Yuan Dynasty

Yuan Dynasty

Statue of Genghis Khan
Statue of Genghis Khan

Since the late period of the 12th century, an ethnic minority group called Mongolian had grown up in the northern areas of China. In 1204, one of the leaders of the Mongolian tribes, Tiemuzhen, unified all the internal tribes. Two years later, Tiemuzhen was honored as Genghis Khan (meaning - the ruler of the world) and soon established the Mongolian Empire. Successively, it captured Xixia and the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234), after which the combative Mongolian army sent its military forces into Central Asia and Europe.

In 1260, the grandson of Tiemuzhen, Kublai Khan, ascended the throne. In 1271, he formally established the Yuan Dynasty with Yuandadu (currently Beijing) as the capital. (The new dynasty was not territorially the former Mongolian Empire as three parts had broken away before the new dynasty was founded.)
In 1276, not long after the founding of the dynasty, Kublai Khan led his army, capturing the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 - 1279) and thus he unified the entire China.
 

Genghis Khan's Mausoleum, Baotou, Inner Mongolia
Genghis Khan's Mausoleum, 
Baotou, Inner Mongolia

At that time, Yuan's territory stretched to Mongolia and Siberia in the north, the South Sea in the south, Yunnan Province and Tibet in the southwest, eastern part of Xinjiang Province in the northwest and the Stanovoi Range in the northeast. The total area of the country was over 4.6 million square miles.

As a mighty state, the Yuan Dynasty enjoyed economic development and prospered in the fields of science and literature. The economy was mainly based on agriculture. The agricultural techniques used were superior to those of previous dynasties and food output increased. Additionally, the use of paper currency stimulated the development of commerce. Meanwhile, trade with foreign countries was greatly  encouraged following an open policy adopted by the rulers. In the area of science, astronomy, mathematics and medicine reached a very high level. In literature, the Yuan drama, along with the Tang poem and 'ci' poem of the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), was considered another heritage of Chinese literature.
 

Nadam Fair on Gegentala Grassland, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia
Nadam Fair on Gegentala 
Grassland, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia

During the glorious period, diplomatic activities with foreign countries were quite frequent with many foreign envoys, merchants and travelers traversing the sea to come to China. Among them, the famous Italian merchant Marco Polo was a successful cultural transmitter who wrote the historic travel notes, The Travels of Marco Polo, informing the West about China.

In the late period, the internal contradictions of the ruling class, serious natural disasters, and unreasonable grading system together aroused the indignation of the people. In 1367, the rebel army led by Zhu Yuanzhang captured the Yuan capital, ending the ever mighty Yuan regime.


Emperors

Order
Name
Notes
Period of Reign
1 Taizu
(Borjigin Temujin)
Also known as Genghis Khan the great military leader; Temujin founded the great Mongolian Empire, with his territory stretching across the entire Eurasian Continent. 1206 - 1227
2 Ruizong
(Borjigin Tolui)
The fourth son of Temujin, he governed the empire for two years after Temujin died 1227 - 1229
3 Taizong
(Borjigin Ögedei)
The third son of Temujin; during his reign, he formed an alliance with the Southern Song to fight against Jin (1115 - 1234). 1229 - 1241
4 Empress Zhaoci
(Töregene Khâtûn)
After the death of Taizong, a grandson of Temujin was due to succeed the throne, but the empress Zhaoci usurped the throne. 1241 - 1246
5 Dingzong
(Borjigin Güyük)
The eldest son of Taizong 1246 - 1248
6 Empress Qinshu
(Oghul Ghaymish)
Empress of Dingzong; she ruled for three years after the death of Dingzong . 1248 - 1251
7 Xianzong
(Borjigin Möngke)
During his reign, the Yuan army began to fight against the Southern Song (1127 - 1279). In 1259, he died while on march. 1251 - 1259
Yuan Emperors
8 Yuan Shizu
(Borjigin Kublai)
Grandson of Genghis Khan, and founder of the Yuan Dynasty. He moved the capital to Beijing and settled there. In 1279, he defeated the Southern Song (960 - 1279). 1260 - 1294
9 Yuan Chengzong (Borjigin Temür) Grandson of Kublai Khan; a conventional emperor 1295 - 1307
10 Yuan Wuzong
(Borjigin Qayshan)
Nephew of Chengzong 1308 - 1311
11 Yuan Renzong
(Borjigin Ayurparibhadra)
Younger brother of Wuzong; he ascended the throne after Wuzong died 1312 - 1320
12 Yuan Yingzong
(Borjigin Suddhipala)
Son of Renzong; he was killed by political enemies in a coup. 1321 - 1323
13 Taiding Di
(Borjigin Yesün-Temür)
Grandson of Kublai Khan; an unremarkable emperor 1324 - 1328
14 Tianshun Di
(Borjigin Arigaba)
The youngest son of Taiding Di; he was placed on the throne following a coup, but ruled for only a month. 1328
15 Yuan Wenzong
(Borjigin Toq-Temür)
The second son of Wuzong; he died of illness in 1332. 1328 - 1332
16 Yuan Mingzong
(Borjigin Qoshila)
The eldest son of Wuzhong; He was poisoned by Wenzong and reigned for only eight months. 1329
17 Yuan Ningzong
(Borjigin Irinchibal)
The second son of Mingzong; after ruling for less than two months, he died of illness. 1332
18 Yuan Huizong
(Borjigin Toghan-Temür)
The eldest son of Mingzong; during his reign, the Hongjinjun Uprising broke out and subsequently the capital was captured by Zhu Yuanzhang. 1333 - 1368
- Last updated on Jan. 22, 2022 -
Questions & Answers on Yuan Dynasty
Asked by chicken from UNITED STATES | Oct. 17, 2018 16:03Reply
What did the Yuan Emperors do to make Yuan better?
Answers (4)
Answered by Daina from NEW ZEALAND | Oct. 17, 2018 19:39
00Reply


The biggest achievement of the Yuan Emperors is that they unified the China again and strengthened the military force of the whole country.
Answered by M from CHINA | May. 10, 2019 00:06
00Reply


The Yuan Dynasty attaches great importance to commerce and gains great reputation internationally.
Answered by Unknown | Jan. 22, 2022 04:12
00Reply


The Yuan Dynasty was the result of southward conquests of the Mongol Empire. Kublai Khan, Genghis Khan's grandson, won a Mongol civil war and moved China's capital to Dadu (now Beijing), establishing the Yuan Dynasty.Kublai's empire was the first to use paper money as the main currency.
Answered by Unknown | Jan. 22, 2022 04:14
00Reply


I only know this because I am doing a report, that I chose to do on China's history, because it is very fascinating to me. I hope you know that I am only 10 years old. So don't come after me.
Asked by Arnold from SWITZERLAND | May. 10, 2016 12:22Reply
How was daily life for the Chinese people affected by the Yuan Dynasty?
Answers (2)
Answered by Sally from CANADA | May. 10, 2016 20:57
73Reply


Rulers of this period valued business and implemented many policies to develop the trade both nationwide and worldwide. Economical power of that time was quite strong and people's living condition was improved.
Answered by Unknown | Jan. 22, 2022 04:15
00Reply


Parts of the Chinese culture continued to flourish during the Yuan Dynasty. The Yuan rulers encouraged advancement in technology and transportation. They also encouraged arts such as ceramics, painting, and drama. In some ways the Mongols became more like the Chinese over time.
Asked by Tim from EGYPT | May. 09, 2016 12:10Reply
How did the yuan dynasty and their inventions influence European and Asian cultures?
Answers (1)
Answered by Pound from CHINA | May. 09, 2016 21:17
46Reply


The inventions were delivered to European and Asian countries via the Silk Road. The advanced technology, such as compass, gun powder, agricultural skills of that time brought great progress in their social development.
Asked by Tate from USA | May. 04, 2016 12:33Reply
How was trade affected by Yuan dynasty?
Answers (1)
Answered by Arnold from AUSTRALIA | May. 04, 2016 20:59
219Reply


With the open up of maritime route at that time, the domestic and international trade was largely developed. Quanzhou was the largest trading port during that period. There always moored hundreds of merchant ships transporting products to the foreign countries.
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