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Acknowledgement I would like to thank John E.Woods for his comments and suggestions on this paper, and Alan Lloyd for his editing work.

Leyla Nurzhekeeva-McGinn About the Author Beksultan Nurzhekeev was born in 1941 in Almaty County (Oblast), in the region of Panfiloff. In 1965 he graduated from the Kazakh State University and worked as a teacher, later as a Headteacher in a local school of Usharal in Panfiloff region. In 1969 he became the first secretary of the Komsomol Committee (Labour Party’s Youth), and was an apparatchik of the Orgcomittee of Komsomol of the republic of Kazakhstan. He then became the chairman of the monthly periodical called “Zhalin” (“Flame”). Later he became its editor– in– chief, before moving to the same position with the magazine “Parasat” (Intellect) until 1992. Since 1992 he is the director of the publishing house “Zhalin” in Almaty.

As a novelist his publications include: “Love to Blame”, “Waiting for Eternity” , “One Regret, One Hope” , “Spouses”, all his books laud the role that women have played in the way that they have fought with men on an equal basis to build the society that is enjoyed today. The next novel: “When the Enemy Grabbed by Collar” is based on documented historical events where the actions of the Red Army in Zharkent led to a massive migration of Kazakhs to China followed by years of hunger and fear, again highlighting the qualities of Kazakh women in those desperate times. He openly described how the ‘Soviet Russian revolutionist Golovatskii deliberately starved nations in Central Asia in the 1930s’. His book was based on documentaries and other facts gathered during his research with lots of evidence that had been recorded in those years, but was not well received in the upper reaches of the local Communist Party.

This latest work on the birthplace of Ghengis Khan is the culmination of many years of studying archives and official records, and emanates from pride in the history of Kazakhstan and its people.

Chingiz Khan – a warrior from the Ile region

Better known to most as Ghengis Khan, a considerable amount has been written and read about Chingiz Khan and yet our knowledge remains incomplete. Kazakh writers have also added their input, and the name of Tileuberdi Abenaiuli Tinibayin certainly stands out. This is because he has had access to information and articles about Chingiz Khan that have not been seen or read by us yet, and he has personally translated many from Chinese into the Kazakh language.

I would like to offer my view on two books called: “The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” (Almaty, 2010) and “What Lies at the Depth of “History of the World”?” (Almaty, 2011) – which Tinibayin has translated from the Chinese language. In the books he has simultaneously given his explanations to the historic events that took place. He examined a number of discussions relating to different areas such as history and language linked to genealogy, and humanism, khanates and their qualities, toponymy, onosmastic features and states.

Tileuberdi, who has also looked in detail at the well known books “The Secret History of Mongols” (1) and “Compendium of Chronicles” by Rashid ad-Din (known as Rashid ad-Din’s ‘History of the World’), proves in his research that translators and/or script copiers have missed some important and crucial informative facts about Chingiz Khan’s motherland, his people, native tongue, and religion. Also, in some places, facts were twisted, completely mistranslated either deliberately or mistakenly, and in other cases were just simply omitted. This has led to misinterpretation, misinformation and an incorrect understanding of the events and issues that have, ‘unintentionally or intentionally’, falsified some of the important facts.

I would like to begin with the facts of the great warrior’s place of birth, which is indeed a very difficult issue, not least because in the Ancient Turkic lands there were, and continue to be, many similar names of the rivers and lakes, hills and mountains. In addition to it, some ancient names aren’t similar to the current ones today. Others have changed their names entirely, making it extraordinarily difficult to be precise about particular matters. Where a new progress is we know that there are always changes. However, although the names of the people who possessed the places may have been replaced by new owners, the names of the places themselves have often stayed the same, particularly if an incoming tribe had the same language as the previous occupants. Consequently according to the lists of names of mountains, hills, rivers and lakes, as well as checking for their distances, and directions from North to South, we can get some clarification about the geographical position of the places and make reasonable assumptions from that information. Besides, the names of the places may have changed, but mountains, hills, islands and rivers stayed the same.

According to Tileuberdi Tinibayin, the well known book named “The Secret History of Mongols” (translated from Mongolian into Kazakh by Magaiyia Sultaniyauli, Bayanolgey, 1979) was one called “Chingiz Khagan’s Khuzayir” in its original Chinese version - which is “ Genealogy of Chingiz Khagan” (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 9). The first sentences of this book were translated by Tileuberdi as the following: ‘At Zhayikh (which could be spelt/transcript Jayikh, Jayiq , Zhayik, Zhayikh, Zhaajik, Zhajyikh and Dzhjayikh – the name of green pasture) – a man named Borte-Shayna (Burte – Chayna) lived with his spouse Khuba Maral (2) (literally means Dark Deer). They came to settle by the mountain called Burkhan Khaldun where the Lake Muran (also known as Lake Darya) starts its spring (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 14).’

Zhayikh – is simply Zhayikh, the sea - is Caspian, the River Onon – is the river Ili (scripted Ily or Ile as well (3)), the Burkhan Khaldun mountain– is our Burkhan wrote Tileuberdi (Ditto, pages 13, 17). He also says that the following names of the rivers and other places, that we will come across, such as Karkara (Qarqara), Zhety (Jete or Jote), Ility, Chaty of Chat Tartars, Naraty Grasslands, Khulzha (Qulja or Qulzha), Turgen, Kapchagai (Qapchaqay), prove that the name of the river (Onon/Onen – B.N.) is today’s the Ili River (Ditto, page 14).

In the translation of our esteemed Magaiyia Sultaniyauli, these names have not been mentioned at all. However, the blame lies not on him but in the translation of the original into Mongolian. For instance, in the original Chinese script the place Turgen (4), where it had all started is clearly mentioned. Also it has a clear explanation and a quote ‘A Name of a Place’ says Tileuberdi (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 430). “Therefore”, continues Tileuberdi, “the Chinese script was translated into Mongolian with ‘deliberate mistakes’. Why? It is because ‘Turgen’ is the most crucial evidence and an important fact (toponym) that provides the information about the place where Chingiz Khan’s settlement was. When Chingiz Khan was escaping from his relative Taizhigit (Taijigit) he came to hide around the mountain and its surrounding area of Turgen. Later when he was running away from the Merkit (Merkid), he hid in the mountain of Burkhan, which also relates to the history of Chingiz Khan with the mountain of Burkhan-Khaldun, which is to the east of Turgen Mountain. Also the Burkhan is in the area of the Ili. Ili has been known as the name of a place in Zharkent (could have various spellings as Jarkent, Dzharkent) in Almaty County, as well as the name of the area where the river runs through (Ditto, page 431). Even today the names of those places exist in the area of Zharkent - but there is a need to probe further.

“In the same year two wives of Ambegay- Kaghan (Umbegay – Qagan) named Urby and Shughatai (could be spelt Orbi and Chagatai) cooked a meal to remember their ancestors. Kerim (Tamezhan’s mother Hoelun) (5) arrived late for a meal so they used this as an excuse not to let her taste the food. This developed into a quarrel and led to the threat of: “the mother and sons will be faced by its people so do not migrate with us!” (6) – said in ‘Chingiz Khagan’s Khuzayir’ (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’”, 2010, page 480). “Next morning as it was said Targutai- Khoraldik (Tarqutai – Qoraldiq), Totezhan–Zhirty (Totejan– Jirty) (two men from the same clan of Taizhigit of Zhalayir), left Kerim – Kozen behind with her children, and led the rest of the clan of Taizhigit down along Onon – Muran ” (Ditto, page 480). If we pay attention to the word ‘down’, then Taizhigit migrated towards the bottom of the Onon River. If we take into account Tileuberdi’s Onon was Ili, this means Taizhigit migrated towards the end of the Ili River. Here by Taizhigit he means – the tribe of Zhalayir.

In Rashid ad – Din’s “History of The World” it is said that: “There is ‘The Golden Book’ (Altan Debter(7)) in the Golden Treasury safeguarded by the Royals”. In that book there are facts about Taizhigit who were descendants of the Khan Khaidau’s son Shara – Khailikh (Chara – Qailiq)”, thus proving that Taizhigit is also Zhalayir, and belongs to the same tribe. (“What Lies at the Depth of ‘History of the World’?” 2011, page 380). Again if we look at the facts given in “History of The World”, it said “There (in “The Golden Book” – B.N) the grandson of Nashin – Khaidau (Nachin – Qaiday) – who had been saved from his own tribe of Zhalayir, settled down along the Onon – Muran. And we find this story is true” (“What Lies at the Depth of ‘History of the World’?” 2011, page 380).

Consequently, among themselves the Zhalayir had some quarrels, in particular one group called Taizhigit seems to get separated and settled along the River Onon. Also, in the chapter called “The Tribe of Zhalayir”, it says: “In ancient times this tribe had many many people… During Chingiz Khan’s time as well as today the names of infamous people including most of the royalties of Iran and Turan are descendants of this tribe. One part of these people had been settled along the Onon. According to the sources of the witnesses, in ancient times the Chinese Army attacked Zhalayir’s people, with few escaping the massacre… By order some of them were given the death penalty, and the rest were either exchanged with Dutim (The name of the tribe who were also Zhalayir) – Myng’s (could be spelt Ming) second son Khaidau, his sons and relatives, or sold for slavery. Once a big united tribe of Zhalayir, that had been existing since ancient times, collapsed and divided into groups when the time of Chingiz Khan came” (Ditto, page 91).

In the book it is mentioned that Zhalayir had divided into ten sub tribe/clan of family branches. One of them was called Khan and Tore (Ditto, same page 91). It is a fact that the descendants of Chingiz Khan are called Tore and it is known to all Kazakhs to this day. (Tore means royal, king and sovereign). When we look at the collection of the historical manuscripts it is obvious that Taizhigit were descendants of Khaidau, and it is clear that Khaidau was Zhalayir. Consequently, the settlements along the Onon were descendants of Zhalayir who migrated along the shoreline of the same Onon, and settled in the place called Bakanas which is in the suburbs of the Ili. This does not violate the historic truth.

In addition to that Zhamike (people called him Zhamaga (could be spelt as Jamukha, Jamege, Jameke, Jamaka etc.) out of respect – B.N.) was Chingiz Khan’s friend and mate who also later became his rival. He was from the tribe of Shoraty (Choraty). In “History of The World” there is a chapter called “The Tribe of Shoraty” and it says: “In its time there was a glorious leader by the name of Zhamike – Sheshen” (or Chechen – means ‘witty’ not Chechen nationality – L.N.) (“What Lies at the Depth of ‘History of the World’?” page 409).

“If you wonder who they were; they were the great ancestors of the tribe Shora (Chora) that belongs to nowadays Syr – Manakh (Sir – Manaq). That is why the name of “Zhalayir” was always respectly added to the name of Zhamige”explains Tileuberdi. He continued further on: “The tribe of Shoraty was the descendant of Khaidau – Khan Tumenay – Khagan, which means was his seventh generation descended from his son Dur –Bayan. Despite that they were usually called Shoraty and Zhasirat (Choraty and Jazzirat); in the big Council gatherings they were all called Zhalayir. For example, in “History of The World” they were called Zhalayir Saba – Bagadur , but in “The Golden book were called Zhalayir Zhamike –Sheshen’’, in both recorded with the same name of Zhalayir; consequently Taizhigit was Zhalayir proves Tileuberdi (“What Lies at the Depth of ‘History of the World’?”, page 414). Ultimately, if you were in doubt, Tileuberdi proved that Taizhigit was Zhalayir, and confirmed without doubt what was clearly written in “Chingiz – Khagan’s Khuzayir”: “Suychi - Tumakh from Taizhigit, one of Zhalayir’s tribe came in and brought his two sons Arghay – Khazar and Bala along with him” (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of the Mongols’” 2010, page 492).

So Chingiz-Khagan was the direct descendant of the tribe called Taizhigit that belonged to the tribe of Zhalayir. Zhamike of Shora was also a descendant of Zhalayir. The following dialogue between Zhamike and Chingiz Khan confirms it further: Chingiz Khan said to Zhamike: “You and I are the children descended from the same forefather. So avenge this by all means”, - proves that Chingiz Khan was also Zhalayir (Ditto).

During Chingiz’ time which was XII, XIII – centuries Zhalayir had settled along the shoreline of the Ili and we know that they still live there nowadays. Anyone who follows the history knows that in the XV century Timur the Lame also found Zhalayir along the shoreline of the Ili and the Karatal. They had not left those places even during the “Akhtaban battle”in XVIII century .

Let us return to “Chingiz – Khagan’s Khuzayir”. “As they were getting ready, Taizhigit’s Targatai gave the orders to Khoraldi: - “Those Tamezhans whom we left behind possibly have matured by now; the chicks have grown feathers and the cups have become strong. Let us go and pay a visit”. When they had arrived Tamezhan’s family were in a stifling panic… In a hurry Tamezhan quickly jumped on the back of his horse and disappeared into the forest. Taizhigit noticed it and chased him all the way till the mountain of Turgen. Because of Tamezhan’s escape into the thick forest of Turgen, Taizhigits were slow and had to retreat. At the end they had to surround the outskirts of the forest”. (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 482).

Above, the forest of Turgen, according to Tileuberdi, is located on the left shoreline of the Ili (“What Lies at the Depth of ‘History of the World’?” page 434) but it does not correspond with the recording in “Khuzayir”, because Tamezhan did not have time and was not in a position to escape from the right side of the Ili (Onon), where lays the Burkhan, to the Turgen, to the left shoreline of the river which was clear in the script: “In a hurry Tamezhan quickly jumped on the back of his horse and dissappeared into the forest”. This suggests that the forest of Turgen was in the surroundings of the mountain called Burkhan. Turgen – is the forest that lies between the city called Zharkent (Jarkent) and a village called Koktal (Qoqtal). Tamezhan who was escaping down the Burkhan mountain could easily disappear into Turgen – forest because the distance is very short, just at the west of the Burkhan, the fact which is not disputable.

However, for those who are not familiar with this surrounding let me give an evidence from Chokhan’s script who documented it: “The valley of Uigentas (Ugentas,Ogentash) is a mountainous plateau, founded by the currents of the rivers Agnikhatty (Agniqatty), the Kargaly from the west, the Usek (Ossek, Issyk, Ozek) from the east, the Burakhozhir (Borohoodzhir, Borohoro, Borakhozhir, Buraqojir) which is called the Turgen at its fall where they join in” (Complete works in five volumes, volume II, Almaty, 1962, page 11). Chokhan also said this: “While we spent time under the ivy bushes and were completing our camp food, camels had managed to cross over the river and were heading to the river Burkhan-water, rich in food and the watering place” (Ditto, page 20).

He continued further on: “To the left pretty close to the road there was a hilly row, to the right at the distance as a wide ribbon the Ili could be seen, and around it there were dark silhouettes of the cities and surrounding forest. This was the city called Turgen-Kent, which stood in the mouth of the Burakhozhir that joins into the Ili” (Chokhan Valikhanov. Complete works in five volumes, volume II, Almaty, 1962, page 21). Today the fortress of that city still lies in the forest of Turgen along the Almaty – Khorgas (Horgos) rail track. The track goes through the middle of the forest. In XVIII century Raiymbek Batyr together with his trusting fellow travellers Satai, Bolek and Aralbai made an attack on the fortress and during the battle he was severely wounded, indeed he suffered from his wounds till his death.

Now consider also this: “As we mentioned above, in the original work, in three different chapters the same name of the place called “Turgen” was mentioned twice, and clearly written, but was not translated into Mongolian deliberately”, - emphasises Tileuberdi (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’”, page 123). Evidently, they must have known if the Turgen becomes clear which Turgen it is, then obviously it clarifies easily which Burkhan – the right and certain mountain of Burkhan is.

In order to have a full picture of the Turgen described by Chokhan from the Turgen in “Khuzayir”, it would be better to have a look at it in more details. In 1856 Chokhan left a drawn map of the area (volume 2, page 43). As mentioned above Chokhan thought that the Burakhozhir joins the river Ili and that place was called the Turgen. However, the river Burakhozhir did not join the Turgen (Turgen is called the river Usek today). On the east side there is no sloping land towards the Usek for that to happen. What confused Chokhan here, in my opinion, is the following: in between the Usek and the Burakhozhir there is a river called Danggirlakh that runs right through the Turgen. It is true that it enters the Usek (the Turgen) where it gets close to the Ili. Chokhan, who did not see it happening with his own eyes, possibly confused the Danggirlakh with the Burakhozhir. In 1856 when Chokhan visited that place, where the river Usek runs into the Ili, it was still called the Turgen. Although in the times when Chingiz Khan had lived there, the Usek from its beginning to the end had been called the river of Turgen. In “Khuzayir” there was no other river except the Turgen that had been mentioned by the mountain Burkhan. The river Usek (the former name Turgen), still it runs exactly through the Burkhan mountain, on its west side.

When Tamezhan was escaping from his Taizhigit relatives, from the Burkhan into the Turgen, he entered the thick forest of that surrounding. If we analyse the name of the river Usek from the point of the Turkic language, the meaning of the word “Us” means “water” and “ek” means “mother”, “dear”. That is why we keep saying “Balenshe-eke” “Tygenshe-eke” which means ‘a respectful dear so and so’ .Also this means the water Enesy (Motherwater) that fed and supported the nation is the sacred water. Chokhan translated ‘Turgen’ as “fast”. If we translate it into Kazakh its meaning is close to sweeping, quick current. That descriptive word represents the character of the Usek – Turgen very well. In addition to that it seems that it also had a description with the meanings of “tendentious riverside”, “sloppy plain”.

Three - Merkit attacked Tamezhan when his family had settled a little far from the Burkhantau. “It happened when Tamezhan’s horde had settled at Burkay – Irge where the river Kerelim starts”, - it was said in “Chinghiz –Khagan Khuzayir” (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 486).

“It was early dawn when the housemaid had recognized approaching Merkit from the noise of horses’ hooves so first she called Kerim, Tamezhan’s mother: “Big Mother! Big Mother! Get up quickly!” - She woke her up” (Ditto).

If Burkay – Irge is today’s Irgetau then it’s on the west side of the Burkhantau. In that case Merkit came from the west side of nowadays Kogaly (Kogali/Qohaly). As for Tamezhan, he ran to the east of the mountain of Burkhan. “Tamezhan and his brothers quickly set off and managed to dissappear into the depths of the Burkhantau”, - is written in “Khuzayir” (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 485). “One of the horses was saddled comfortably and drawn for Borte –Kozen”. However, close to her delivery time the pregnant Borte could not ride a horse so the housemaid “thinking of hideouts for Borte – Kozen let her sit on the back of the black carriage”, - was said in “Khuzayir” (Ditto, page 486).

Merkit riders went three times around the Burkhantau looking for Tamezhan but could not find or capture him; instead they found a heavily pregnant wife of Chingiz Khan, Borte, who was hidden in the black carriage. In order not to feel defeated they took her away. “So these were three Merkit Shetker riders … Their aim were to avenge Esukay (8) who took away Kerim – Kozen from Shetker. They: “Instead of Kerim, we destroyed Tamezhan’s wench, we had our revenge”, - said one of the Merkit, “so they came down the mountain and went back to their own settlement”, - it said in “Khuzayir” (Ditto, page 487).

The clarification of the fact that both the Burkhan and the Turgen mountains are based near each other, and are located in the vicinity of the Ili, as well as retaining their names till today proves our point with this evidence. However, to put an end to a lie that has spread to the whole world demands strong belief and evidence, so let us continue to look further into “Chinghiz – Khagan’s Khuzayir”(Secret History of Mongols). “Thereby, Borte’s farewell party took place. Tai- Sheshen took his daughter along the shoreline of Kerelim and left her with all the wedding gifts (welcoming jewellery B.N.) at the outskirt of Orakh’s land (Oraq), and went back”, - said in “Khuzayir” (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 485). Why? According to Ancestors’ history, Orakh was one of the grandfathers of Zhalayir. Therefore, the father delivered his daughter to his ancestoral land and went back where he thought his daughter would be safe. So be it, however the historians confused the name “Kerelim” with “Kerulen” which is the river in today’s Mongolia, did they not?

Thus there is another big mistake of history there. There mentioned above, the river Kerelim is not the river Kerulen in Mongolia, but the river Karatal that had been existed from ancient times in the territory of Zhetysu where Zhalayir had been settled for centuries. Descended from Orakh, Zhalayir are settled there along the river still nowadays. Besides, if Borte’s father Tai-Sheshen was coming to Burkhan from the Kerulen in Mongolia, in that case he would not pass through Orakh Zhalayir’s settlement who were on the west, but would come out from Tarbagatai’s side on the east or by Khorgas (Horgos), wouldn’t he? No, he didn’t; he came from the west, where Borte’s people of Khongirat (Qonggirad) had lived since olden days.

Let us now consider some evidence that proves that the river Karatal is the river Kerelim. The river Karatal starts from the middle of the hill Uigentas in the territory of Zharkent, and when the following rivers called Terisakkan (Terisakhkhan), Aginikhatty, Kargaly (Khargaly, Qargali) (See Chokhan’s work above – B.N.), then Kogaly (Khogaly, Qogaly), Tentek, Koksu (Qoqsu), Mukhir (Muqir) join its waters, it gets the name Karatal. From Uigentas, all the water run towards the river Ili along the sunny side (south) but only the Karatal runs backwards and falls into the Balkhash (Balqash). People who are settled on the north call it the Kerelim, Keri oleng (Kerolen), which means Reverse Running River. Simply as a consequence of it running in the contrary direction, so why not call it the river that runs backwards then? Even today the settlement in Zharkent call the cousins of Zhalayir on Kogaly side as the relatives on Teriskay, people of Teriskay (Teriskay – relatives on the contrary side – literally). Those (translators or copiers – L.N.) who did not know the meaning of the Turkic word confused it with the Mongolian Kerulen. Today the Kazakhs renamed it the Belding Suyi, (Hill’s Water) that as a child I had known the river as Terisakhkhan and the river Aginikhatty is renamed the Aksu (Aqsu) by people. The only river that preserved its name is the Kargaly.The Terisakhkhan runs from the hill Uigentas, the Kargaly runs from the ravine Kargaly, the Agnikhatty runs from the ravine Aksu and all three meet exactly at the bottom of the ridge called Zhalau (Zhalauly, Jalauli), which is why that place is called Ush Suding Quigani – Three Flows of Stream. If the starting point of the river of Karatal was called the river Terisakhkhan, (which literally means: runs wrong way) why can’t we believe that Karatal’s former name was Keri Akhkhan Ozen (literally means: the river runs backwards) – Kerelim? To sum up our evidence let us review again the names of places (lands and waters) that are nearby in the surrounding territory of the Ili.

“Those relatives of Taizhigit gathered by the river Alkha-Bulakh (Alka-Bulak/Bulaq)”, - it said in “Chinghiz Khagan’s Khuzayir” (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 494). This must be the actual crossroad of Turksib’s railway track with Ainabulak (Ainabulakh, Ainabulaq) station. “Aina” is changed to “Alka” (Alkha), but Bulak (Bulakh) stayed unchanged.

"Chingiz-Khagan’s Horde has been settled in Korenglik (Qorenqlik)” (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 499). This is the mountain of Barkorneu in Zharkent’s vicinity. The root of the word “koru” has not changed, it means a remarkable mountain. "United Ongkhan (Ong Khan) and Chingiz rode down along the river of Kerelim and attacked Zhamike"(Ditto, 499). In fact, Zhalayir Zhamike’s settlement was in Ainabulakh by the Karatal. So to set off along the shoreline of the river Usek, would not Chingiz look for Zhamike in Ainabulakh at the Kerelim -Karatal, where the settlement of Zhamike was, rather then in Kerulen of Mongolia?

"When warriors of Aldan, Khuzar and Sengim reached Otkhiya (Otkiya,Otqiya, Othyia), the guards at Chiqiriq (Chighirikh) rode in and declared: “Enemy has arrived” (Ditto, page 499). The place called Otkhiya is to be local Kyzyl – Kiya (Khizil-Khiya,Qizil Qiya) near Orbulak (Оrbulakh, Orbulaq) nowadays. “Ot” means “hay” as well as “red as fire” which nobody can deny that.

“In the early morning Chingiz – Khagan’s hand created a row of warriors and Zhamike’s army was parallel to it on the plain of Kuiteng (Quiten) on its right hand side" (Ditto, page 499). Here, the plain of “Kuiteng”, no doubt is the local plain of “Keating” (Quting) nowadays. As Chokhan wrote, the beginning of the river Burakhozhir runs from the water of Keating and stretches to the west till Altyn Emel (Altynemel, Altinemel - Golden Emel). The place named Otkhiya (Kyzylkiya) is a plain that stretches from Sary-Ozek (Sari-Ozek), Kurengbel, and east of Kogaly along the river Turgen (Usek) and all the way to the mountain Burkhan where a place called Orbulak lies.

If we look at the geographical landscape where Chingiz Khan’s Horde had settled, which was in a mountainous habitation of Korenglik (Korenglik/Korengkilik – today is called Barkorneu), a jailau (zhaylau - pasture) between the two plains. That means Ongkhan’s army who supported Chingiz, came in Korenglik from Otkhiya’s side and two then united in the south of Korenglik and together went out on the plain Kuiteng. Zhamike, who set off from Ainabulak and went through Altynemel down to the plain, met Chingizkhan at Kuiteng.

Because that was my native place, I looked at that distant epoch as if I were looking out of binoculars. “Zhamike’s union was destroyed... Taizhigit Aushi-Bagadur retreated towards Onon. Zhamaga robbed the settlement that had voted for him, passed along the river Irgyn (Irghin) and returned to his horde... As soon as Aushi-Bagadur arrived at his settlement, him and Khutim-Urzhan Qutim-Urjan), two of them immediately compelled Taizhigit to come, then together passed the Onon, and assembled to attack Chingiz - Khagan"(“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 499). Looking at the geography it is not difficult to imagine a picture of it. Taizhigit rode down from nowadays Baschi through Beschatir along the river Ili, and retreated towards Bakanas, as for Zhamike, he escaped to Kogaly through Altinemel (Golden Emel).

In order to be convinced that all of these events happened at the surrounding of the river formerly called Onon but nowadays Ili, let us read more from the book named "Khuzayir," that is known as "The Secret History of Mongols". "And mother Shoten led Borte-Kozen along the river of Sengir onto the mountain of Korenglik and brought to Tamezhan’s horde” (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 485). If we say that Korenglik is the local mountain of Barkorneu, then Sengir which flows on the west side of the Barkorneu is the river of Burakhozhir. Further on: "They moved to the bay of Sengir, and settled over night at the place called Burkay- Irge at the beginning of the Kerelim," – mentioned (Ditto). Well "Burkay- Irge” is nowadays Irgetau (Irgetay - the mountain Irge). The plain of Keating that was mentioned above lies between the Irgetau and the Barkorneu, and the Ghumir , the river in the surrounding is also mentioned few times in “Khuzayir". “There was the river called Ghumir that runs down to the West and flows into the Onon. ... And the river leads to the mountain of Beter. On the mountain there was a separate place named Qurchoqi – Boltaq (Khurchokhi-Boltakh, Kurchoki- Boltai). There Tamezhan met his mother and his siblings” – it said (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 484). Today in the north of the aul (village) Khongirolen (Qoqirolen, above the plain Keating there is a jailau called the Ortatau (Middle mountain). The mountain Beter very much looks like that. There is still a small river called Terekti that runs from Ortatau, from the west to the east, and comes out of by Khongirolen aul where it turns heading towards the Ili. Maybe in the past it reached the Ili, however, today it doesn’t because it disappears into the sand. It is possible, that because of its disappearance into the sand, it is called the Ghumir, but who knows?

We can presume that Khurshoki (Qurshoki, Kurchoky)) is Khur Khaishi (Qur Kaichi, Kurqaichi)), according to the hypothesis, because the ownership of the land was given to a man of Zhalayir by the name of Khaishi so Shokhi was replaced by Khaishi. As on page 497 it mentions that a man called Shiragan – Khaishi, descended from the tribe of Zhalayir and Muqaly-Bukha (Mukaly-Buka), willingly joined Chingiz on their own initiative (“What Lies at the Depth of “History of the World”?)

At the base of the mountain of Barkorneu, next to each other, the following places lay: Khaishi Su, Khaishi Bel, Suly Khaishi, Khur Khaishi, Ur Khaishi and Aiyakh Khaishi, that possibly all belonged to Khaishi of Zhalayir. Otherwise how else can we explain the relevance of the name of Khaishi being used in all of them? And also the fact his name was mentioned along with famous Muqaly refers to that he wasn’t an ordinary person. From the given extracts describing Chingiz’s life that passed in the areas along the river Onon, it is not that difficult to understand that it was in Kerelim and has nothing to do with Kerulen of Mongolia.

I certainly find it difficult to agree with Tileuberdi’s explanation of the river of Irgyn as being called Irghiz, because geographically where Irghiz is, and where Zhetisu is? In my opinion, Irgyn is the local river that pours into the river Karatal called the Tentek today, because the words “Irghy”, Irgyn" are synonymous to words "abundantly", "wildly", playfully naughty," and “ jumpy".

I read “Since Chingiz –Khagan died, in a year (1228th year) of the mouse the former sultans... gathered Khuriltai (Qurilta, Kuriltai – a great assembly, that is a modern Constituent) in Kode – Aral, a place located along the river Kerelim, where according to a decree of Chingiz – Khagan, Ukitey (Ogedei) was chosen as a new Khagan” (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 553) and I approximate that the local place of Kode – Aral is today’s Aral – Tobe (Araltobe), because the similarities of its description, as well as the geographical location proves it to be so.

Where it said: “Shorek (Chorek) community, that mainly lay along the river Kerelim, at the side of Kode – Aral in a place called Tolagan –Boltau, were captured” (“The Secrets of ‘The Secret History of Mongols’” 2010, page 497), and “Such a delighted mother that gave birth to Chingiz – Khagan at the curves of the mountain of Teligen – Boltakh that lay along the Onon” (Ditto, page 478). I compared these two names the Tolagan –Boltau and the Teligen – Boltakh and assumed that one is pronounced or written correctly, the other one is not but both mean the same mountain. If so I believe Chingiz Khan was born in the area of Araltobe.

Let us also examine the place where Chingiz- Khan heard a report about Taian (Tayan) of Naiman who was getting ready to attack him. When at "Turgen- Sogeti", he was having a relaxing time (hunting), Uginam, a messenger from Alghish – Tezti - Khor (Qor) delivered this news"(Ditto, page 519). The places of Sogeti (Sughaty, Sugaty), Bughity (Buguti, Buguty), Khalghuty (Kalguty) and Irghaity (Irgati) are located between the Ili and the Chu and still are called by these names. Both Turgen and Sogeti are places located on the left side of the Ili.

“Therefore they stopped their hunting games and immediately set off from Abshi-Kode-Ker” (Ditto, page 519). “When they reached the river Kharkhara (Karkara, Qarqara), they settled for overnight stop at Keltegei-Khada of Ornikh, and counted their horses and people “(Ditto, page 519). Looking at the relief of the land and the names, I will say Kode – Kerdi today History (Kirgiz) and Kyrgyzia, Moscow 1973, page 92). Would a non-Muslim or a person who does not respect that religion, scold a sultan that way?

The truth that is proven by Tileuberdi was mentioned by Kazbek Bek Tauasaruli (Taua-Sar Uli/Tauasar-Uli), recorded by Khazangap Baiboluli in the Genealogy of Kazakhs that Chingiz Khan was from Zhalayir. However, we put it not to science, but to the dispute. This time without making a face, let us respect the scientific conclusions of Tileuberdi and accept the history of our ancestors, because it is right. Let us justify our history, which was mixed up and poisoned by politics, and reason it with documentaries! Say all, and say first: Tileuberdi, one thousand thank you!

13.04.12 3.40 am Almaty.

1)The Secret History of the Mongols, Rashid ad-Din’s history of the World was in three volumes. The first one to be translated was the 3rd volume in 1946 , then the 1st volume was translated in 1952, and the 2nd volume in 1960. I believe that due to a lack of knowledge of both Persian and Turkic languages, the translators and interpreters made mistakes in their translations which caused a lot of misconceptions of the word ‘Mogulstan’ which was interpreted as Mongolstan and given as Mongolia. (7)The Altan Debter (Алтан Дэвтэр, Golden Book ) is an early, now lost the history of Mongols (Moguls). (8) Also spelt and known as Yesugei Baghatur - Esukay/Yesugei, the father of Chingiz Khan who kidnapped Kerim Hoelin Ujin and married her.

(9) In Rashid ad-Din’s ‘History of The World’ ‘Mangol’ what Turkic tribes called themselves which sounded as ‘Mangi el’ means ‘Everlasting Nation’ (‘Undying People’, ‘Evermore Nation’ or ‘Immortal People’) but due to lack of knowledge in Turkic language’s specification such as lexicology, pronunciation, spelling etc. it was interpreted as the ‘ming kol’ – with the meaning of ‘thousand hands’ (big army) by some and just Mongols (Mongolians) by others and that led to wrong interpretation of the whole word.

18. Материалы по истории киргизов и Киргизии», Москва, 1973. Materials on the history of the Kyrgyz and Kyrgyzstan (Kirgiz/Kirgistan). Moscow, 1973