Historical Research On Mongolian Politics In Early Period Of Northern Yuan

In a year of1271, Kublai Khaan officially proclaimed Great Yuan Dynasty "Tai Yuan Great Mongol Empire"6which helped Mongolians to become dominant in the territory of China. However, the civil riot of Chinese people against the domination of Mongolians became more powerful in the mid14th century. Eventually after20years of hard fight they were able to crash Great Yuan Dynasty in1368. Thus rule of Mongolians over China that lasted a century fell down. However, authorities of Mongolia were against the collapse of Mongolian dominance in China and had been fighting for reestablishing their rule for20years. Especially, Bilegt Khaan was holding a strong policy and activities to reestablish their dominance in China. Because of his persistent work all Mongolians were united under one goal and there was a hope to approach their goal. One of the people who played a crucial role in this activity was Khukhtumur. Therefore, in this research work we tried to research the political situation of the beginning period of Northern Yuan based on Khukhtumur's activitiesThis research work consists from3chapters. In the first chapter, Khukhtumur's origin, family, their activities and his role in the fight against the Red Scarves Riot of China were clarified. Moreofer, we tried to study his attitude and influence in the conflict between the officials of Tai Yuan Dynasty, activies and fight for confirming the authority and dominance of Tai Yuan Dynasty in China.In the second chapter we tried to include some terminological aspects related to the name of the dynasty. Since the rule of Mongolian over China fell down the Empire of Mongolia moved back to its original position in a year of1368. Although the dominance of Mongolians in China was destroyed, the Empire of Mongolia wasn't destroyed. The Empire of Mongolia which came back to the original country was still the legitimate continuation of Great Yuan Dynasty. Therefore Mongolian history of this period is significantly connected to history of Great Yuan Dynasty. Today in research of Mongolian history this period is referred as "Northern Yuan" and this name has already become an official terminology in history. The historical documents and materials show the fact that the official name of Mongolian Empire still was the same as the previous Tai Yuan Great Mongolia. In a year of1370, Ayushridar whose title was" Bilegt Khaan" became the king and started to rule the country. At this time the Empire of Mongolia was moved to Kharkhorum again. Bilegt Khaan tried to unite the military force, and the country that had been separated due to the wars. The main goal of this policy was to show the power of the army to Ming Dynasty and reestablish the dominance in China. One of the officals who played a significant role in this matter was Khukhtumur. Although they had been against each other before, the goal to protect the Empire of Mongolia and reestablish the rule over China united them. In a year of1372, Min empire sent a hundred fifty thousand soldiers in three different paths to Mongolia but they were defeated by the powerful, well organized army of Bilegt Khaan and Khukhtumur near Kharkhorum. The war in1372between Northern Yuan and Ming was one of the significant wars in Mongolian history which decided the future path of the nation. The successful victory of Northern Yuan brought the country considerable difference in its international relationship. It gave the both countries the opportunity to gain their pleasant relationship. In the third chapter, after the powerful hit of Bilegt khaan and Khukhtumur to the army of Ming the constant fight between the two countries was stopped for a while and the friendship relation was established between two countries. However, there was a strong policy to reestablish the dominance of Tai Yuan Dynasty in the China. The policy included not only the army strategies but also the political, diplomatic interest of the country. The distinctive evidence of the policy was the Juu letter from Bilegt Khaan of Northern Yuan to king of Koryo state in1373, and a letter of Khukhtumur to the king of Koryo. According to the letters it is clear that Northern Yuan was trying to reestablish their dominance in China using the help of Koryo by involving Koryo to their side. Starting from the year of1356the authorities of Koryo tried to have a policy to become independent from Great Yuan Dynasty and rely on Ming taking advantage of the recession of Northern Yuan. In1369they stopped their relation with Great Yuan Dynasty and started to have an independent policy to rely on Ming. However Ming army broke into Mongolia in1372and was defeated by the powerful force of Northern Yuan army. Koryo was threatened by the victory of Northern Yuan. The victory of Northern Yuan became a huge threat to Koryo which was having a policy against Northern Yuan and they realized the Great Yuan Dynasty is still as powerful as it was before. Therefore Koryo started to practice the indistinguishable political and military relationship with Northern Yuan and Ming. Due to the numerous effective policies and actions of authorities of Great Yuan Dynasty, the relationship which had ended in a year of1369, between Northern Yuan and Koryo started to have a tendency to be recovered once again. The relationship officially recovered in1377. However, Bilegt Khaan and Khuhtumur who were playing important roles in the relationship died in1378and1376respectively. Their death significantly influenced the further development of their relationship.Although the struggle of Bilegt Khaan and Kukhtumur to recover the rule over China wasn't successful their effective policies and action blocked the aggressive army of Ming and helped Northern Yuan to maintain independence of Mongolia and protect the nation.