Well yes and the British helped to abolish suttee, but the fact remains that
both we Brits (metaphorically) and the Mongols (non-metaphorically) left
pyramids of skulls wherever we went. I mean, for heaven's sake, I'm open to
most arguments but everyone has their limits and apologia for Genghis Khan
is apparently mine.
dd
PS: Apparently in Mongolia they recently had an exercise whereby people
would adopt surnames for the first time, to assist in compiling a telephone
directory. The regional telecom monopoly sent out a booklet listing all the
criteria one could use in selecting a surname based on one's region,
genealogy, profession etc. 95% of the population decided that they wanted
Genghis' clan name.
Yoshie wrote:
--------------------
In Mongol society,
meanwhile, women had more independence than those in Islamic and
western societies. Mongol women could own property and pursue
litigation. And they served as auxiliaries in the military, remaining
hidden in the encampment during combat but joining the fight if an
emergency made that necessary." ("Genghis Khan and the Mongols,"
<http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h11mon.htm>).
