Mongke Khan (January 10, 1209 - August 11, 1259 ), was the fourth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire from July 1, 1251 - August 11, 1259. He was the first Great Khan from the Toluid line. Under Mongke, the Mongols conquered Iraq and Syria as well as the Tai kingdom of Nanzhao. He made significant reforms to improve the administration of the Empire. Mongke Khan,the eldest son of Genghis Khan's youngest son Tolui, was born in 1208, the yellow dragon year. In 1251, the white pig year,he assumed the throne. He was a great statesman who made the Mongolian State the biggest empire in the world and managed to maintain its integrity. Mongke Khan died in 1258, the yellow sheep year, during his invasion to conquer China.