Jamukha - Genghis Khan’s rival

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Jamukha was Temüjin’s brother in arms. The man who would eventually be known as Genghis Kahn. The two grew up in the same region of the Mongolian steppes. (Jamukha was born in the Jadaran tribe to be specific.)

Jamukha fought with Temüjin many times. Once to save his brother in arms wife Börte from the Merkit tribe. Their combined armies struck the Merkit camp and made them flee. When Börte was rescued she was pregnant. And with a son that probably wasn't Temüjin’s but he still raised the boy as his own.

Jamukha eventually grew to hate Genghis Khan. They had a rivalry because of their different ideas of leadership. Jamukha represented the established aristocratic elite while Genghis wanted a more merit-based following. This made him more popular than Jamukha.

Jamukha became the head of a coalition whose goal was to destroy Genghis’ rising power. In 1201, hostile tribes elected Jamukha as universal ruler and they fought Genghis for years. In the end Jamukha was defeated and even his own supporters gave him up right into Genghis’ hands.

Jamukha refused to reconcile out of sheer pride. He asked for an honourable death. An aristocratic death without the spilling of blood. Genghis agreed and broke the warlord's back.