Figure 1.--These are ladies of the Mongolian court, probably photographed in the 1910s. We are not sure whi the boy is. As far as we know, the Bogd Khan did not have a son, but ou information is limited. .

The Norther Yuan they surrendered to the Later Jin dynasty (1635). China at the me continued to be a great power and was continuing toexpand into central Asia (18h century). This only began to change with a series of disasters. First the Opium War when European industrial power first eclipsed tradition Chinese power (1840). And then the Taiping Rebellion which devastated Imperial China (1850-64). A series of humiliating concessions followed to Tsarist Russia. The last Mongolian leader was a leader in name only, a woman named -- Genepil. She was the last Kahn's second wife, but very little is known about her. The last Khan was the Bogd Khan of the Bogd Khanate. He declared independence as China became enmeshed in revolution (1911). the imperial Qing dynasty of China. The Chinese Empire ended with the new creation of the Republic of China (1911). But the Republic barely controlled Bejing--let alone Mongolia. This made Mongolian independence briefly possible. Bogd Khan, also known as ‘Jebtsundamba Khutuktu’, was born in Tibet (1869). As a boy he was recognized as the future Bogd Khan, the latest incarnation of the Bogd Gegen, the spiritual leader of Mongolia's Tibetan Buddhists. This was the third most important individual in the Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy. Only the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama has higher status. He was taken to Urga (modern Ulannbaatar). The Chinese had greater control over Mongolia (then known as Outer Mongolia) than Tibet. Once in Urga, he was largely under the control of Chinese (Qing) officials. He met his wife, Tsendiin Dondogdulam (1895). They married (1902) and had a son. Tsendii was known as the 'Ekh Dagina' or 'Dakini Mother'. Se acquired the status of the manifestation of White Tara, a highly revered female figure in Tibetan Buddhism. As was the Buddhist custom, she adopted and raised orphaned children and the children of poor families. The Qing Dynasty by this time was was struggling to maintain power. This engendered thoughts of independence among Mongol nobles. A meeting of nobles and officials was convened. We are unsure as to he role the Bogd Khan had in all of this. But Revolution in China caused Mongolia to declare independence (December 1911). The Bogd Khan was installed as the theocratic sovereign. And for the first time in centuries, Mongolia was actually independent. This did not last long. Chinese troops invaded and reoccupied Mongolia (1919).

Created: 10:07 PM 12/18/2025
Last updated: 10:07 PM 12/18/2025