Genghis Khan championed religious tolerance

Genghis Khan, the fearsome founder of the Mongol Empire, surprisingly decreed religious tolerance across his vast domains. Despite his own shamanistic beliefs, he ensured all faiths—Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, and more—could be practiced freely, even exempting clergy from taxes and military service. This pragmatic approach, enshrined in his legal code, the Yassa, fostered stability and allowed for cultural exchange along the Silk Road. It was revolutionary for the 13th century, contrasting sharply with religious conflicts common elsewhere. This policy of unity through diversity endured under his successors, profoundly shaping East-West interactions for centuries.