khans

Central Asian lords

Khans is the plural of khan, a title of rulers and leaders in Central Asian, Mongol, and Turkic societies.

Historically, khans held supreme authority over tribes, territories, or empires—Genghis Khan being the most famous example.

The title has also been used more broadly for local chieftains or nobles.

In modern usage, Khan survives primarily as a surname common in South Asia and the Middle East.

Mongol

Genghis

Mongol emperor's name

  • hordeDisorganized, overwhelming crowd
  • steppeTreeless Eurasian grassland
  • yurtsPortable circular tent homes

ger · nomads · conquest · equestrian · archery · felt · shamanism

historical

Tamerlane

Turco-Mongol empire builder

  • TurkicCentral Asian language family
  • OttomanMember of Turkish dynasty
  • MughalIndian Islamic imperial dynasty

conquest · empire · medieval · chronicle · trade · tribute · envoy · diplomacy

rulers

chieftain

Leader of a tribe

emperor · potentate · autocrat · conqueror · leader · commander · tribal · paramount · supreme · title

dynasty

succession

Following in order

reign · sovereignty · descent · ancestry · patrimony · Chagatai · Yuan · dynastic · imperial · throne

tribal

clans

Related family groups

patriarchal · ancestry · heritage · customs · traditions · gatherings · encampment · confederation · allegiance · fealty

Categories
Opposites
political legitimacy and power source

khanselected officials

Leaders chosen by vote

elected representatives · presidents · prime ministers · representatives · congressmen

social hierarchy and status

khanspeasants

Low-ranking agricultural workers

commoners · serfs · subjects · slaves · servants

imperial/nomadic power structure

khanspopes

Catholic Church leaders

emperors · pharaohs · kings · tsars · shoguns

Phrases
Family

Ilkhanate, khan, Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan, khanate

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G