Kheshig

Kheshig was the term used for the palace guards of the Mughal emperors in India, and also for the matchlocks and sabres, which were changed weekly from Akbar the Great's armoury for the royal use.

[4] During the reign of Genghis, it seems to have been divided into four groups, commanded by the four generals Muqali, Chormaqan, Bo'orchu and Borokhula.

As it was exceptionally well paid, the vocation was popular, and the numbers of Kheshig skyrocketed to the extent that they were only generally on duty for three days in succession.

Membership in the kheshig was regarded as a supreme honor and was an alternative to the necessity of hostage-taking for noblemen.

By the middle of Genghis Khan's reign, they had expanded to a tumen (10,000 men) commanded by Nayagha, an uncle of Bayan of the Baarin.

As the empire expanded rapidly, Genghis Khan's successors recruited Persian, Georgian, Armenian, Alan, Korean, Italian and Russian units.

Most wei were Chinese, while a few were Mongols, Koreans, Tungusic peoples, Kipchaks and Europeans/Middle Easterners, including Alans and even one unit of Russians.

[16] The modern Mongolian Khishigten clan are also believed to be their descendants, who now inhabit Heshigten Banner within Inner Mongolia in China.