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1162
Genghis Khan is Born
Genghis Khan, named Temujin at birth, was born into the Borjigin tribe in or around the year 1162. His father, Yesugei, was a Kiyad chief prominent in the Khamag Mongol confederation and an ally of Toghrul of the Keraite tribe. They lived a nomadic life. This statue on the Tuul River points towards his birthplace.
Image: https://static.ca-news.org/upload/ennews/7/584507.1477995476.m.jpg -
1171
Father Dies and Chief Claim Rejected
After having delivered young Temujin to the family of his future wife of the Khongirad tribe, Yesugei was poisoned by the rival Tartars. Temujin’s claim to his father’s position was rejected. His family was exiled from the tribe and lived in poverty. The Mongols then divided into different tribes and confederations, and warfare between them was common. Temujin learned to be a warrior, and his mother taught him the importance of alliances.
Image: https://www.chinasage.info/maps/MongolTribes.jpg -
1186
Elected Khan of Mongols
After his wife, Borte, was kidnapped by the Merkits, Toghrul offered an army of Keraite warriors to help. With their assistance, and with the help of a childhood friend Jamukha, who had become Khan of his own tribe, Temujin defeated the Merkits and rescued Borte. Temujin consolidated support among Mongols and was elected Khan, though many in the Mongol aristocracy elite supported Jamukha.
Image: https://www.buggedspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Genghis-khan-.jpg -
1187
Defeated by Jamukha
Jamukha raised an army and attacked and defeated Temujin in the Battle of Dalan Balzhut. Toghrul and Temujin were exiled, but little is known of his life for next 10 years.
Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Mongolia_XI.jpg -
1197
Restored Power
The Jin Dynasty initiated an attack against their formal allies, the Tatars, with help from the Keraites and Mongols. Temujin was given command of part of the attack. After victory, the Jin restored him and Toghrul to chief positions among the Mongols.
Image: http://www.marcelhuijserphotography.com/img/s/v-3/p1794399759-5.jpg -
1206
Becomes Genghis Khan, Universal Ruler of the Mongol Empire
Through wars and alliances, Temujin finally defeated his rival Jamukha, and he managed to unite or subdue the Merkits, Naimans, Mongols, Keraites, Tatars, Uyghurs, and other smaller tribes under his rule. He took a new title: Genghis Khan, the universal ruler of the new Mongol Empire.
Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Genghis_Khan%27s_enthronement_in_1206.jpg -
1210
Subdues Xia Kingdom
Despite initial difficulties, Genghis Khan defeated the Tanguts of Western Xia and absorbed their empire into the Mongol Empire.
Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mongol_1209.png -
1215
Conquers Northern Half of Jin Empire
After several years of war, Genghis Khan besieged and captured the Jin capital of Zhongdu (modern-day Beijing). The Jin ruler, Emperor Xuanzong, fled and moved his capital south, abandoning the northern half of his empire to the Mongols.
Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mongol_1209.png -
1218
Defeats Qare Khitai Empire
With the defeat of Qara Khitai by an army sent by Genghis Khan, the Mongol Empire extended its control as far west as Lake Balkhash in modern-day Kazahkstan, which bordered Khwarazmia, a Muslim state that reached the Caspian Sea to the west and Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea to the south.
Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Mongol_Invasion_of_China.png -
1220
Genghis Khan destroys Khwarazmia Empire
After attempts to forge a trading partnership with the Khwarazmia Empire were rejected by Shah ad-Din Muhammed, Genghis Khan led an army of between 100,000 and 200,000 soldiers to conquer it. One by one, Genghis Khan destroyed the cities of the Empire, massacring many its people.
Image: https://www.chinasage.info/imgs/MongolKhwarazmBattle.jpg -
1223
Additional Campaigns and Return to Mongolia
After conquering Khwarazmia, Genghis Khan led his main army on a raid through Afghanistan and India back to Mongolia. He sent another army through Caucasus and into Russia, where they defeated armies in present-day Armenia, Azerbijian, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia.
Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/MongolCavalrymen.jpg -
1227
Genghis Khan Defeats Revolt in Xia
Genghis led an army to western Xia, where the Tanguts had united with the Jin to resist the Mongols. The Mongols succeeded in taking the Tangut capital, Ning Hia, and eventually forced the surrender of the Tangut emperor.
Image: http://factsanddetails.com/archives/002/201902/5c5b8011384b8.jpg -
1227
Genghis Khan Dies
During the campaign against the Tanguts, Genghis Khan died. The cause of death is unknown. Genghis Khan was buried in an unmarked grave in Mongolia. His son, Ogedei, followed him as the leader of the Mongolian Empire, expanding its boundaries even further.
Image: https://theme.npm.edu.tw/khan/att/collection/03009223/17000848.jpg
