Genghis Khan

Early Years

Oct 21, 1162

Temujin, then later became Genghis Khan. He was born around 1162 near the border between modern Mongolia and Siberia. Legend holds that he came into the world clutching a blood clot in his right hand.

Empire

Oct 22, 1200

The Empire Of Ganghis Khan at its height in the 13th century.

United The Mongols

Oct 21, 1205

His followers included: Christians, Muslims and Buddhists. By 1205 he had vanquished all rivals, The following year, he called a meeting of representatives from every part of the territory and established a nation similar in size to modern Mongolia. He was also proclaimed Chinggis Khan, which translates to “Universal Ruler,” a name that became known in the West as Genghis Khan.

Khan Establishes His Empire

Oct 21, 1207

After uniting the tribes, Genghis Khan ruled over some 1 million people. In order to suppress the traditional causes of tribal warfare, he abolished inherited aristocratic titles. He also forbade the selling and kidnapping of women, banned the enslavement of any Mongol and made livestock theft punishable by death.Also, Genghis Khan ordered the adoption of a writing system, conducted a regular census, granted diplomatic immunity to foreign ambassadors and allowed freedom of religion.

Khan Establishes His Empire (pt. 2)

Oct 21, 1209

Genghis Khan’s first raid outside of Mongolia took place against the Xi Xia kingdom of northwestern China. After a series of raids, the Mongols launched a major initiative in 1209 that brought them to the doorstep of Yinchuan, the Xi Xia capital. The Mongols traveled with no supply train other than a large reserve of horses. The army consisted almost entirely of cavalrymen, who were expert riders and deadly with a bow and arrows. At Yinchuan, Mongols, made a false withdrawal and initiated siege.

Khan Establishes (pt. 3)

Oct 21, 1211

Next, they attacked the Jin Dynasty of northern China. From 1211-1214 Mogols ravaged the countryside and sent refugees pouring into the cities. Food shortages became a problem, and the Jin army ended up killing tens of thousands of its own peasants.

The Mongols Besiege

Oct 22, 1214

In 1214 the Mongols besieged the capital of Zhongdu (now Beijing), and the Jin ruler agreed to hand over large amounts of silk, silver, gold and horses. When the Jin ruler subsequently moved his court south to the city of Kaifeng, Khan took this as a break in the agreement and, with the help of Jin deserters, sacked Zhongdu to the ground.

War and The Spreading of Terror

Oct 22, 1219

In 1219 Genghis Khan went to war against the Khwarezm Empire (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iran).The sultan there had agreed to a trade treaty, but when the first caravan arrived its goods were stolen and its merchants were killed. Mongols swept through one Khwarezm city after another, including Bukhara, Samarkand and Urgench. Skilled workers were usually saved, aristocrats and soldiers were killed, unskilled were used as human shields.

Khan's Death and The Continuation of Empire

Oct 22, 1227

In early 1227, a horse threw Genghis Khan to the ground, causing internal injuries. He pressed on with the campaign, but his health never recovered. He died on August 18, 1227, just before the Xi Xia were crushed. He conquered 2x as much land than anyone else. His descendants were also prolific conquerers. Finally in 1920, his last descendant was deposed.