Yuan Dynasty
1279 marks the start of the Yuan Dynasty, declared by Kublai Khan of the Mongols. It was the first time China was ruled by foreigners. By this point, the Song Dynasty only had rule over southern China. Northern China had been conquered by Kublai’s grandfather Genghis Khan decades earlier and was therefore no longer part of the Chinese empire. After the 1279 conquest of the south, China became part of the Mongol Empire, the largest land empire the world has ever seen, extending from the Pacific to Eastern Europe. However, the 4 regions making up the empire were ruled autonomously, with Kublai Khan ruling over China, Mongolia, Tibet, and Korea. (The other 3 regions roughly correspond to today’s Russia, Iran, and the ‘stans of Central Asia.) Kublai Khan moved the empire’s capital from today’s Inner Mongolia region of China to a newly constructed city, known today as Beijing. The earlier capital, which then took on the status as summer capital, was named Shangdu, also known as Xanadu. For the most part, the ruling Mongols got along well with the Chinese and had respect for Chinese culture.
The Yuan Dynasty lasted for less than 100 years, but it had enormous impact on Chinese culture. This was due to China being part of a vast empire. Islamic technologies in cartography, astronomy, and other areas were brought to China thanks to influence from the Persian southwest of the Mongol Empire. Previously unknown vegetables such as carrots also came to China from Persia. The same goes for cotton cultivation. Islam itself spread throughout China. Tibetan Buddhism grew in influence, as Chinese influence on the West also grew during this time. This was of course the time of Marco Polo’s famous visit to China (even though it’s somewhat controversial as to whether he made it all the way to China or if much of what he relayed was second-hand). Things began to fall apart somewhat after the death of Kublai Khan. By 1378, the Chinese drove the Mongols back to Mongolia and reclaimed their country. It wasn’t the last time the Chinese Empire was ruled by non-Chinese. But before we get there, there’s the most illustrious dynasty of all, coming next…
[Historical information is primarily gathered from Wikipedia, so you know it must be true.]
Interesting to hear that Persians brought carrots over to China. I would expect Iran to be the last place on Earth to have hospitable conditions to grow carrots. It will also be interesting to see what the predominate religion will be in China once the Communist government either “loosens up” its laws on religious practices or if it becomes abolished. I am sure we will find out eventually within our lifetime.
I think the big 3 of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism are pretty predominant. Since Mao’s death, there are less restrictions on religion.