Genghis Khan's grandson was called Kublai Khan. When he became the leader of Mongols he moved from the windswept steppes of Central Asia to rule the most splendid court in the world, in China. At this time, China was the most sophisticated, technologically advanced country in the world. Kublai Khan's armies overthrew the ruling Song dynasty in China. By 1279 he controlled most of the country. He founded he Yuan dynasty in China which lasted till 1368. Yuan means "origin of universe".
Kublai was taught the art of warfare from a young age and, while still a boy, became a skilled fighter, hunter and horseman. He was exposed to Chinese culture and philosophy, for which he developed an affinity that would stay with him and inform many of his decisions later in life. When his brother Möngke became the Great Khan in 1251 after death of Guyuk, he placed Kublai in charge of northern China while he set out to conquer their enemies to the south. In addition to the learning and customs of the population under his control, Kublai appointed Chinese advisers. He also helped his brother expand the empire with successful military campaigns of his own.
In 1259, while locked in battle with the Song in southern China, Kublai received word that Möngke had been killed in battle. Soon after he learned that his younger brother Ariq Böke had consolidated power at the Mongolian capital of Karakorum and called a meeting of royal families who named him Great Khan. With his own designs on the throne, Kublai forged a truce with the Song and returned home, where he disputed his brother’s claim and had himself named Great Khan in 1260. It lead to raise of civil war between the two. Eventually Kublai became victorious in 1264. Ariq Böke surrendered in Shangdu (also known as Xanadu) to Kublai, who spared his life.
Kublai Khan was a fair ruler and a brilliant general. He strengthened his empire by building long roads to far territories. He organised charity for the sick and food supply during famine. He tried to invade Japan twice, without success. For his respect for Chinese culture, Kublai Khan moved the capital of the empire from Karakorum to Dadu, modern-day Beijing, and ruled through an administrative structure more in keeping with local tradition. His rule was distinguished by its improvements in infrastructure, religious tolerance, use of paper money as the primary means of exchange and trade expansion with the West.
By 1279,Kublai Khan had definitively conquered the Song and he became the first Mongol to rule the whole of China. In celebration of his newly expanded empire, Kublai Khan declared a new Yuan Dynasty, of which he was the first and most successful ruler.
After his death in 1294, the might mongol empire started t decline and by the end of mid 1300's it had already broken up. In 1369, Timur made himself the ruler of Samarkhand in central asia. He set out to recreate mongol empire. and conquered Persia, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and part of Russia. In 1397, he invaded India and died on the way to China in 1405.
Kublai was taught the art of warfare from a young age and, while still a boy, became a skilled fighter, hunter and horseman. He was exposed to Chinese culture and philosophy, for which he developed an affinity that would stay with him and inform many of his decisions later in life. When his brother Möngke became the Great Khan in 1251 after death of Guyuk, he placed Kublai in charge of northern China while he set out to conquer their enemies to the south. In addition to the learning and customs of the population under his control, Kublai appointed Chinese advisers. He also helped his brother expand the empire with successful military campaigns of his own.
Kublai Khan was a fair ruler and a brilliant general. He strengthened his empire by building long roads to far territories. He organised charity for the sick and food supply during famine. He tried to invade Japan twice, without success. For his respect for Chinese culture, Kublai Khan moved the capital of the empire from Karakorum to Dadu, modern-day Beijing, and ruled through an administrative structure more in keeping with local tradition. His rule was distinguished by its improvements in infrastructure, religious tolerance, use of paper money as the primary means of exchange and trade expansion with the West.
By 1279,Kublai Khan had definitively conquered the Song and he became the first Mongol to rule the whole of China. In celebration of his newly expanded empire, Kublai Khan declared a new Yuan Dynasty, of which he was the first and most successful ruler.
After his death in 1294, the might mongol empire started t decline and by the end of mid 1300's it had already broken up. In 1369, Timur made himself the ruler of Samarkhand in central asia. He set out to recreate mongol empire. and conquered Persia, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and part of Russia. In 1397, he invaded India and died on the way to China in 1405.
