Borjigin

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Borjigin (plural Borjigit or Borjigid; Khalkha Mongolian: Боржигин, Borjigin; Chinese: 博爾濟吉特/孛儿支斤; pinyin: Bó'ěrjìjítè) were the imperial clan of Genghis Khan and his successors. The family ruled over a united Mongol Empire in the 13th century and, in 1271, Kublai Khan—who, as a direct descendant and grandson of Genghis, also carried the name—established the Yuan Dynasty in China. The Borjigit continued to rule over the Mongol Empire, China, and other parts of Asia for much of the following century. In 1368, under Ukhaatu Khan, the Borjigit lost China but members of the family continued to rule over Mongolia into the 17th century and they were the strongest of the 49 Mongol banners well into the Qing Dynasty of China. Borjigin is a common surname in Mongolia today. According to Rashid ad-Din, many of Mongolian old clans were founded by Borjigin members - Barlas, Urud, Mangud, Taichiut, Chonos, Kiyat etc.

[edit] Genghisids

Main article: Descent from Genghis Khan

Descent from Genghis Khan is traceable primarily in Central Asia. His four sons and other immediate descendants are famous by names and by deeds. Later Asian potentates attempted to claim such descent even with flimsy grounds. In the 14th century, valid sources (heavily dependent on Rashid al-Din and other Arabic historians) all but dry up. With the recent popularity of genealogical DNA testing, a wider circle of people started to claim descent from the great conqueror.

Among the Asian dynasties descended from Genghis Khan were the Yuan Dynasty of China, the Ilkhanids of Persia, the Jochids of the Golden Horde, the Shaybanids of Siberia, and the Astrakhanids of Central Asia. As a rule, the Genghisid descent was crucial in Tatar politics. For instance, Mamai had to exercise his authority through a succession of puppet khans but could not assume the title of khan himself because he was not of the Genghisid lineage.

[edit] Modern relevance

Clan association has lost its practical relevance in the 20th century, but is still considered a matter of honour and pride by many Mongolians. In 1920s the communist regime banned the use of clan names. When the ban was lifted again in 1997, most families had lost knowledge about their clan association. Because of that, a disproportionate number of families registered the most prestigious clan name Borjigin, many of them without historic justification.^[1]