Külüg Khan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emperor Wuzong of Yuan Külüg Khan
7th Khagan of the Mongol Empire (Nominal due to the empire's division) Emperor of China (3rd Emperor of the Yuan dynasty)
Portrait of Külüg Khan (Emperor Wuzong), from the Yuan era.
Emperor of the Yuan dynasty
Reign	21 June 1307 – 27 January 1311
Coronation	21 June 1307
Predecessor	Temür Khan
Successor	Ayurbarwada Buyantu Khan
Born	4 August 1281 Khanbaliq, Yuan China
Died	27 January 1311 (aged 29) Khanbaliq, Yuan China
Empress	Empress Zhenge of Khongirad clan ​ (m. 1310)​ Empress Sugeshili of Khongirad clan ​ (m. 1310)​
Full name Mongolian:ᠬᠠᠶᠢᠰᠠᠩ Chinese: 海山 Qayisan/Khayishan Era dates Zhida (至大) 1308–1311 Regnal name Emperor Tongtian Jisheng Qinwen Yingwu Dazhang Xiao (統天繼聖欽文英武大章孝皇帝); Külüg Khan (ᠬᠦᠯᠦᠭ ᠬᠠᠭᠠᠨ; 曲律汗) Posthumous name Emperor Renhui Xuanxiao (仁惠宣孝皇帝) Temple name Wuzong (武宗)
House	Borjigin
Dynasty	Yuan
Father	Darmabala
Mother	Dagi Khatun
Religion	Buddhism

Külüg Khan (born Khayishan, meaning "wall" in Mongolian) was an important emperor of the Yuan dynasty in China. He was also known by his temple name as Emperor Wuzong of Yuan. Born on August 4, 1281, he ruled from 1307 until his death on January 27, 1311. He was considered the seventh Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, even though the empire was already divided. His special name "Külüg Khan" means "warrior Khan" or "fine horse Khan" in the Mongolian language.

Early Life and Military Successes

Khayishan was the first son of Prince Darmabala and Dagi Khatun. He had a younger brother named Ayurbarwada. As a young prince, Khayishan was sent to Mongolia. His job was to lead an army and defend the western borders of the Yuan dynasty. He fought against a powerful leader named Kaidu, who was a ruler in Central Asia.

In 1289, Khayishan's army faced a tough battle. A brave commander named Tutugh saved him from being captured by Kaidu's forces. In 1301, Khayishan directly fought Kaidu. Kaidu was badly wounded in this battle and later died. This was a huge victory for Khayishan. Because of his great success, he was given the special title of Prince Huaining in 1304.

Khayishan continued his military achievements. In 1306, he forced another prince, Melig Temür, to surrender in the Altai Mountains. These victories made him very well-known and respected among Mongol princes and soldiers. Since his uncle, Emperor Temür Khan, had no sons, Khayishan became a strong candidate to be the next emperor.

Becoming Emperor

When Emperor Temür Khan died in 1307, Khayishan returned to Karakorum in Mongolia. He watched the situation closely. Temür's widow, Empress Bulugan, tried to prevent Khayishan and his brother Ayurbarwada from becoming emperor. She wanted to put another prince, Ananda, on the throne. Ananda was a popular prince and had a large army.

However, some powerful officials and princes supported Khayishan. They arrested Ananda and Bulugan. Khayishan then decided to hold his coronation ceremony in Shangdu. This was a special place where his great-grandfather, Kublai Khan, had also been crowned. Khayishan marched south with thirty thousand soldiers. His younger brother Ayurbarwada welcomed him and stepped aside, allowing Khayishan to become emperor. Before his coronation, Ananda and Bulugan were executed.

Khayishan officially became emperor at Shangdu on June 21, 1307. After becoming emperor, he made his younger brother Ayurbarwada the heir. They made a promise that their descendants would take turns ruling the empire.

His Time as Emperor

The division of the Mongol Empire around 1300.

Soon after Külüg Khan became emperor, he showed his support for education. He had an important Chinese book, the Classic of Filial Piety, translated into the Mongolian language. Copies were then given out across the empire. He also gave many generous gifts to the princes and officials who attended his coronation.

The emperor spent a lot of money on building Buddhist temples in the capital cities of Dadu and Shangdu. He greatly favored Buddhism. He even made a rule that if Buddhist monks made mistakes, they should not be punished, unless it affected the Yuan dynasty. However, he was also the first emperor to tax the lands owned by Buddhist monks and followers of Taoism, which had been tax-free before.

Külüg Khan appointed his younger brother Ayurbarwada as the Crown Prince. He also gave many noble titles to princes and Mongol aristocrats. This made him popular among them. However, his generous spending caused financial problems for the government. To fix this, he brought back a special government department called the Department of State Affairs. This department handled money matters. He also tried to control the prices of goods like salt.

He tried to introduce new paper money and even copper coins to help the economy. However, these plans did not fully solve the financial difficulties during his short rule. Many Chinese officials and common people were not happy with these changes.

Külüg Khan relied heavily on the commanders and loyal followers he brought from Mongolia. He gave them important jobs in the government. He also favored non-Mongol groups like the Kipchaks and the Asud.

During his reign, the Yuan dynasty completed its control over Sakhalin island in 1308. This meant the local Ainu people accepted the Yuan dynasty's rule. In 1308, other Mongol princes from the Khanate of Ögedei also submitted to Külüg Khan. This finally ended a long-standing threat to the Yuan dynasty.

Death

Külüg Khan died suddenly on January 27, 1311, after ruling for less than four years. After his death, his younger brother Ayurbarwada became emperor. However, some powerful groups, including Külüg Khan's mother Dagi, removed officials who had supported Külüg Khan. They also broke the promise that Külüg Khan's son would become the next Crown Prince. Külüg Khan's sons, Kuśala and Tugh Temür, were sent away from the central government. This caused unhappiness among Külüg Khan's loyal generals, which led to more political struggles later on.

Family

Empress Sugeshili (on left) and Empress Zhenge (on right)

Parents

• Darmabala (1264 – 1292)
• Dagi Khatun (1262 – 1322)

Wives and Children

• Empress Zhenge (1285–1327)
• Empress Sugeshili, who was a cousin of Zhenge
• Concubine Yiqilie
  • Khutughtu, who later became Emperor Mingzong (1300 – 1329)
• Concubine Tangwu (from the Tanguts)
  • Jayaatu, who later became Emperor Wenzong (1304 – 1332)

See also

• List of emperors of the Yuan dynasty
• List of Mongol rulers
• List of rulers of China