It is estimated that about 16 million men, about 0.5 per cent of the world’s total, carry a unique Y-chromosomal lineage.1 It is found only in a large region of Asia from the Pacific to the Caspian Sea where on average about 8 per cent of the men there carry it. With one exception, the Hazaras of Pakistan, all the populations in which it is found are within the boundaries of the largest land empire known to history, that established by Genghis Khan (c. 1162 – 1227).
The origin of this Y appears to have been in Mongolia some 700 to 1300 years ago. This would suggest that it spread out during the establishment of the Mongol Empire perhaps by Genghis Khan himself and his male relatives. Unfortunately Genghis Khan’s DNA is not available for analysis. However, the Hazaras of Pakistan, who are clearly of Mongol origin, have a tradition that they are the direct descendants of Genghis Khan.
It is, therefore, at least quite possible that Genghis Khan was the cause of the spread of this Y chromosome now carried by one in two hundred of the world’s males. A remarkable achievement, if so, and fortunately perhaps rare, if not unique, in mankind’s history. Could one man have done it? Possibly, since when Genghis was made Khan of the Mongols he was promised that “All the beautiful girls and married women that we [his followers] capture and all the fine horses, we will give to you.”2 So it seems that Genghis Khan had the opportunity to spread his Y around his empire and he probably took it.
John Timson
1. Am. J. Hum. Genet. Vol. 72, pp.717-721, 2003
2. Waley, Arthur. The Secret History of the Mongols, George Allen & Unwin Ltd., London, 1963, p.245