Overview
Altan Khan, grandson of Dayan Khan, was the most powerful Mongol ruler of the 16th century, though never the great khan. From his Tümed lands north of the Great Wall he led the right wing of the southern Mongols, forced the Ming to open trade, and brought Tibetan Buddhism back to the Mongols.
Rise to Power
Born in 1508, the second son of Bars Bolud Jinong, he became the leading prince of the right wing after his elder brother Gün Bilig died in 1542. In 1551 the great khan Daraisung Güden Khan recognised him with the title Gegeen Khan.
Rule and Achievements
- Raided Ming China repeatedly and in 1550 besieged Beijing and burned its suburbs
- Campaigned against the Oirats and in Qinghai
- Made peace with the Ming in 1571, accepting the title Shunyi Wang, 'obedient and righteous prince', in return for trade at border markets
- Founded the city of Köke Khota, Hohhot, which the Ming renamed Guihua
- Met the Tibetan lama Sonam Gyatso in Qinghai in 1578 and gave him the title Dalai, 'ocean'; Sonam Gyatso became known as the Third Dalai Lama
Legacy
He died on 13 January 1582. His successors kept the Ming title Shunyi Wang; his great-grandson was recognised as the Fourth Dalai Lama. The alliance he made between the Mongols and the Gelug school shaped Mongol and Tibetan history for three centuries.