Genghis Khan

c. 1162 – August 1227

Genghis Khan (c. 1162-1227), born Temujin, was the founder and first great khan of the Mongol Empire. After unifying the nomadic tribes of the Mongolian steppe, he launched conquests across China and Central Asia that created the largest contiguous land empire in history under his successors.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Genghis Khan.

Life events

Birth of Temujin on the Mongolian steppe
c. 1162

Temujin was born around 1162 near the Onon River into the Borjigin clan, the son of the chieftain Yesugei.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Death of his father Yesugei and years of hardship
c. 1171

After Yesugei was poisoned by Tatars around 1171, Temujin's family was abandoned by their clan and survived years of poverty on the steppe.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Marriage to Borte of the Onggirat tribe
c. 1178

Around 1178 Temujin married Borte, who had been betrothed to him in childhood and who became his chief wife and mother of his four principal heirs.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Proclaimed Genghis Khan, ruler of all Mongols, at a great kurultai
1206

In 1206, having defeated all steppe rivals, Temujin was acclaimed as Genghis Khan at an assembly on the Onon River, founding the Mongol Empire.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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First major campaign against the Western Xia dynasty
1209

In 1209 Genghis Khan invaded the Tangut state of Western Xia, forcing it into vassalage the following year.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Capture of Zhongdu, capital of the Jin dynasty
1215

In 1215 Mongol forces took and sacked Zhongdu (modern Beijing), a decisive blow in the long war against the Jin.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Invasion and destruction of the Khwarazmian Empire
1219 – 1221

Provoked by the massacre of a Mongol trade caravan at Otrar, Genghis Khan invaded Khwarazmia in 1219 and destroyed the empire in a devastating campaign lasting until 1221.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Final campaign against the rebellious Western Xia
1226 – 1227

In 1226 Genghis Khan led his last campaign to punish Western Xia for withholding troops, and the Tangut state was annihilated in 1227.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Death of Genghis Khan during the Western Xia campaign
August 1227

Genghis Khan died in August 1227; the cause of his death and the location of his grave remain unknown, and he was succeeded as great khan by his son Ogedei.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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