Temüjin

Timeline

1. 1162–1170Banks of the Onon (Onon) River · Onon River basinTemüjin was born into the Borjigin family of Yesügei. He moved with his father in childhood and grew up in the nomadic environment of the eastern Mongolian Plateau, showing no sign yet of his future ability to command the tribes.
2. 1171–1175Onon River basin · Onon River basinIn 1171 Yesügei was poisoned by the Tatars, leaving Temüjin only nine years old. Tribes such as the Tayichiud immediately abandoned his family; his mother Höelün led the children through the wilderness, gathering wild berries and fishing to survive. This experience profoundly shaped Temüjin's resilient and decisive character.
3. 1176–1180Eastern Mongolian Plateau · Mongolian PlateauTemüjin formed an anda bond with Jamukha and became the adopted son of Toghrul (Wang Khan) of the Kereit. Around 1178 his wife Börte was abducted by the Merkits; Temüjin asked Wang Khan and Jamukha for troops to rescue her. After the battle he began gathering followers and distributing spoils, showing his leadership in the early phase of Mongol unification.
4. 1181–1227Mongolian Plateau · Mongolian PlateauAfter the 1180s Temüjin successively conquered the Tatars, Kereit, Naiman, and other tribes. In 1206 he held a kurultai at the source of the Onon River, was proclaimed Great Khan, took the title Genghis Khan, and laid the foundation of the Mongol Empire spanning Eurasia.