Time Line

I2o6  The Mongols elect Temujin as their leader, and he takes the name Chinggis Khan.

I209  Chinggis leads his first foreign invasions, against the Tanguts of Xixia.

I2i8  The Mongols launch their first major attack in the West, invading Khorazm.

I227  Chinggis Khan dies.

I229  Chinggis’s son Ogedei is named the new Great Khan.

I234  The Mongols defeat the Jin Empire of northern China.

1237-1240 The Mongols establish control over northwest Russia, which is later known as the Kipchak Khanate or Golden Horde.

1242  The western campaign in Europe ends after the death of Ogedei.

1256  Hulegu begins the Mongol conquest of Persia, leading to the creation of the Ilkhanate.

1260  Khubilai Khan is chosen as the fifth Great Khan. A defeat in Syria ends the Mongols’

Westward drive across the Middle East.

1271  Khubilai Khan claims the title of emperor of China and founds the Yuan Dynasty.

1279  Khubilai Khan defeats the Song and reunites northern and southern China.

1294  Khubilai Khan dies. His grandson Temur Oljeitu becomes the Great Khan.

1295  The Ilkhan Ghazan converts to Islam.

1334  The Ulus Chaghatai begins to split in half.

1335  Abu Said, the last Ilkhan, dies. The Ilkhanate breaks up.

1360  The Golden Horde breaks up.

1368  The Yuan Dynasty is replaced by the Ming Dynasty, ending Mongol rule in China.

1370  Tamerlane rises to power in the Ulus Chaghatai.

1380  Russians defeat the Golden Horde at Kulikovo Pole.

1395  Tamerlane defeats Toqtamish, severely weakening the Golden Horde’s rule in Russia.

1405 Tamerlane dies before his planned invasion of China.

1480 Ivan the Great of Moscow defies the Golden Horde.

1504  Babur, a descendant of Tamerlane and Chinggis, begins the conquests that lead to the

Founding of the Mughal Empire of India.