20 Facts About Jebe

Jebe was one of the most prominent Noyans of Genghis Khan.

Jebe belonged to the Besud clan, part of the Taichud tribe, which was under Targudai Khiriltug's leadership at the time of Genghis Khan.

Jebe played an important role in helping to expand the territory of Genghis Khan's empire.

Jebe has been described as "the greatest cavalry general in history" for his unorthodox and daring maneuvers.

Jebe, known then as Jirqo'adai, voluntarily confessed and further added that it was Genghis Khan's choice to kill him, but if allowed to live, would serve Genghis Khan loyally.

Jebe then gave Jirqo'adai a new name, Jebe, which means both "arrow" and "weapon" in Mongolian.

Jebe quickly became one of the best and most loyal commanders of Genghis Khan in later conquests, rising to one of Genghis Khan's top generals in just 3 years, and commanding the critical left army wing in the 1211 invasion of Jin China.

Jebe served with distinction in the initial war against Jin dynasty.

Jebe's unit went around the wall to the east, capturing two fortresses.

Jebe then re-circled his tracks to destroy the second Jin army at Wusha Fortress and linked up with Genghis's main army, who later went on to win the Battle of Yehuling.

Jebe was sent to capture numerous chains of fortresses, which he accomplished by using a feigned retreat to lure out defenders.

The Chinese troops paused to plunder it, and using the long nights of the northern winter, Jebe's army rode 100 miles in 24 hours to rout the disorderly Jin forces and seize Liaoyang.

Jebe managed to find a mountain pass that enveloped the Jin fortifications, forcing the defenders to take the field.

Jebe was placed in the elite force under Muqali with Subutai, and they successfully raided the territory to the ocean while destroying or capturing many Jin towns and cities.

In 1218, Jebe was tasked to defeat the perennial Mongol adversary Kuchlug and conquer Kara-Khitai.

Jebe's forces moved with incredible alacrity which allowed him to overwhelm Kuchlug and his 30,000 men.

Jebe was able to navigate the tall mountain passes that had over five feet of snow, and he drew out Shah Mohammed II's elite 50,000 man cavalry reserve force.

Jebe either won a victory or at least avoided defeat against this elite force and maneuvered further south to threaten Khorasan in order to cut off the far-away provinces.

Jebe then looped back to join Genghis's main army at the capital Samarkand, effectively dividing Khwarezm into two.

Jebe had made a legendary raid around the Caspian Sea where he and Subutai defeated the Georgians, who were set to join the Fifth Crusade, as well as the Caucasus Steppe tribes.