Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Yuan dynasty collapses in China but the Mongol government returns to Mongolia refusing to
submit to the newly created Ming dynasty. They continue ruling as the 'Northern Yuan'.
1395
Geoffrey Chaucer'sThe Canterbury Tales, recognised as the first book of poetry written in Eng-
lish, includes an early account of Chinggis Khaan in the 'Squire's Tale'.
1448
Birth of Mongolia's greatest queen, Manduhai the Wise Queen, who reunites Mongolia by the
end of the century.
1449
Esen Taishi defeats the Chinese and captures the Ming emperor. His reign marks the rise of
western Mongolia and the Oirat people as major powers of inner Asia.
1586
Founding of Erdene Zuu Khiid, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, at the site of the Mon-
gol capital, Karakorum (modern Kharkhorin).
1603
A descendant of Chinggis Khaan and great-great grandson of Queen Manduhai is enthroned in
Lhasa, Tibet, as the fourth Dalai Lama, the only Mongolian Dalai Lama.
1634
Death of Ligden Khaan, the last of Chinggis Khaan's descendants to rule as great khan. Eastern
Mongolia becomes part of the Manchu empire, but western Mongolia holds out.
1639
Zanabazar, a direct descendent of Chinggis Khaan and the greatest artist in Mongolian history,
is recognised as the first Jebtzun Damba, the supreme religious leader of Mongolia.
1644
The Manchus expel the Ming dynasty and with the support of their Mongolian allies create the
Qing dynasty in China.
1696
The Manchus defeat Galdan Khan of Zungaria and claim western Mongolia for the Qing dynasty,
but some western Mongolians continue to resist foreign rule for several generations.
