Mongol Empire 1206–1691
EMPIRE/DYNASTY/PRINCIPALITIES
1 1206–1260s
Mongol Empire
EVENTS
1200
1
2 1271–1368
Yuan dynasty of China
3 1368–1634
Northern Yuan dynasty
4 1543–1691
1250
2
Independent principalities
1300
1350
3
1400
1450
1500
4
A Mongol archer from the army of
Kublai Khan (reigned 1260–1294). It
was the Mongols’ skill in archery and
cavalry tactics that led to their huge
conquests.
1550
1600
1206 Temujin completes unification of Mongol people
into Mongol state and rules as Genghis Khan to 1227.
During his reign, Genghis Khan sets out on a series of
conquests. Ih Zasag (code of laws) introduced
1211–1215 Mongols conquer Chin dynasty’s
northern domains (including what is now Beijing),
gaining control of Silk Road and part of Hsi Hsia
kingdom
1220 Construction of Karakorum, Mongol Empire’s
capital begins
1227 Hsi Hsia kingdom fully conquered. Death of
Genghis Khan. Empire divided into four realms
between sons: Zuchi, Chagatai, Ogodei, and Tului
1229 Ogodei created Great Khan (overlord of whole
empire) by Hurildai (great Mongol assembly). Ogodei
reigns until 1241
1230 Mongols invade Persia
1234 Mongols totally conquer Chin dynasty in northern
China
1237–1242 Mongol invasions of Europe and Russia
1256 Khanates of Golden Horde and Il Khans
established
1260s Mongol khanates become independent states
1260–1294 Reign of Kublai Khan over Mongol Empire.
Mongol Empire reaches its greatest extent before
breaking up into independent states
1264 Khanbalik (modern Beijing) established as capital
of Mongol Empire
1271 Kublai Khan establishes Yuan dynasty in China
over Empire of Great Khan (eastern realm of former
Mongol Empire)
1279 Mongols conquer Southern Sung
1320–1370 Reign of Yuan emperor and Northern Yuan
king Togstomor
1368 Chinese Ming dynasty overthrows Mongol rule.
End of Yuan dynasty of China. Mongol Northern Yuan
dynasty established by Togstomor at Karakorum
1388–1433 Chaotic period in Mongolia: rival factions
fight each other for supremacy
1433–1451 Reign of Northern Yuan king Taisung Khan.
Reunites much of Mongolia
1451 After Taisung’s death, Mongolia begins to
fragment again
1479 Northern Yuan boy-king Dayan Khan ascends
throne. Mongolian political unity achieved by Mandhai
Setsen, dowager queen and regent
1543 Empire fragments on death of Dayan Khan into
independent principalities
1543–1583 Reign of great Mongol prince Altan Khan,
grandson of Dayan Khan
1605–1634 Reign of last Northern Yuan king Ligden
Khan over remaining Northern Yuan territories
1636 Princes of “Inner” Mongolia acknowledge Ch’ing
(Manchu) rule
1650
1688 Princes of “Outer” Mongolia acknowledge Ch’ing
rule
1691 Ch’ing dynasty formally annexes Mongolia
1700