Jelme ( mn, Зэлмэ, ''Zelme'', ; 1160 – 1207) was a general and close companion of

Genghis Khan ''Chinggis Khaan'' ͡ʃʰiŋɡɪs xaːŋbr />Mongol script: ''Chinggis Qa(gh)an/ Chinggis Khagan'' , birth_name = Temüjin , successor = Tolui (as regent)Ögedei Khan , spouse = , issue = , house = Borjigin , ...

. He was the older brother of

Subutai Subutai (Classical Mongolian: ''Sübügätäi'' or ''Sübü'ätäi''; Modern Mongolian: Сүбээдэй, ''Sübeedei''. ; ; c. 1175–1248) was a Mongol general and the primary military strategist of Genghis Khan and Ögedei Khan. He directed m ...

and was of the Uriankhan clan.Richard A. Gabriel, ''Subotai the Valiant: Genghis Khan's Greatest General'', Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2004,
pp. 7, 6
Jelme was appointed as leader of a

Mingghan Mingghan was a social-military unit of 1,000 households created by Genghis Khan. From this group could be recruited a Mongol regiment of 1,000 men. It is part of the ancient method of organization developed by the nomads of Central Asia based on the ...

, or one thousand men.

Biography

In '' The Secret History of the Mongols'', Jelme is chronicled as having been given to

Temujin ''Chinggis Khaan'' ͡ʃʰiŋɡɪs xaːŋbr />Mongol script: ''Chinggis Qa(gh)an/ Chinggis Khagan'' , birth_name = Temüjin , successor = Tolui (as regent)Ögedei Khan , spouse = , issue = , house = Borjigin , ...

when the latter was an infant, but was deemed too young, and sent back to his father. Jelme's father Jarchiudai again gives his son to Temujin when Temujin was meeting with the Wang Khan. The reason for Jelme's having been given to Genghis is unclear. When Temujin is wounded by an arrow to the neck by his future general

Jebe Jebe (or Jebei, mn, Зэв, ''Zev''; birth name: Jirqo'adai (Modern Mongolian: Zurgadai), mn, Зургаадай, ) (death: approximately 1224) was one of the most prominent Noyans (generals) of Genghis Khan. He belonged to the Besud clan, p ...

, Jelme saves his life by sucking the poisoned blood out. He further brings Temujin watered yoghurt (after failing to find milk) from the enemy's camp. Jelme's worth to Genghis is exemplified by one of Genghis's proclamations, where Jelme is granted immunity from prosecution even if he commits nine crimes.

References

*''The Secret History of the Mongols'', translated into modern Mongolian by Tsendiin Damdinsuren {{Generals and ministers of Genghis Khan Generals of the Mongol Empire Year of death unknown Year of birth unknown