A major exhibition exploring the life, conquests and legacy of Genghis Khan is now running at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, bringing 248 rare Mongolian artefacts to the United Kingdom for the first time.
Genghis Khan: How the Mongols Changed the World has been produced and is touring internationally through UK-based Nomad Exhibitions, in collaboration with the Chinggis Khaan National Museum, the Ministry of Culture of Mongolia and the Nantes History Museum in France. Drawing on Mongolia’s national collections, many of the objects have never previously left the country. The exhibition explores not only the military achievements of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire, but also their lasting influence on politics, trade, science, cartography and scientific knowledge.
Trident of the Black Banner, a 13th or 14th-century artifact on loan from the Chinggis Khaan National Museum. Photo by Thomas Smith
“There are few stories to be told that are more epic than that of the Mongol Empire,” said Tim Pethick, CEO and Founder of Nomad Exhibitions. “Working closely with our partners at the Chinggis Khaan National Museum in Mongolia and the Nantes History Museum in France our team has shaped the interpretation of this extraordinary history with original collections from Mongolian museums, and innovative multimedia techniques, alongside fascinating and insightful curation to appeal to visitors of all ages.”
During the 13th century, Genghis Khan and his successors created the largest contiguous empire in history, stretching from the shores of Japan to eastern Europe. At its height, the Mongol Empire controlled more than 22 percent of the world’s landmass, connecting societies across Eurasia through trade, diplomacy and cultural exchange. While Genghis Khan is often remembered primarily as a conqueror, the exhibition aims to present a broader picture of the empire he created, showing how a man who began life in poverty united the Mongol tribes and built a political and military power that transformed the medieval world.
Photo by Thomas Smith
Among the 248 artefacts on display are objects dating from the 1st to the 14th centuries, including medieval saddles, ceramics, inscribed coins and the largest spearhead ever discovered in Mongolia. The exhibition also explores the lives of people living under Mongol rule, including Genghis Khan’s daughter, Alakai Beki, highlighting the important political influence exercised by women within the empire.
The Royal Armouries is complementing the exhibition with a programme of summer events, including daily Mongolian horse shows.
For Nat Edwards, Director General and Master of the Armouries, the exhibition offers visitors the chance to look beyond the familiar image of Genghis Khan as a military conqueror. “Cutting across ethnic, cultural and religious distinctions, Genghis Khan forged a new political and military force, the like of which had never before been seen,” he said. “In a moment of vision and commitment, history changed and the balance of power began to shift. Today, the epic story of the Mongol Empire, brought into life through these amazing treasures, feels like something to which we should all pay attention and it’s an honour to bring this exhibition to the Royal Armouries.”
Photo by Thomas Smith
The exhibition is the second major presentation to be staged in the Royal Armouries Museum’s new special exhibitions gallery, following the success of Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum in 2025. The gallery forms the first completed project within the museum’s Armouries 700 masterplan, a long-term initiative intended to revitalise the Leeds Dock and South Bank area.
Genghis Khan: How the Mongols Changed the World is on display at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds until 1 November 2026. Click here to learn more about it.
A major exhibition exploring the life, conquests and legacy of Genghis Khan is now running at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, bringing 248 rare Mongolian artefacts to the United Kingdom for the first time.
Genghis Khan: How the Mongols Changed the World has been produced and is touring internationally through UK-based Nomad Exhibitions, in collaboration with the Chinggis Khaan National Museum, the Ministry of Culture of Mongolia and the Nantes History Museum in France. Drawing on Mongolia’s national collections, many of the objects have never previously left the country. The exhibition explores not only the military achievements of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire, but also their lasting influence on politics, trade, science, cartography and scientific knowledge.
“There are few stories to be told that are more epic than that of the Mongol Empire,” said Tim Pethick, CEO and Founder of Nomad Exhibitions. “Working closely with our partners at the Chinggis Khaan National Museum in Mongolia and the Nantes History Museum in France our team has shaped the interpretation of this extraordinary history with original collections from Mongolian museums, and innovative multimedia techniques, alongside fascinating and insightful curation to appeal to visitors of all ages.”
During the 13th century, Genghis Khan and his successors created the largest contiguous empire in history, stretching from the shores of Japan to eastern Europe. At its height, the Mongol Empire controlled more than 22 percent of the world’s landmass, connecting societies across Eurasia through trade, diplomacy and cultural exchange. While Genghis Khan is often remembered primarily as a conqueror, the exhibition aims to present a broader picture of the empire he created, showing how a man who began life in poverty united the Mongol tribes and built a political and military power that transformed the medieval world.
Among the 248 artefacts on display are objects dating from the 1st to the 14th centuries, including medieval saddles, ceramics, inscribed coins and the largest spearhead ever discovered in Mongolia. The exhibition also explores the lives of people living under Mongol rule, including Genghis Khan’s daughter, Alakai Beki, highlighting the important political influence exercised by women within the empire.
The Royal Armouries is complementing the exhibition with a programme of summer events, including daily Mongolian horse shows.
For Nat Edwards, Director General and Master of the Armouries, the exhibition offers visitors the chance to look beyond the familiar image of Genghis Khan as a military conqueror. “Cutting across ethnic, cultural and religious distinctions, Genghis Khan forged a new political and military force, the like of which had never before been seen,” he said. “In a moment of vision and commitment, history changed and the balance of power began to shift. Today, the epic story of the Mongol Empire, brought into life through these amazing treasures, feels like something to which we should all pay attention and it’s an honour to bring this exhibition to the Royal Armouries.”
The exhibition is the second major presentation to be staged in the Royal Armouries Museum’s new special exhibitions gallery, following the success of Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum in 2025. The gallery forms the first completed project within the museum’s Armouries 700 masterplan, a long-term initiative intended to revitalise the Leeds Dock and South Bank area.
Genghis Khan: How the Mongols Changed the World is on display at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds until 1 November 2026. Click here to learn more about it.
Top Image: Mongol saddle, 13th-14th century – photo by Thomas Smith
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