Genghis Khanwas born approximately in the year of 1162.Hewas the founder andGreat Khan(emperor) of theMongol Empire, which became thelargestcontiguous empire in history after his demise.
He came to power by uniting many of thenomadictribesof northeast Asia. After founding the Mongol Empire and being proclaimed "Genghis Khan," he started theMongol invasionsthat resulted in the conquest of most of Eurasia. These included raids or invasions of theKara-Khitan Khanate,Caucasus,Khwarezmid Empire,Western XiaandJindynasties. These campaigns were often accompanied by wholesale massacres of the civilian populations especially in theKhwarezmiancontrolled lands. By the end of his life, the Mongol Empire occupied a substantial portion of Central Asia and China.
Before Genghis Khan died, he assignedÖgedei Khanas his successor and split his empire intokhanatesamong his sons and grandsons.[6]He died in1227after defeating the Western Xia. He was buried in anunmarked gravesomewhere in Mongolia at an unknown location. His descendants went on to stretch the Mongol Empire across most ofEurasiaby conquering or creatingvassalstates out of all of modern-day China,Korea, theCaucasus, Central Asian countries, and substantial portions of modern Eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Many of these invasions repeated the earlier large-scale slaughters of local populations. As a result Genghis Khan and his empire have a fearsome reputation in local histories.[7]
Beyond his military accomplishments, Genghis Khan also advanced the Mongol Empire in other ways. He decreed the adoption of theUyghur scriptas the Mongol Empire's writing system. He also promoted religious tolerance in the Mongol Empire, and created a unified empire from the nomadic tribes of northeast Asia. Present-day Mongolians regard him as the founding father ofMongolia.[8]
