Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AD 552-744
Succession of two Turkic empires whose greatest ruler is Bilge Khan. Following his death in 734,
a monument is erected near Lake Ögii.
744-840
The Uighur empire occupies central Mongolia until it's expelled by the Kyrgyz tribe; the Uighur
move south into western China and control the Silk Route for nearly 1000 years.
1162
Birth of Temujin, the child destined to become Chinggis Khaan, near the Onon River. According
to legend, Temujin emerges with a blood clot clutched in his fist.
1204
Chinggis Khaan establishes the Mongolian state script based on the Uighur alphabet; it has
Semitic origins but is written vertically from top to bottom.
1206
Chinggis Khaan calls a massive conclave at Kherlen Gol and creates his empire - he calls it the
Great Mongol Nation.
1235
Ögedei Khaan completes the imperial capital at Karakorum. In addition to a great palace, the
city has Muslim mosques, Christian churches and Buddhist temples.
1258
Mongolian soldiers destroy Baghdad and kill some 100,000 people. The siege marks the end of
the 500-year-old Abbasid Caliphate.
1260
The end of Mongol expansion with their defeat by the Mamluk army of Egypt at the Battle of Ayn
Al-Jalut near the Sea of Galilee.
1271
Kublai Khaan claims the office of great khan and also makes himself Emperor of China by
founding the Yuan dynasty.
1368
