khan, born Temujin, emerged from the Mongolian steppes in the early 13th

century and established the largest contiguous land empire in history. He unified Mongol tribes through military

organization, legal reforms, and strategic warfare. His campaigns resulted in the destruction

of major cities, including Bukhara, Samarkand, and Nishapur, causing widespread

civilian casualties. Scholars estimate that Mongol conquests contributed to the deaths of millions

across Eurasia. At the same time, his rule facilitated trade, communication,

and cultural exchange along the Silk Road. Genghis Khan’s legacy remains complex, combining large-scale

violence with long-term geopolitical transformation.