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.

1. ↑ Davis, Paul K., and Stanley Sandler. "Kublai Khan." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
2. ↑ Buell, Paul D.“Kublai Khan.” Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. Gale, 2003. Biography in Context. 27 Feb. 2013.
3. ↑ Davis, Richard L. "Kublai Khan." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2013. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.