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Born in 1895 in Mongolia, Genden's early life was spent among the nomadic herders of the region. The political landscape began to shift in 1922 when he joined the Mongolian Revolutionary Youth League and quickly climbed the ranks. By 1924, he was appointed as the chairman of the Presidium of the State Small Khural—essentially becoming Mongolia's de facto head of state during a period when the country had adopted communist policies.
As a leader in the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party, Genden advocated for the implementation of socialist economic reforms, such as forced collectivization. These initiatives, however, led to disastrous outcomes, including mass livestock deaths and revolts, prompting a turn in policy from Moscow.