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My encounter with a Mongolian Friend and the Fascination with Genghis Khan

Gil Van Dyke
3 min readJan 1, 2025

In 2019, I had the privilege of studying at Minnesota State University, Mankato. During this period, I made a special friend who was from Mongolia. Our conversations often turned into cultural exchanges where we shared stories about our countries and their rich histories. While I talked about Dutch icons like Vincent van Gogh, he passionately told me about Mongolian heroes, especially Genghis Khan.

Until that moment, I knew little about Genghis Khan. The image I had of him was limited to the general knowledge of a great conqueror. This encounter sparked my curiosity and led me to explore more about this fascinating historical figure. This blog is dedicated to delving into the life of Genghis Khan, his significance to Mongolia, and the vast empire he built.

Who was Genghis Khan?

Genghis Khan, born as Temujin in 1162, is one of history’s most formidable and influential figures. He founded the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death. His early life was marked by hardship and struggle, including the murder of his father by rival tribes and the subsequent abandonment of his family by their own clan. Despite these challenges, Temujin rose the power through a combination of strategic alliances, military prowess, and a ruthless…

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Gil Van Dyke
Gil Van Dyke

Written by Gil Van Dyke

As a Dutch solo traveler, I share cultural, demographic, political, and historical insights via engaging blogs. Support me at buymeacoffee.com/gilvandyke

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