[Picture: Genghis Khan] Genghis Khan born Temüjin, was the Mongol founder, Khan (ruler) and posthumously declared Khagan (emperor ) of the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous empire in history. Temujin came to power by uniting many of the nomadic tribes of northeast Asia in largely modern-day Mongolia. After founding the Mongol Empire and being proclaimed "Genghis Khan", he pursued an aggressive foreign policy by starting the Mongol invasions of East and Central Asia. During his life, the Mongol Empire eventually occupied most of northeast and Central Asia. Genghis Khan died in 1227 after defeating the Tanguts. He was buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in his native Mongolia. His descendants went on to stretch the Mongol Empire across most of Eurasia, conquering all of modern-day China, as well as substantial portions of modern Russia, southern Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.