History of Mongolia
In the Beginning:
According to archaeological evidence, the area that is now Mongolia has been inhabited for about 500,000 years. It was traditionally inhabited by nomadic herders, a way of life that lives on today in Mongolia. Many different tribes of peoples have lived in what is now Mongolia, including the Huns, Xianbi, Joujan, Uighurs and Kidans, in a time frame from about 200 BC to the 10th century, when the "Mongols" were first mentioned in Chinese writings.
According to archaeological evidence, the area that is now Mongolia has been inhabited for about 500,000 years. It was traditionally inhabited by nomadic herders, a way of life that lives on today in Mongolia. Many different tribes of peoples have lived in what is now Mongolia, including the Huns, Xianbi, Joujan, Uighurs and Kidans, in a time frame from about 200 BC to the 10th century, when the "Mongols" were first mentioned in Chinese writings.
Timeline of Key Events
1162 9or 67)-1205: Chinggis/Genghis Kahn (born Temuujin) united the Mongolian tribes, and founded the Mongolian State. This was the most successful unification of tribes ever in Mongolia, due to Khan's exemption of the poor from taxes, encouraging literacy, and ideals of free religion.
1206: Chinggis Kahn becomes the Great Khan, and starts his massive conquering quest. He succeeded in conquering or invading a larger area of land in Asia and Europe in a span of 20 or so years than the Romans ever did. |
Interesting fact: While the Mongolians had a reputation of being bloodthirsty warriors (which is true, because they did slaughter entire towns upon occasion when they went a-conquering), they were uncommonly tolerant of other country's religions. Their religion was based around the environment of their country, and they figured that since different countries had different environments, they could not be expected to have the same religion. So, at times during the reign of the Mongol Empire, one could find peoples of many different religions, including Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and Shamanists throughout the Empire.
1206- 1227: Chinggis Khan and the Mongolian Empire attack, invade or conquer the following countries and states: Tangut Empire, North China, Karachi Empire, Eastern Turkistan Khanate, Horeism Shaah State, Samarqand, Buhara, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Crimea and Russian and Bulgarian territories along the Volga and Kaman rivers. They also attempted to attack Japan, but a massive tropical storm got in the way.
1224: The Chinggis stone is erected, containing the oldest known record of Mongolian writing. 1227: Chinggis Kahn passes away. |
1260: Khubilai becomes the Khan of Mongolia, creating the Yuan Dynasty, which his descendants later join with China
1270: Khubilai Khan created schools throughout the provinces 1368: The Mongolian ruling of China failed, and led to the collapse of the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty 1370: Beginning of the Chinese domination of Mongolia 1380-1388: The Chinese invade Mongolia several times to burn the capital, Kharkhorum 1400-1460: Internal civil wars in eastern Mongolia, as well as with the Chinese |
1586:The Erdene – zuu, the first Buddhist monastery is built
1636: Manchu Qing captured inner Mongolia 1671: Soyombo script created (featured on the current Mongolian flag) 1691-1911: Mongolia is under the Manchurian Empire 1754-1758, 1870: Anti-Manchurian uprising of the Mongols 1911: Manchu domination is overthrown (see holiday Independence Day, December 11?), and Mongolia becomes and autonomous state, an independent Bogd Gegeen monarchy is formed |