Why the Tomb of Genghis Khan Has Never Been Found
Genghis Khan, the man whose blood still flows through the veins of over 16 million people today, was once a part of a small tribe. But the fire of vengeance inside him led to the deaths of over 40 million people. That same fire blinded him to such an extent that he even killed his half-brother. On piles of corpses, he laid the foundation of the Mongolian Empire — an empire that stretched from China all the way to Ukraine. In fact, Genghis Khan’s influence was so powerful that even after his death, his legacy led to the deaths of another 40,000 people.
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| Genghis Khan monument in Mongolia / Image Credit: Pexels |
But when he died and was taken for his final rites, 2,000 people were present. Yet to this day, no one knows where his body was buried. It's been over 700 years, but no one has found his tomb or remains. So where did his body go? Why has it never been found?
The Beginning of the Conquest
This story begins in the 13th century, around the year 1201, when Genghis Khan started attacking smaller Mongolian tribes to expand his power. One such powerful enemy tribe was that of Jamukha. It is said that during a battle with Jamukha's forces, a sudden arrow whizzed past and just grazed Genghis Khan’s neck. That moment made him feel like he had seen death with his own eyes. But fate was on his side, and he won the battle.
After this narrow escape, he summoned the archer who had shot the arrow and offered him a place in his own army. With each victory, Genghis Khan continued to recruit the most ruthless and skilled soldiers. His army became so strong that over a span of 40 years, he expanded his empire from a small Mongol tribe to a superpower.
Eventually, he set his sights on the Tangut Empire, commonly known as Western Xia. This region had a rich agricultural community famous for rice production. To feed an army of 15 to 20 million strong, Western Xia was a valuable target. It was capable of fulfilling his needs and could also boost the Mongol Empire economically. So in 1205, he launched an attack on Western Xia.
The Five-Year War
However, the Tangut Emperor was incredibly strong, and the battle went on for five long years. Like always, Genghis Khan emerged victorious. But this war weakened him greatly — many of his soldiers had died. He was no longer in a position to wage another major war. To make matters worse, the people of Western Xia refused to follow his commands even after their defeat.
The Final Blow of Vengeance
One day, when Genghis Khan requested military support from Western Xia, they again rejected him. This humiliation ignited a deep rage within him. He decided to invade Western Xia again — but this time, not to rule over them, but to annihilate them completely.
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| Genghis Khan Portrait in Yuan Emperor Album / Image Credit: Wikimedia |
Everyone knows Genghis Khan was cruel and ferocious, but he was also incredibly wealthy. If adjusted for inflation, it’s believed that he had wealth equivalent to $120 trillion in today’s terms. Fueled by revenge, he continued his brutal march, killing every soldier in his path.
But during this campaign, the fire of vengeance burned so bright in his eyes that he failed to notice an incoming arrow. The arrow pierced through his knee. Yet, consumed by rage, he ignored the pain and continued to fight while injured.
The Wound That Took His Life
Although the Mongols won the war, the victory was short-lived. His wound worsened, and he could no longer return to his empire. That very revenge against Xia that gave him the strength to fight became the reason for his death. Genghis Khan died in his own military camp from an infection caused by his injury.
His Last Wish: To Disappear
But the killing wasn't over. Another 40,000 people were yet to die. Before his death, Genghis Khan had written detailed instructions for his funeral. According to Mongol tradition, if a king wished for his burial site to remain unknown, then no one could go against it — at any cost.
The Secret Funeral
As his body was being transported back from the battlefield to his empire, his soldiers killed every man, animal, and creature who happened to witness the procession. Once his body reached the empire, 2,000 people were invited to attend his final rites.
But this was no ordinary invitation — it was a death sentence.
Yes, you heard that right. People were invited only to be killed afterward. Historians are still trying to find out who these people were and why they were executed. After the cremation or burial (which remains a mystery), soldiers rode 1,000 horses over the burial ground to flatten the soil and make it look like untouched land.
The Last Massacre
And then began the final massacre. Every single person present at the funeral was killed by a special group of soldiers. Their goal: to ensure that no one remained alive who could ever reveal where Genghis Khan had been buried.
To this day, the world continues to search for the lost tomb of Genghis Khan, one of history’s greatest conquerors — but it remains one of the most chilling unsolved mysteries ever.
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