Kublai Khan (1216-1294), the grandson of Genghis Khan, founded the Mongol,

Kublai Khan

Kublai Khan (1216-1294), the grandson of Genghis Khan, founded the Mongol, or Yuan, dynasty that ruled China from 1279 to 1368. Kublai became Great-Khan and ruler of the Mongol Empire in 1259. But his brothers did not recognize his position. They disregarded Genghis Khan's warning to his heirs to remain united under one Great-Khan, and the unity of the All-Mongolia Empire soon ended.

Kublai established his capital in Cambaluc (now Beijing) in 1264. By 1279, Kublai had completed the conquest of China. For the first time in Chinese history, a foreign people had conquered the whole country. Burma, Cambodia, and other countries of Southeast Asia were forced to recognize the Yuan dynasty as their rulers. But Kublai's attempts to conquer Japan and Java failed. He also was unable to gain direct control over the western half of the Mongol Empire. Under Kublai's rule, art and science flourished, and cultural relations were established with countries throughout the world.

Excerpt adapted from the "Kublai Khan" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999