Bulugan

Who was Bulugan?

Dowager Empress Khanum Bulugan was a Mongolian political leader and Empress of the Yuan Dynasty that ruled Mongolia, Tibet, Korea and China. She was born as Princess Bulukhan of the Baya'ud tribe. Her husband Great Khan Temür, ruled from 1294 to 1307.

Bulugan made her son Teshou the heir apparent in June 1305. To ensure the boy's succession, she removed all the potential rivals from the court. Darmabala's son Ayurbarwada was sent to Honan as the prince of Huai-ning. But Teshou died in January 1306. In 1307 when Temür Khan died, Bulugan kept away the Khunggirad-mothered brothers of Khaishan and Ayurbarwada and attempted to set up Muslim Ananda, a cousin of Temür. The Khunggirad faction arrested Ananda and Bulghan by coup and recalled Ayurbarwada and Dagi from Henan. Then Khayishan decided to hold the coronation ceremony in Shangdu just as his great-grandfather Khubilai Khan did, and advanced southward with the most part of his army. He was welcomed by Ayurbarwada, who gave up khanship, and ascended to the throne. They executed Ananda, Bulugan and their retainers.