Genghis Khan Returns To Invade Singapore

Genghis Khan

The largest collection of Genghis Khan artifacts ever assembled will make an exclusive Asian appearance in Singapore at the new Art Science Museum at Marina Bay Sands from February 17 – April 10, 2011.

His name echoes through the history of Europe and Asia with a drumbeat of horse-hooves, accompanied by the screams of doomed townspeople. Incredibly, in a span of just 25 years, Genghis Khan's horsemen conquered a larger area and greater population than the Romans did in four centuries.

To the millions of people his Golden Horde conquered, Genghis Khan was evil incarnate.  However his empire was short lived and while most people know his name few are aware of the lifestyle and background of Kan and his empire.

People now have the opportunity with a new exhibition to gain an unique insight into his life and what allowed the Moguls to become one of the superpower of the Middle Ages and a name to strike mortal fear into their enemies

This spectacular and uniquely interactive exhibition tells the amazing true story of Genghis Khan - his life, his land, his people, his culture - and his enduring legacy. While he is famous as the ruthless Mongol warlord who conquered half the known world, he is also revered as an innovative leader and statesman who brought unity, stability and much more to his people.

Genghis Khan was born near the Baikal lake (in present Russia), around 1167 but various experts have disputed that.  Mongol legend says that the baby was born with a blood-clot in his fist, a sign that he would be a great warrior.

His true name was Temojin. He was son of Yesugei, head and leader Mongol, and great-grandchild of Kabul Khan, leader of Mongols that, supposedly, poisoned by the Tartars.  

At the age of 27, a referendum among the Mongols, who elected him khan or leader.

By 1204 he united the nomadic tribes of northeast Asia. These events lead to the founding of then Mongol Empire and being proclaimed "Genghis Khan". 

From this he started the Mongol invasions that would ultimately result in the conquest of most of Eurasia. These included raids or invasions of the Kara-Khitan Khanate, Caucasus, Khwarezmid Empire, Western Xia and Jin dynasties.

These campaigns were often accompanied by wholesale massacres of the civilian populations – especially in Khwarezmia. By the end of his life, the Mongol Empire occupied a substantial portion of Central Asia and China.

Many of these invasions resulted in the large-scale slaughter of local populations, which have given Genghis Khan and his empire a fearsome reputation in local histories.  t has been estimated by many experts that his campaigns killed as many as 40 million people

Beyond his great military accomplishments, Genghis Khan also advanced the Mongol Empire in other ways. He decreed the adoption of the Uyghur script as the Mongol Empire's writing system. He also promoted religious tolerance in the Mongol Empire, and created a unified empire from the nomadic tribes of northeast Asia. Present-day Mongolians regard him highly as the founding father of Mongolia

The Exhibition plans to take visitors on a journey back to 13th century Mongolia where they will experience stunning re-creations of Mongolia’s grasslands and battlegrounds, and walk among the archaeological artifacts and weaponry of the Mongol Empire. 

The exhibit, the largest of its kind ever assembled, promises to be just as entertaining as it will be educational.

 "His role of wise statesman who formed the first united Mongol nation is often overlooked. He was also one of the world’s greatest innovators and many of our modern-day inventions such as the passport, paper money, libraries and even trousers can be attributed to his vision.” said exhibit curator Don Lessem.

In addition to the more than 200 objects from the State Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg, Russia and the National Museum of Mongolian history, visitors will have the opportunity to experience live performances by traditional Mongolian singers, dazzling sets, videos and activities, including role-playing and excavations, and witness fearsome weapons in action with live demonstrations. Mongol siege weapons in action? Now who wouldn't want to see that?

The 1,500-square meter exhibition will tell the story of the legendary conqueror whose innovation, technological mastery and cultural creativity gave him the reputation of one of the world’s greatest, yet most misunderstood, leaders.

A exhibition that should not be missed!!

Genghis Khan: The Exhibition will be on show from 17 February till 10 April 2011 at the Art Science Museum at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.