Conquests During the Reign of Genghis Khan

Enthronement of Genghis Khan

1206

On a sacred mountain of the Mongols, the Kurulai of Burkhan Khaldun, the chief shaman or kokochu, bestows the title of ‘Universal Ruler’ or Genghis Khan of the Mongol Empire upon Temüjin. Image Source

Raid on Wulahai of Western Xia

1207

Genghis khan takes over a Western Xia garrison, Wulahai, near modern Wuyuan and begins to prepare on a full-scale invasion into Western Xia. Image Source

Conquest of Western Xia Begins

1209

Genghis Khans preparations are complete and the conquest of Western Xia begins. In the autumn, Genghis Khan penetrates through Wulahai into Western Xia and defeats a Tangut army while seizing Zhongxing. Image Source

Conquest of the Jin Dynasty Begins

1211

Conquest of the Jin Dynasty begins by invading Inner Mongolia. Genghi’s Khan’s second and third son, Ogedei and Chgatai, led the invasion. In October, Jebe, one of the most prominent generals of Genghis Khan’s army, takes control of Juyong Pass from the Jin Dynasty. Image Source

Battle of Yehuling

1212

Battle of Yehuling or Battle of Wild Fox Ridge was a major decisive battle fought between August and October, located northwest of Wanquan District, Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province which allowed the Mongolian empire to overrun and conquer the northern region of the Jin Dynasty. Image Source

Control of Liaoyang, Hebei, and Shanx of Jin Dynasty

1213

In January, General Jebe of the Mongol Empire takes over the Liaoyang, the Eastern capital of Jin Dynasty. During the months of July and August, Genghis Khan’s forces battle and defeat Zhuhu Gaoqi’s army of the Jin Dynasty. During the autumn, Genghis Khan’s sons, Ogedi and Chagatai, take control of Hebei and Shanx in northern region. Image Source

Invasion of Liaoning and southern Manchuria

1214

In December, Muqali, a Mongol military general invades and takes control of Liaoning and southern Manchuria. Image Source

Battle of Zhongdu

1215

In the Battle of Zhongdu, the Mongol Empire is victorious and takes control of the Central Capital, current day Beijing, in the Jin Dynasty. Genghis Khan appoints Khitan Shimo Ming'an and Jabar Khoja to be in charge of the city. Image Source

Conquest of Qara Khitai

1216

The Mongol Empire begins the conquest of the Qara Khitai, also called Western Liao. General Jebe seizes Kashgar however, the ruler, Kuchlug is able to escape. Image Source

Conflict with the Khwarazmian Empire

1218

Conflict with the Khwarazmian Empire begins when a Mongol caravan of 500 Muslims are sent to Otrar to establish official trade however, the governor of the Khwarezmia city, Inalchuq, executes all of them. Kuchlug, ruler of the Qara Khitai, is captured by sheperds in Badakhshan and handed over to General Jebe. Kuchlug is beheaded and ends the empire of Qara Khitai. Image Source

Conquest of the Khwarezmian Empire

1219

The conquest of Khwarezmia (Iran or Persia) begins due to the conflict the previous year. The Mongol Empire ceases conquest of the Jin Dynasty and shift their military focus on the Khwarezmian Empire. Ögedei and Chagatai, seize and control Otrar and massacres the people in the city. Jochi, Genghis Khan’s oldest son, is dispatched to conquer Syr Darya and the empire’s other forces to take over Fergana. Image Source

Conquest of the Khwarezmian Empire Continues

1220

Conquest of the Khwarezmian Empire continues, in February, Genghis Khan takes control of Bukhara and Samarkand in March, cities in present day Uzbekistan. In May, Jebe and Subutai, a general and primary military strategist of Genghis Khan, seize Balkh, a town in current day Afghanistan. Image Source

Fall of the Khwarezmian Empire

1221

In the month of March, Tolui, the fourth son of Genghis Khan, seizes and slaughters the people in Merv, a city in present day Iran. Ögedei, Chagatai, and General Jochi overtake Urgench, a city in western Uzbekistan, while Tolui overtook Nishapur and Herat. In November, Genghis Khan defeats Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu, the last sultan, in the Battle of Indus and ends the Khwarezmian Empire.. Image Source

Conquest of Cuman and Kingdom of Georgia

1222

Military strategist Subutai and General Jebe conquer the Cumans and seize the Kuban steppe. In September, the Battle of Khunana took place, where Subutai and Jebe were victorious against the Kingdom of Georgia and mortally would their king, King George IV of Georgia. Image Source

Control of the Gansu Corridor of Western Xia

1226

Genghis Khan refocus his military back to Western Xia and in February, seizes Khara-Khoto and cities along the Gansu Corridor. In November, Mongol forces take over Lingzhou and Genghis Khan crosses the Yellow River the following month penetrating Western Xia. Image Source

The End of Genghis Khan's Reign

1227

Due to unknown reasons, Genghis Khan dies along the Jing River. The emperor of Western Xia, Mozhu, surrenders in September and is executed which ends the conquest of Western Xia. Image Source