Everything about Merkit totally explained
The
Merkit,
Merged, or
Mergid (
Merged means "wise ones," "adept ones," "skillful ones," "(skillful) archers," or "hunters"in
Mongolian) were a
Mongol tribe with a fierce
reputation that inhabited southeastern
Siberia during the
Middle Ages. After a long struggle over two decades, the Merkits were defeated and incorporated into the Mongol nation formed by Temüjin (later
Genghis Khan) in the first decade of the 13th century.
They disappear as a separate group after the Mongol unification of 1206, but Merkit descendants may still be found in Mongolia.
Ethnic Relations
The ethnicity of the Merkits is somewhat obscure; most likely they were Mongolic (related to
Mongols,
Naimans,
Keraits, and
Khitan), but it has also been postulated that they're more closely related to Paleo-Asians, such as the
Chukchi, or to
Tungusic peoples, such as the
Manchu and the
Evenks.
Conflict with Genghis Khan
Temüjins mother
Hoelun, originally from the
Olkhunut tribe, had married the Merkit warrior Chiledu around 1160. She was abducted by Temüjins father
Yesugei, while being escorted home by Chiledu.
In turn, Temüjin's new wife
Börte was kidnapped by Merkit
raiders from their campsite by the Onon river around 1184 and given to one of their warriors. Temüjin, supported by his blood brother
Jamuga and his foster-father
Toghril, the Khan of the Keraits, attacked the Merkit and rescued Börte within the year. The Merkit were dispersed after this attack. Shortly thereafter she gave birth to a son named
Jochi. Temüjin accepted paternity but the question kept lingering over Jochi's life.
Those incidents resulted in a strong animosity between Temüjin and his family and the Merkits. Over the following two decades, he attacked them several times. By the time he'd united the other Mongol tribes and was given the title "Genghis Khan" in 1206, the Merkit seem to have disappeared as a separate ethnic group. Those who survived were most likely absorbed by other Mongol tribes.
Further Information
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