Genghis Khan

Born simply Temujin in 1167 A.D., Genghis Khan, his mother and siblings were abandoned by their tribe after his chieftain father was poisoned. The family experienced years of hardship, and Temujin was told by his mother to ``remember, you have no companions but your shadow''. The boy Temujin showed early promise as a leader and fighter. By 1206, Temujin's military initiatives had defeated all competing tribes, and his power was such that he was proclaimed Genghis Khan, the `universal or oceanic ruler' of the Mongol chieftains.

Genghis Khan pledged to share with his followers both the sweet and the bitter of life. In structuring his army, he integrated soldiers from different tribes, thus inspiring loyalty to the Mongol army as a whole rather than to a specific lineage. He gave his enemies one simple choice: surrender and be enslaved, or die. By consistently enforcing discipline, rewarding skill and allegiance, and punishing those who opposed him, Genghis Khan established a vast empire.

At the time of his death in 1227, Genghis Khan's empire extended from Hungary across Asia to Korea, and from Siberia to Tibet. In 1279, Genghis Khan's grandson, Kublai Khan, founded the Chinese-style Yuan dynasty. Mongol rule brought relative peace to Asia, leaving China accessible to foreign visitors, such as Marco Polo. Native arts flourished, including calligraphy, painting and literature.

1160-1200
Temujen (Genghis) is born in the 1160s. While still a child, his father is killed. By his teens, his daring raids against neighbouring tribes have already impressed the Mongols.

1206
Temujen is proclaimed Genghis Khan, ruler of all the Turko-Mongol peoples. Surrounded by his supporters, Khan forges an army, divides his forces into units under like-minded tribal chieftains, setting in motion an army capable of conquering the surrounding world.

1209-1221
Genghis and his army defeat the Tangut kingdom of Xi Xia; the capital of the Jin empire, Zhongdu; and, in 1218, the Kara-Khitai empire. In 1221, a caravan of Khan's traders are executed. When a Mongol ambassador seeking justice is killed, a bloody war ensues with Khan's army slaughtering entire populations.

1226-1227
Western Turkistan now belongs to Genghis. He devastates the Xi Xia state. Near the end of the assault on its capital city, Ningxia, an ailing Genghis Khan dies - August 18, 1227. Soldiers, transport their dead leader back to Mongolia, killing all those who cross their path. His remains have still not been found.

1229-1235
Genghis' chosen heir, Ogodei becomes the new khan. He continues where his father left off, completing the conquest of the Jin and forging battle against the Southern Song empire and western Asia. In 1234, Ogodei retires from combat.

1241-1248
The Mongol army invades Russia and Europe. Ogodei dies in December. His widow, Toregene becomes first female regent (1241-1246). Her son, Guyak is elected as next khan but dies in 1248.

1251-1258
Genghis' youngest son, Mongke, is elected khan in 1251. In 1258, Mongke sends his brother to control the Muslim world. All of Baghdad is killed except for the Christians.

1259-1264
On their way to attack the Song city of Hezhou, hundreds, including Mongke, die. In 1260 the Mongols suffer their first major defeat near Ain Jalut against the Mamluks. Kublai becomes their next khan in 1264.

1267-1269
Kublai starts to build a new Chinese capital, Daidu. In 1269, he commissions a Mongol script, based on Tibetan, known as Phags-pa.

1274-1281
Kublai attempts an invasion of Japan on three occasions. On the final attempt most of his 150,000-man army drowns or is killed in battle.

1294
Kublai dies, alone, in 1294. The location of his tomb is a mystery.

1368
The Mongolian empire of Genghis Khan and his line ended in 1368 when the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) came to power.