Karakorum

Quick Facts: Who was Karakorum?

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Karakorum

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Historic capital of the Mongol Empire, flourishing from 1235 to 1260.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Karakorum was the capital of the Mongol Empire between 1235 and 1260, and later served as the capital of the Northern Yuan dynasty in the late 14th and 15th centuries. It was founded in 1220 and remained the capital until the division of the Mongol Empire, after which Dadu (present-day Beijing) became the seat of the Yuan dynasty. After the fall of the dynasty in 1368, it became the seat of fugitive Yuan princes, but probably fell into dereliction at the start of the 15th century. Its ruins lie in the northwestern corner of the Övörkhangai Province of modern-day Mongolia, near the present town of Kharkhorin and adjacent to the Erdene Zuu Monastery, which is likely the oldest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. They are located in the upper part of the World Heritage Site Orkhon Valley.

Career & Major Achievements

The Orkhon valley was a centre of the Xiongnu, Göktürk, and Uyghur empires. To the Göktürks, the nearby Khangai Mountains had been the location of the Ötüken (the locus of power), and the Uyghur capital Karabalgasun was located close to where later Karakorum would be erected (downstream the Orkhon River 27 km north–west from Karakorum). This area is also considered to be one of the oldest farming areas in Mongolia. In 1218–1219, Genghis Khan rallied his troops for the campaign against the Khwarazmian Empire in a place called Karakorum, but the actual foundation of a city is usually said to have occurred only in 1220. Until 1235, Karakorum seems to have been little more than a yurt town; only then, after the defeat of the Jin empire, did Genghis' successor Ögedei erect city walls and build a fixed palace.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

During his reign for an extended period twice a year, the khan would stay in the city, and thus Ögödei also encouraged the elite of the empire to build houses near his palace in order to centralise his power over the empire. The advantages of choosing this site for the Mongol capital were numerous. It was more central to the growing empire. As the foundation took place late in the Medieval Warm Period, the climate was warmer and more moist than today, leading to abundant grass for grazing. The Orkhon River flowed north-south in a region where most rivers run east-west, facilitating riverine travel across, and a point of control over, the natural network.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1218: 1218 Milestone — In 1218–1219, Genghis Khan rallied his troops for the campaign against the Khwarazmian Empire in a place called Karakorum, but the actual foundation of a city is usually said to have occurred only in 1220.
2. 1220: 1220 Milestone — It was founded in 1220 and remained the capital until the division of the Mongol Empire, after which Dadu (present-day Beijing) became the seat of the Yuan dynasty.
3. 1235: 1235 Milestone — Karakorum was the capital of the Mongol Empire between 1235 and 1260, and later served as the capital of the Northern Yuan dynasty in the late 14th and 15th centuries.
4. 1368: 1368 Milestone — After the fall of the dynasty in 1368, it became the seat of fugitive Yuan princes, but probably fell into dereliction at the start of the 15th century.

Notable Quotes by Karakorum

“The silver tree he described as part of Möngke Khan's palace as having become the symbol of Karakorum.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Karakorum

True or False: “Karakorum remained the primary capital of the Mongol successor states after the empire divided in 1260.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): After the division in 1260, Kublai Khan established Dadu (modern Beijing) as the new capital for the Yuan Dynasty.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Drogön Chögyal Phagpa — Historical peer (Born in 1235) (1235): First Imperial Preceptor of the Yuan Dynasty and fifth leader of the Sakya school.
• Ibn al-Farid — Historical peer (Died in 1235) (1235): Master Sufi Poet of the Arab World, celebrated for mystical verse.
• Meister Eckhart — Historical peer (Born in 1260) (1260): A pivotal German mystic, theologian, and philosopher of the High Middle Ages.
• Władysław I Łokietek — Historical peer (Born in 1260) (1260): Piast dynasty ruler who was King of Poland from 1320 to 1333.
• Alexander Nevsky — Historical peer (Born in 1220) (1220): A pivotal Grand Prince of Novgorod and defender of Russian Orthodoxy.
• Emperor Go-Saga — Historical peer (Born in 1220) (1220): 88th Emperor of Japan; reigned 1242–1246, known as 'Later Emperor Saga'.
• Charles VI of France — Historical peer (Born in 1368) (1368): King of France, known for his reign from 1380 to 1422, plagued by mental illness.
• Emperor Go-Murakami — Historical peer (Died in 1368) (1368): 97th Emperor of Japan, reigning during the turbulent Nanboku-chō period.
• Emperor Chūkyō — Historical peer (Born in 1218) (1218): The 85th Emperor of Japan, whose brief reign was overshadowed by political turmoil.
• Jayavarman VII — Historical peer (Died in 1218) (1218): Powerful Khmer monarch who championed Buddhism and built extensive welfare infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions about Karakorum