Genghis Khan (help·info) (IPA: [ʧiŋgɪs χaːŋ]) (Mongolian: Чингис Хаан, Chinggis Khaan, Činggis Qaɣan), c. 1162–1227), born Temüjin (help·info) (meaning "ironworker"), was the Mongol founer, Khan (ruler) and posthumously declared Khagan (emperor) of the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous empire in history.