1209Reputable sourceWell documented
The Conquest of Western Xia
On the timeline · around 1209 ·
What happened
Genghis Khan's first great campaign against a settled state struck the Tangut kingdom of Western Xia in northwestern China. Mongol armies raided and besieged its cities and forced its king to submit and pay tribute, giving the nomads their first taste of siege warfare against walled towns.
Why it matters
Western Xia was the proving ground where the Mongols learned to take fortified cities, a skill they would need against far greater powers. The Tanguts' later revolt would draw Genghis back for the final campaign in which he died.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Genghis Khan · Reputable source