and its vassals, ca. 1300. The gray area is the later
Timurid Empire. Members of the Borjigin clan ruled over the
Mongol Empire, dominating large lands stretching from
Java to
Iran and from
Mainland Southeast Asia to
Veliky Novgorod. Many of the ruling dynasties that took power following the disintegration of the Mongol Empire were of Chinggisid, and thus Borjigid, ancestry. These included the
Chobanids, the
Jalayirid Sultanate, the
Barlas, the
Manghud, the
Khongirad, and the
Oirats. In 1368, the Borjigin-ruled
Yuan dynasty was expelled from
China following the advance of rebel forces that established the
Ming dynasty. The last Yuan emperor,
Toghon Temür, withdrew north of the
Great Wall, where the court and its institutions continued to function in the
Mongolian Plateau under what is conventionally known as the
Northern Yuan. The retreat of the Yuan court did not represent a sudden collapse but rather a strategic relocation, after which the Borjigin rulers maintained political authority over Mongolia and sought to reassert influence over China in subsequent decades.
Post-Mongol Empire The term "
Chinggisid" derives from the name of Genghis (
Chinggis) Khan (c. 1162–1227 CE). Genghis and his successors created a vast empire stretching from the
Sea of Japan to the
Black Sea, which, beginning in 1259,
divided into separate empires. s of Mongolia proper and vassal states of the Mongol Empire by 1400 After the breakup of the
Golden Horde, the Khiyad Borjigids continued to rule in
Crimean Peninsula and
Kazan until they were annexed by the
Russian Empire in the late 18th century. In Mongolia, the Kublaids continued to reign as khagans of the Mongols, with brief interruptions by the descendants of
Ögedei and
Ariq Böke. Under
Dayan Khan (1480–1517), a broad Borjigid revival reestablished Borjigid supremacy among the Mongols in Mongolia proper. The Borjigin lineage constituted the ruling house of the Mongols, with authority distributed among various branches of the imperial family rather than concentrated in a single unified structure. During the period following the decline of centralized power, the descendants of
Dayan Khan governed their respective appanages in a decentralized and semi-autonomous system, maintaining allegiance to the Chinggisid khan while exercising independent control over their own territories. The eastern
Khorchin Mongols were under the Qasarids, and the Ongnigud and Abaqids were under the Belguteids and
Temüge Odchigenids. A fragment of the Qasarids later migrated to western Mongolia, where they became known as the
Khoshut. The
Qing dynasty respected the Borjigids and the early emperors married Khorchin Qasarids. Even among the pro-Qing Mongols, traces of the alternative tradition survived. Aci Lomi, a banner general, wrote his
History of the Borjigid Clan in 1732–35. The 18th century and 19th century, Qing nobility was adorned by the descendants of the early Mongol adherents including the Borjigin. Asian dynasties descended from Genghis Khan included the
Yuan dynasty in China, the
Ilkhanate in
Persia, the
Jochids of the
Golden Horde, the
Shaybanids in
Siberia and Central Asia, and the
Astrakhan Khanate in Central Asia. Chinggisid descent played a crucial role in
Tatar politics. For instance,
Mamai had to exercise his authority through a succession of puppet khans but could not assume the title of
khan himself because he lacked Chinggisid lineage. • The
Chinggisid principle, or golden lineage, was the rule of inheritance laid down in the (
Yassa), the legal code attributed to Genghis Khan. • A
Chinggisid prince was one who could trace direct descent from Genghis Khan in the male line, and who could therefore claim high respect among Mongol and
Turks and in
Asia. • The
Chinggisid states were the successor states or
khanates after the Mongol empire broke up following the death of Genghis Khan's sons and their
successors. • The term
Chinggisid people was used to describe the people of Genghis Khan's armies who came in contact with Europeans. It applied primarily to the Golden Horde, led by
Batu Khan, a grandson of Genghis. Members of the Horde were predominantly
Kipchak-speaking peoples. Although the aristocracy was largely Mongol, Mongols were never more than a small minority in the armies and the lands they conquered.) Europeans often (incorrectly) referred to the people of the Golden Horde as "Tartars".
Babur and
Humayun, founders of the
Mughal Empire in India, asserted their authority as Chinggisids, claiming descent through their maternal lineage. The Chinggisid also include such dynasties and houses as
Giray, Töre,
House of Siberia,
Ar begs,
Yaushev family and other. The one of last ruling Chinggisids was
Maqsud Shah,
Khan of Kumul from 1908 to 1930. The three
Khalkha khanates included those ruled by
Sechen Khan,
Zasagt Khan, and
Tüsheet Khan, who continued to regard themselves as the legitimate
Khagans and successors of the
Northern Yuan until
Qing annexion 1691. Although much of their independent political authority declined during
Qing rule, Borjigin nobles proclaimed Mongolia’s independence in 1911 and established the
Bogd Khanate. The three Khalkha khanates, along with their aristocratic ranks and titles, continued to exist within the
Mongolian People’s Republic until around 1930. The last ruling Chinggisid and Borjigin aristocrat holding princely and monarchical status,
Navaanneren Setsen Khan, was executed in 1937.
Modern relevance The Borjigin held power over Mongolia for many centuries (even during
Qing period) and only lost power when
Communists took control in the 20th century. Aristocratic descent was something to be forgotten in the
socialist period.
Joseph Stalin's associates executed some 30,000 Mongols including Borjigin nobles in a series of campaigns against their culture and religion. Clan association has lost its practical relevance in the 20th century, but is still considered a matter of honour and pride by many
Mongolians. In 1920s the
communist regime banned the use of clan names. When the ban was lifted again in 1997, and people were told they had to have surnames, some families had lost knowledge about their clan association. Around 700,000 people are registered under the family name Borjigin in
Mongolia. The label Borjigin is used as a measure of cultural supremacy. In
Inner Mongolia, the Borjigid or Kiyad name became the basis for many Chinese surnames adopted by
ethnic Inner Mongols. The Qiyat clan name is still found among the
Kazakhs,
Uzbeks and
Nogai Karakalpaks. == Yuan dynasty family tree ==