Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368AD)
As early as 1211 AD, Mongol invaders from the north were invading China. The Song dynasty weakened greatly and by 1279, the Mongol leader Kublai Khan became the emperor of the new Yuan dynasty.
The Mongols had been nomads before Genghis Khan (Kublai Khan's grandfather) united them and started his empire. The way of the Chinese dynasty system was unprecedented to them. However, Kublai saw it necessary to adopt the Chinese culture so as to govern the society.
“I have heard that one can conquer the empire on horseback, but one cannot govern it on horseback.” |
-Memorial to Kublai Khan by one of his Chinese advisers |
Overall, the Mongol rule was largely unpopular to the Chinese. They saw it as an insult to their society and their way of life, and their rights were once again inhibited. Despite the fact that Kublai Khan made the empire so great, many of the people decided action was needed to solve the issue.
The Red Turban Rebellion
The Khans could not hold China by their own standards. In 1368 AD, Zhu Yuanzhang led a coup against the Mongol rule in what was known as the Red Turban Rebellion, called such for their use of red turbans as a political symbol. Later, Yuanzhang became the emperor of the new Ming dynasty.
Mongol cavalry striking down a Red Turban (note the red scarf in hair) rebel. Click to enlarge.
Mongol cavalry striking down a Red Turban (note the red scarf in hair) rebel. Click to enlarge.