Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan  (IPAʧiŋgɪs χaːŋ]; Mongolian: Чингис Хаан; classic Mongolian: (see below for alternative spellings); ca. 1162–August 18, 1227) was a Mongol Khan (ruler; posthumously Khagan, emperor). Born with the name Temüüjin (Mongolian: Тэмүүжин) into the Borjigin clan, he became one of the most significant and successful military leaders in history. He united the Mongol tribes and founded the Mongol Empire (1206–1368), the largest contiguous empire in world history.

Genghis Khan is an iconic and beloved figure in Mongolia, where he is seen as the father of the Mongol Nation. On the other hand, his system of warfare is responsible for the death of many people, destruction of properties, and the ruthless annihilation of any form of resistance. As a result, in many areas of southwestern Asia, Middle East, and Europe, he is seen as a ruthless and bloodthirsty conquerer.

Before becoming a Khan, Temüüjin united many of the nomadic tribes of north East Asia and Central Asia under a new social identity as the "Mongols." Starting with the invasion of Western Xia and Jin Dynasty in northern China and consolidating through numerous conquests including the Khwarezmid Empire in Persia, Mongol rule across the Eurasian landmass radically altered the demography and geopolitics of these areas. The Mongol Empire ended up ruling, or at least briefly conquering, large parts of modern day China, Mongolia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Moldova, North Korea, South Korea, and Kuwait.

Genghis Khan died in 1227 for reasons that remain unclear. His sons and grandsons controlled the empire after his death, and the empire grew and endured for over 150 years.