Death of Genghis Khan

Timeline

1. 1227Front lines of the Western Xia campaign · Within Western XiaIn 1227 the Mongol army continued the siege of Western Xia; Genghis Khan fell ill on campaign and grew steadily worse. According to the History of Yuan and other sources he died in the army campaigning against Xia; historians offer various causes, including a fall from a horse aggravating an old injury or epidemic disease.
2. 1227Liupan Mountain · GuyuanGenghis Khan left three orders on his deathbed: completely destroy Western Xia, continue the war under Tolui as supreme commander, and in future ally with Song against Jin. He also designated his youngest son Tolui as regent, with his sons and generals dividing command of the tribes, ensuring a smooth transition of imperial power.
3. 1227In the army campaigning against Western Xia · Western XiaThe Mongol generals kept the death secret per his orders, using an empty cart-mounted tent to pretend Genghis Khan was still in camp while continuing to direct the campaign to destroy Xia. Only after Western Xia was completely destroyed was the death announced; the coffin was then escorted north and buried at Khentii Mountain (Qinian Valley), and the burial site remains a mystery to this day.