KnowraKublai KhanKublai KhanKublai Khan was a Mongol ruler who founded China’s Yuan dynasty and reigned as its emperor from 1271 to 1294.BriefConnectMongol Empire: A transcontinental empire built by Mongol conquests under Genghis Khan and his successors. Kublai governed the empire’s eastern domains during its division into rival khanates.Genghis Khan: The Mongol leader who united Mongol tribes and founded the Mongol Empire in the early thirteenth century. Kublai inherited an empire created by his grandfather’s conquests.Conquest of the Song dynasty: The Mongol campaign that ended Song rule and unified China under Yuan authority in 1279. This decisive conquest completed Kublai’s unification of China.Ariq Böke: A grandson of Genghis Khan who contested Kublai’s claim to the title of Great Khan. Their civil war determined Kublai’s dominance among Mongol rulers.Chinese imperial examination: A system of civil-service examinations used to select officials in imperial China. Kublai’s government debated and selectively used this established route into Chinese administration.Tolui: The youngest son of Genghis Khan and father of Kublai Khan. Kublai’s place in the ruling family came through Tolui’s branch.Battle of Yamen: A naval battle in 1279 that marked the final defeat of the Southern Song dynasty. The Song court’s destruction at Yamen sealed Kublai’s conquest.Chabi: Kublai Khan’s influential wife and empress, who participated in court affairs. Her political counsel and patronage helped shape Kublai’s court.Four-class system: A social hierarchy under the Yuan dynasty that ranked Mongols above other groups in China. Its rankings show how Kublai’s government differentiated populations under Yuan rule.Möngke Khan: A Mongol ruler who reigned as Great Khan from 1251 until his death in 1259. Kublai governed China for Möngke before competing to succeed him.Show all 19Linked from 42 pagesMongol successionBroader topic: His victory over Ariq Böke secured his rule without winning lasting recognition from every Mongol branch.Mongol conquest of ChinaRelated: He directed the final campaign and established Mongol rule over China.Toghon TemürNarrower topic: Toghon Temür inherited the imperial order established by this earlier Mongol ruler.JochiCompared with: His imperial base and dynastic line differed from Jochi’s western branch.MongolsBroader topic: His reign shows how Mongol rulers adapted to governing a large settled population.Mongol conquest of the Song dynastyRelated: He directed the final campaigns and established Mongol rule over China.Hongwu EmperorCompared with: Kublai founded the dynasty whose rule Hongwu overthrew.Division of the Mongol EmpireBroader topic: His court’s priorities and imperial title widened the divide with western Mongol rulers.Show all 42