How was Genghis Khan finally defeated? What happened to his empire? Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, died in 1227, and there isn’t a single event or battle that can be described as his final defeat. Genghis Khan’s death was likely the result of injuries sustained in battle or from falling off his horse. After his death, his empire continued to expand under the leadership of his descendants.

Genghis Khan was succeeded by his son Ögedei Khan, who continued the conquests and expansion of the Mongol Empire. The empire reached its zenith under Kublai Khan, Genghis Khan’s grandson, who completed the conquest of China and established the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368).

The Mongol Empire eventually faced internal strife, with conflicts among Genghis Khan’s descendants over succession and power. The vastness of the empire also made it challenging to govern effectively. Additionally, external factors such as the spread of the Black Death and the emergence of new political entities weakened Mongol rule.

By the late 14th century, the Mongol Empire had fragmented into several smaller khanates, including the Golden Horde in Europe, the Chagatai Khanate in Central Asia, the Ilkhanate in the Middle East, and the Yuan Dynasty in China. Each of these regions developed its own political and cultural identity. Over time, these khanates faced further decline due to internal conflicts, external pressures, and changing geopolitical dynamics.

The Yuan Dynasty in China was overthrown by the Ming Dynasty in 1368, marking the end of Mongol rule in that region. The Golden Horde disintegrated in the 15th century, and the Chagatai Khanate succumbed to internal divisions and external pressures. The Ilkhanate collapsed in the mid-14th century.

In summary, Genghis Khan was not defeated in a single decisive battle; rather, his empire continued to expand after his death and eventually faced internal and external challenges that led to its fragmentation and decline over the subsequent centuries.