Previous   Next
Home » Images » 0008 Pictures From History » CPA0003801

Mongolia: Altan Khan (1507-1582), Lord of the Tumet Mongols.

Mongolia: Altan Khan (1507-1582), Lord of the Tumet Mongols.

Altan Khan (1507–1582), ruler of the Tumet Mongols and de facto ruler of the Right Wing, or western tribes, of the Mongols, was the grandson of Dayan Khan (1464–1543), a descendant of Kublai Khan (1215–1294), who had managed to unite a tribal league between the Khalkha Mongols in the north and the Chahars (Tsakhars) to the south. His name means 'Golden Khan' in Mongolian. Altan Khan is particularly remembered for re-establishing ties between Mongolia and the religious leaders of Tibet. Altan Khan first invited the Sonam Gyatso to Tumet in 1569, but apparently he refused to go and sent a disciple instead, who reported back to him about the great opportunity to spread Buddhist teachings throughout Mongolia.

Quick links to other images in this gallery: