Kublai Khan was the greatest of the Mongol emperors after Genghis Khan and founder of the Yan

Dynasty in China. He was a wise ruler and was able to lead a vast empire of nations by adapting different traditions to his own government.

By: Patrick Luz, Paolo Capati, Jai Sanchez, Paul Majarocon

Born in Mongolia, died in China Temple name: SHIZU AKA: Setsen Khan or Wise Khan was the fifth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire from 1260 to 1294 Founder of the Yuan Dynasty in E. Asia

Kublai Khan is a Mongol dreamer, visionary, and ruler during the 13th century. He desired to unite different religions, nationalities, and cultures together under the Yuan empire.
Even if he was Mongolian by birth, he was a great sympathizer for the Chinese people. Even though he didnt always trust them. He was fascinated with their culture, traditions, and art. He conformed to the Chinese ways.

Kublai Khan was the son of Toluia and Sorghaghtani Beki and the grandson of the famous Genghis Khan. When the eldest son Mongke gained the throne, Kublai, the next in line, showed his own military strength and was given great responsibilities. After a religious battle between Buddhists and Taoists led to the death of Mongke, Kublai was given the throne. However, Kublais younger brother, Arigh Boki, with the help of support of several Mongols, challenged the throne. Kublai won over Boki when he cut off supplies to the southern empire.
Kublai was claimed "Great Khan" in the North in 1260. He showed tolerance towards the religions of his new subjects and because of his leniency, a relationship formed between him and his people.

Genghis Khan, the grandfather of Kublai

established paper currency

increased the use of postal stations providing religious freedom

reorganized and improved roads expanded waterways (the Grand Canal)

started aid agencies

Kublai Khan conformed to the Chinese way so much, that it insulted the Mongols, to the point that they began to cause problems for the great khan. Kublai Khan had to further push his kingdom into other lands by capturing the Sung dynasty of southern China. Soon, he was controlling all of China and he made many other countries pay tribute to him, as well.

Even conquering other lands and dynasties was not enough for the Mongols. During this time, his reign was getting more troubled. The Golden Horde had allied with Egyptian Caliphate in 1262 to war against the Mongols in Middle East. In 1274 and 1281 the Mongols failed to take Japan. All the wars had caused enormous financial problems and inflation of the his paper currency in China. The financial problems occured between the Chinese and the other ethnic groups. In 1283 the Golden Horde converted to Islam.

The Yuan Dynasty failed, with the death of Kublai Khan due to many factors. He was torn between establishing a stable country and following the traditional nomadic ways of his people. Kublai was eventually syndicated and his Mongolian influenced government battled between their ways and the demands of the Chinese. In 1281, the deaths of Kublais favorite wife and the thrones next heir sent him into depression. Consequently, with a declining government in his hands and an ache in his heart, Kublai became an obese drunkard and died at the age of 79. He was a miserable, disheartened elderly man. Regardless of Kublai Khans demise, the Yuan Dynasty made a lasting impact on China and established the legacy of The Great Khan.

In conclusion, Kublai Khan was a brilliant visionary in many ways, who dreamed of something more for China. He promoted the peaceful toleration between many different religions, cultures, and languages during his lifetime. He is remembered for all of his extraordinary works accomplished during the Yuan Dynasty. However, sadly his life ended in personal failure.