Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan's Birth

May 30, 1162

Genghis Khan, was born as Temujin to Yetsugi, an aristocratic mongol, and Ho'elun, his stolen wife. Temujin was born holding a bloodclot, which meant he was going to be a great leader.

Borte and Temujin Marriage

Jan 1, 1180

At age 16, Temujin marries Borte, who he has been engaged to since he was nine years old. This cements his alliance to the Onggirats.

Merkits Campaign

Jan 1, 1182

Temujin, with the help of Toghril and Jamukha, raid the Merkits to rescue Borte, who they have captured. This is Temujin's first military success.

Elected as Khan of Borjin

Jan 1, 1184

Sometime between 1184 and 1189 Temujin is elected as the Khan of the Borgin. He is only 28 years old.

Jamukha Conflict

Jan 1, 1190

The rivalry between Jamukha and Temujin, who were once friends, finally boils over. Jamukha's and Temujin's armies meet, and Temujin is forced to retreat. However, Jamukha's especially cruel treatment of his prisoners ruins his reputation and many of his followers leave him.

Jurkins Campaign

Jan 1, 1196

In the winter of 1196 or 1197 Temujin conquered the Jurkins.

Tatars Campaign

Jan 1, 1196

Temujin and Toghril agree to help the Jin fight the rebellious Tatars. In return they got Jin titles, but were forced to pay tribute to the emperor. During the battle, the Borjin family (who were supposed to be fighting the Tatars) raided Temujin's camp. Consequently, Temujin had them beheaded.

Attacking the Naimans

Jan 1, 1199

Even though tensions between Temujin and Toghril were rising, they both lead an attack of the Naimans. Jamukha, under Toghril, convinces Toghrils tribe, the Kereyits, to abandon the battle at night, leaving the Mongols alone to fight the Naimans. The plan backfires, and Temujin has to save Toghril and his clan.

Defeat of Tayichi'ut

Jan 1, 1200

Toghril and Temujin attack and defeat the Tyichi'ut, reaffirming their alliance. Temujin spares the lives of Taichi'uts who are loyal to him or honest. During this battle he aquires Jebe, who was honest about killing Temujins horse, and later becomes a great general.

Jamukha Elected as Khan

Jan 1, 1201

The Tatars, Merekits, Naimans, and Tayichi'uts elect Jamukha to be Khan, hoping to stop Temujin's rise to power.

Tatars Campaign

Apr 1, 1202

The Tatars were a tribe that ruled the eastern steppe. Temujin defeated them, and killed the Tartar men and took the women and children to be slaves. Toghril did not help during this campaign.

Temujin Assasination Plot

Apr 1, 1203

Toghril made a plan to assassinate Temujin at a feast. Temujin heard of this, and fled while the Kereyits searched for him. While he was in hiding, he slowly aquired followers.

Kereyit Campaign

Sep 1, 1203

Temujin surprise attacked the Kereyits and seiged their camp. Toghril, and his son Sengum, try to escape but are both killed. Jamukha, who had been supporting Toghril, now ran behind the Naimans. The victory gave Temujin many good soliders.

Naiman Campaign

May 1, 1204

The Naimans, ruled by Gurbesu Khatan, were very against the Mongols. The Mongols fought the Naimans, and forced them to a cliff where they all died.

Temujin Unifies the Steppe tribes

Jan 1, 1206

Temujin finally rules the entire Mongolian plateau and the Orkhon river valley.

Temujin Becomes Genghis Khan

Jan 1, 1206

Near the Burkhan Khaldun (the sacred mountains), Temujin is elected khan of all the steppe people, and takes the name Genghis Khan. This name means he is "Khan of Khan" or "Great Khan."

Jamukha's Defeat

Jan 1, 1206

Jamukha is given to Temujin by some of Jamukha's followers. Both Jamukha and his followers were promptly executed.

Securing Northern Front

Jan 1, 1207

Genghis Khan secured the northern front of the mongol empire by capturing the forest tribes of Kirghiz and Baikal.

Securing West Border

Jan 1, 1209

Genghis Khan secures the mongol's west border by allying with the Uighur. Like most tribes who wanted to be the Mongol's allies, the Uighur gave lots of gifts to the Mongols, and even offered to be literate advisers.

Xia Campaign

Jan 1, 1209

The Tangut people, who lived under the Xia dynasty, were attacked by the Mongols and quickly defeated. Being inexperienced with seizing walled cities, the Mongols plan to take the city backfired. They were still able to negotiate with the emperor, who submitted to the mongols and gave them many supplies.

Jin Campaign

Jan 1, 1212

In 1210, the Mongols were still paying Jin tribute. Two years later, they captured many Jin cities, murdering and plundering as they went. Some conflicts in Jin court caused the Jin emperor to be kicked out, and the new emperor gave gold and precious goods to the mongols. The mongols retreated. The Jin dynasty eventually does fall in 1234.