The Life of Genghis Khan

The Birth of Genghis Khan

Nov 14, 1162

Temujin, later, Genghis Khan, was born in Delüün Boldog, near the border between modern day Mongol and Siberia. He was born around 1162, but his exact birth date is unknown due to lack of records. He was the son of Yesugei Baatar, a major Chief of Khamag Mongol Confederation. (Genghis Khan's exact birth date is unknown, but in Mongol, people celebrate Genghis Khan's birthday on November 14th.) Image Source: http://mongolianvisiontours.com/khentii-aimag

Death of Yesugei, Temujin's Father

Jan 1, 1171

On 1171, when Temujin was 9, his father, Yesugei, was poisoned by an enemy clan. After Yesugei's death, Temujin's clan desterted him, his mother, and his six siblings in order to avoid having to feed them. Because of this Temujin grew up in a poverty. (The exact date of Yesugei's death is unknown) Image Source: www.genghiskhan.es

Temujin Kills His Half-Brother

Jan 1, 1172

On 1172, Temujin killed Behter, his older half-brother because he was treated unfairly after the hunt. After this event, Temujin received a reputation as a warrior and took over as a head of his household. (The exact date is unkonwn) Image Source: http://elbilge.ucoz.com/photo/10-2

Temujin marries Borte

Jan 1, 1178

In 1178, Temujin married Borte, who later gives birth to four sons of Genghis Khan. Through the marriage Temujin attempted to build an alliance with the Onggriat Tribe. Later, Borte was kidnapped by an enemy tribe, but Temujin launched a daring rescue and again, gained a reputation as a warrior. (The exact date of his marriage is unknown) Image Source: http://img.ffffound.com

Temujin Rises to Power

Jan 1, 1197

Temujin offered himself as an ally of Wang Khan, the blood brother of his father, Yesugei. When Börte was kidnapped by the Merkits, Wang Khan offered 20,000 of his warriors and supported Temujin. However, later, Wang Khan disrespects Temujin by refusing to marry his daughter to Temujin's eldest son Juchi, then the two gets into a war. Wang Khan was defeated and Temujin ascended to power. Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Djengiz_Kh%C3%A2n_et_Toghril_Ong_Khan.jpeg

Temujin Fights Jamukha

Jan 1, 1201

In 1201, Temujin's anda, a blood brother, Jamukha was elected as a Gur Khan, the universal ruler. The power conflict between Temujin and Jamukha had been rising, and this was a final breaching point between the two. Having the one of two biggest tribe alliances, Temujin now was put in a position to fight Jamuka, his blood brother, to become the one, true universal ruler of Mongolian tribes. Image Source: https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/p/7/005/068/2e9/34e9d84.jpg

Temujin Becomes Genghis Khan

Jan 1, 1206

In 1206, Jamukha was betrayed by one of his follower. Temujin offered renewal of the friendship, but Jamukha refused the offer and chose death. By 1205, Temujin united all rival clans. The following year, he established a nation similar in size to modern Mongolia. He was also proclaimed Genghis Khan, which roughly translates to “Universal Ruler". (The exact date of his proclamiation is unknown) Image Source: www.biography.com

Genghis Khan Begins His Campaign

Jan 1, 1209

On 1209, Genghis Khan led his first foreign campaign against the kingdom of Xi Xia, located in modern day Northwestern China. Genghis Khan's army was consisted almost entirely of cavalrymen, deadly with a bow and arrows. In the end, the Xi Xia ruler submitted and presented tribute. Image Source: www.gordons-corner.com

Genghis Khan Attacks Jin Dynasty

Jan 1, 1211

The Mongols next attacked the Jin Dynasty of northern China, whose ruler demanded Genghis Khan to surrender. From 1211 to 1214, the outnumbered Mongols ravaged the countryside and sent refugees pouring into the cities. Because of this, Jin Dynasty suffered from a food shortages, and the Jin Dynasty as a result, killed thousands of its own peasants. Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Bataille_entre_mongols_&_chinois_(1211).jpeg

Jin Dynasty Surrenders

Jan 1, 1214

In 1214, the Mongols besieged the capital of Zhongdu (now Beijing), and the Jin ruler agreed to hand over large amounts of tributes. The Jin emperor abandoned the northern half and moved his court to the city of Kaifeng, Genghis Khan took this as a breach of their agreement, then sacked Zhongdu to the ground. Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Siège_de_Beijing_(1213-1214).jpeg

Genghis Khan Attacks Khwarezmia Empire

Jan 1, 1219

In 1219 Genghis Khan went to war against the Khwarezm Empire. The sultan there had agreed to a trade treaty, but the first caravan arrived, the merchants were killed. The sultan, then, murdered Genghis Khan’s ambassadors. Despite once again being outnumbered, the Mongol horde swept through one Khwarezm city after another, including Bukhara, Samarkand and Urgench. Image Source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5h5cf5fhIc/UgP1ugBtERI/AAAAAAAAA_A/7uaW345ALXA/s1600/mongolsiege.jpg

Genghis Khan Meets Qiu Chuji, the Taoist sage.

May 15, 1219

Genghis Khan sent for a Taoist sage named Qiu Chuji, seeking for the secret of immorality. He was honest and told Khan that nothing is permanent. However, the two became friends and Genghis Khan honored him with the title Spirit Immortal. Image Source: http://cfile28.uf.tistory.com/image/252D4550535C873918E86F

Mongol Invasion of Eastern Europe and Central Asia

May 31, 1223

After defeating Khwarezmian Empire, Genghis Khan gathered his forces. Genghis Kahn led the main army to raid northern India and Afghanistan, while his general Subutai conquered Eastern Europe, including Georgia, Kievan Rus', and Hungary. Image Source: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/03/10/article-2577570-1C2CFE3600000578-579_634x353.jpg

Genghis Khan's Final Campaign

Aug 1, 1226

Genghis Khan started his last campaign against Xi Xia as a punishment for disobedience. He left a cruel order to remove any trace of Xi Xia from the world. He laid siege to Lingzhou and crossed Yellow River, defeating Xi Xia army. After all, the emperor of Xi Xia surrendered. Image Source: http://static1.squarespace.com/static/52d32025e4b0587f97c850a0/52d3260fe4b0979c8387f7f2/52d3267de4b0a091116043b7/1389650068470/yu-shan-mural-young-genghis-khan.jpg?format=1000w

The Death of a Great Khan

May 18, 1227

After he fell of of a horse the previous year, Khan suffered from a serious injuries. Later, Genghis Khan died in a camp during a campaign against Xi Xia. His third son, Ögedei Khan, succeed him and continued building the Mongol Empire. He was buried without markings, following the tradition of his tribe. Image Source: data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAkGBxQTEhUUExQVFRQXGB0aGBcYGRwcHxobHBoZHyAcGxocHCggGB0lHR0cIjEhJSkrLi4uHB8zODMs