Genghis Khan

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Genghis Khan (c.1162–1227) Conqueror and founder of the Mongol Empire, b. Temüjin. In 1206, he united Mongolia and was proclaimed Genghis Khan (‘Universal Ruler’). Organizing his cavalry into a highly mobile and disciplined squadron (ordus, hence ‘hordes’), Genghis Khan demonstrated his military genius by capturing Beijing (1215) and subjugating most of n China. He went on to create one of the largest empires ever known, by annexing Afghanistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, and invading Russia as far as Moscow. On his death, the empire divided among his sons.

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