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

Genghis Khan Genghis Khan (born Temüjin; ; xng, Temüjin, script=Latn; ., name=Temujin – August 25, 1227) was the founder and first Great Khan (Emperor) of the Mongol Empire, which became the List of largest empires, largest contiguous empire in history a ...

. 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 directe ...

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, or one thousand men.

Biography

In ''

The Secret History of the Mongols ''The Secret History of the Mongols'' (Middle Mongol: ''Mongɣol‑un niɣuca tobciyan''; Traditional Mongolian: , Khalkha Mongolian: , ; ) is the oldest surviving literary work in the Mongolian language. It was written for the Mongol royal fam ...

'', Jelme is chronicled as having been given to Temujin 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 Toghrul ( mn, Тоорил хан ''Tooril han''; ), also known as Wang Khan or Ong Khan ( ''Wan han''; ; died 1203) was a khan of the Keraites. He was the blood brother ( anda) of the Mongol chief Yesugei and served as an important early patro ...

. 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, ...

, 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