Kublai Khan
Kublai Khan (23 Sept. 1215 - 18 Feb. 1294) was a Mongol khan, or military ruler, who brought the Mongol Empire to its greatest height. He finished the invasion of China and was also the founder of the Yuan Dynasty. He lived during the 13th century AD. Kublai Khan was the grandson of the great Mongol king Genghis Khan.
Kublai Khan was born to Tolui Khan, and his wife Sorghaghtani. While growing up, he participated in campaigns with his father, until he was 17 when his father died.[1] He had also participated in campaigns with his older brother. When his brother died in 1259, Kublai had to fight against his younger brother to become Great Khan even though he was next in line to rule.[2]
Kublai led armies against the Song Dynasty and took over most of China and much of Asia.[3] As the first foreigner to rule all of China, he established the Yuan Dynasty, which had Chinese ideas but Mongolian roots.
Kublai Khan Media
Portrait of young Kublai by Araniko, a Nepali artist in Kublai's court
"The Emperor Kublai Khan in a tower carried by four elephants on the day of the battle". French engraving, 18th century.
Kublai Khan was chosen by his many supporters to become the next Great Khan at the Grand Kurultai in the year 1260. *Kublai Khan and His Empress Enthroned, from a Jami al-Twarikh (or Chingiznama).
Kublai Khan in the Catalan Atlas (1375). The caption reads:"The most powerful prince of the Tartars is named Holubeim [Kubilay Khan], that means Great Khan. This emperor is richer than any other emperor in the world. This emperor is protected by twelve thousand horsemen with their four captains that stay at the court three months of the year."
Painting of Kublai Khan on a hunting expedition, by Han Chinese court artist Liu Guandao, c. 1280.
Extract of the letter of Arghun to Philip IV of France, in the Mongolian script, dated 1289. French National Archives.
The Yuan dynasty of China, c. 1294
Chinese opera flourished during Yuan China.
Niccolò, Maffeo and Marco Polo at the court of Kublai Khan; painting by Tranquillo Cremona, 1863
The "Muslim trebuchet" (or Huihui Pao) used to breach the walls of Fancheng and Xiangyang.
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References
- ↑ Davis, Paul K., and Stanley Sandler. "Kublai Khan." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Buell, Paul D.“Kublai Khan.” Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. Gale, 2003. Biography in Context. 27 Feb. 2013.
- ↑ Davis, Richard L. "Kublai Khan." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2013. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.