Tögs-Ochir Namnansüren

Overview

Tögs-Ochiryn Namnansüren was the thirteenth holder of the Sain Noyon title and one of the founders of independent Mongolia. He helped persuade the Bogd Khan to call the assembly of princes and lamas that began the break with the Qing in 1911, sought Russian support in St Petersburg, and served as the new state's first prime minister. Under the Qing his house held the rank of khoshoi chin van; after independence the Bogd Khan raised it to khan.

Rise to Power

Born in 1878 in present-day Uyanga district of Övörkhangai, Namnansüren became prince of the Sain Noyon aimag in 1896, succeeding Tögs-Ochir.

Rule and Achievements

• Persuaded the Bogd Khan in 1911 to call a congress of Mongol princes and lamas in Khüree to start the movement for independence from China
• Travelled to St Petersburg in July 1911 to seek Russian and Western European support
• Became prime minister of the Bogd Khaganate in 1912; when the office was abolished in 1915 he became minister of war
• Led a delegation to St Petersburg from November 1913 to January 1914 during the Russian–Chinese talks that led to the Kyakhta agreement, which recognised Mongolia only as autonomous within China
• Died in April 1919 after a serious illness; many suspected poisoning

Legacy

Namnansüren is remembered as one of the fathers of modern Mongolian independence. His career shows both the opportunity and the limit of the moment: he could seize the opening created by the Qing collapse, but the final shape of Mongolia's status was negotiated by Russia and China. He died months before Chinese troops ended Mongolian autonomy in 1919, and his successor Batsükh was the last Sain Noyon Khan.