Mongke elected Great Khan

1251

Backed by Batu of the Golden Horde, Mongke the son of Tolui was raised on the felt as fourth Great Khan, ending a power struggle among Genghisid lineages. He purged the Ogedeid faction, reformed taxes, and dispatched his brothers Hulagu and Kublai to conquer west and south. His reign restored central authority and set the stage for the empire's greatest territorial expansion.