The MERKITS
An Asian tribe inhabiting southeastern Siberia during the Middle Ages, regarded by
their neighbours as being particularly ferocious. Their ethnicity is somewhat obscure; the balance of the evidence suggests that they were Mongolic (
related to Mongols, Naimans, Keraits, and Khitan), but it has also been postulated that they are more closely related to Paleo-Asians such as the Chukchi, or Tungusic (Manchu and Evenk). Temujin Genghis Khan had Merkit ties: his mother was the wife of Chiledu, abducted from him by Genghis'' father, sparking a long-running feud.
To the Khitan-Liao..............................1000''s-early 1100''s
Chiledu............................................
fl. 1150''s
Magnagt..........................................fl. c.1200
Tokhotoa........................................... ? -1205
Kutu..............................................1205-1206 with...
Chila''kun.........................................1205-1206
To the Mongols thereafter...