Kublai Khan becomes ruler of the Mongol Empire.
Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan, was a pivotal figure in world history who ruled as the fifth Khagan of the Mongol Empire and the founder of the Yuan dynasty in China. Ascending to power in 1260, Kublai not only expanded the empire’s reach but also shifted its focus from nomadic conquest to administrative consolidation and cultural integration. Unlike his more war-driven predecessors, Kublai embraced aspects of Chinese governance, Confucianism, and Buddhism, effectively blending Mongol and Chinese traditions. His reign marked the first time a non-Han ruler successfully governed all of China, culminating in the establishment of the Yuan dynasty in 1271. He moved the capital to what is now Beijing and fostered international trade, notably supporting the Silk Road and welcoming foreign travelers like Marco Polo. Kublai’s legacy is complex—he’s remembered as both a powerful unifier and as a ruler whose Mongol identity was softened by his deep immersion in Chinese culture.