28 Facts About Toghrul

Toghrul, known as Wang Khan or Ong Khan, was a khan of the Keraites.

Toghrul was the blood brother of the Mongol chief Yesugei and served as an important early patron and ally to Yesugei's son Temujin, later known as Genghis Khan.

Toghrul was born around 1130, to Nestorian family of Keraites.

Toghrul's father was Cyriacus Buyruk Khan, the leader of Keraites.

When Toghrul returned to the Keraites later, his father was near death.

Toghrul took his place and commanded the Keraites around 1165.

However, Toghrul's success was brief because his uncle only known with the title Gurkhan overthrew him.

Toghrul fled with his daughter and a handful of faithful.

Toghrul tried to get the help of the Merkits to overthrow Gurkhan in turn, but their leader, Toqto'a Beki, refused despite the fact that Toghrul offered him his daughter because the Keraites were very numerous.

Toghrul chose to help Toghrul because he had previously fought a battle with the Keraites against the Tatars.

Toghrul resumed the command of the Keraites, and Gurkhan fled.

Toghrul led the coalition against Merkits when Temujin's wife Borte was abducted in 1183, joined by his brother Jakha Gambhu, Jamukha and Temujin.

Toghrul returned to the Kerait camp with his men, proud of an easy victory.

Many Keraites who were dissatisfied with the command of Toghrul probably helped to drive Toghrul out.

Toghrul fled to Yelu Zhilugu without even going to seek the help of Temujin.

Toghrul stayed there a year according to the Secret History.

Around 1199, Toghrul wanted to finish once and for all with the Naimans and the dispute between the two kings of this tribe was a useful chance to attack.

Toghrul succeeded in bringing together Temujin and Jamukha, chief of the tribe of the Jadaran, and forced them to become allies again, for they had hitherto become enemies.

Indeed, Toghrul had a hard time chasing his enemies because they had plenty of ground to escape.

Buyruq's general Kokse Sabraq attacked Toghrul who moved away from Temujin, defeated Toghrul's son Senggum, capturing his son and wife in process.

In 1200, Toghrul aided Temujin, who was attacked by an alliance formed by the Taichiud, commanded by Targhutai Kiriltuk, an old enemy of Temujin, and Merkit led by Toqto'a Beki, who had recently recovered his son on the banks of the Onon River.

Toghrul decided to back Temujin in order to oppose growing power of Jamukha.

Genghis and Toghrul returned to the mountains, but this time in the southern portion and faced the newly-commanding Kuchuguden's men, among them were Merkit, South Naiman, Oirats and tribes following Jamukha.

Toghrul was more than 70 years old by 1203 and did not have the same reflexes as in his youth.

Toghrul was present and assumed command, but he was more or less unable to fight himself given his advanced age and withdrew his men from the fight.

Toghrul was then in possession of eleven tribes, which formed a third of the whole population of Mongolia.

Toghrul fled to Tayang Khan but was killed by a Naiman soldier named Qori Subeci who did not recognize him.

Toghrul's head was later noticed by Tayang who was panicked and then stepped on it, crushing it.