The archer who shot Genghis Khan’s horse

In 1201, Temüjin, not yet called Genghis Khan, fought the Tayichiud clan. During the battle an enemy arrow struck his horse in the neck and brought it down.

After his victory, he gathered the prisoners and asked who had fired that arrow. Lying would have been easy. Instead a young archer named Zurgadai stepped forward and admitted it. If Temüjin killed him, he said, he would stain only a patch of earth the size of a hand; if he was spared, he would serve him faithfully.

According to the Secret History of the Mongols, Temüjin was impressed that the man had not hidden what he had done. He spared him and gave him a new name: Jebe, meaning “the arrow”.

Jebe became one of the greatest generals in history. With Subutai he led the legendary raid around the Caspian Sea, defeating Georgian and Rus’ armies thousands of miles from home. Genghis built his empire on that principle: he promoted for loyalty and ability, not birth, even when the ability had just been aimed at him.