Nigülesügchi Khan (; ), born Elbeg (; ), (1362–1399) was a khagan of the
Northern Yuan dynasty
The Northern Yuan was a dynastic state ruled by the Mongol Borjigin clan based in the Mongolian Plateau. It existed as a rump state after the collapse of the Yuan dynasty in 1368 and lasted until its conquest by the Jurchen people, Jurchen-led ...
, reigning from 1394 to 1399. ''
Erdeniin Tobchi'' claimed that Elbeg was the younger brother of the
Jorightu Khan, while other historians testify that he was a son of the
Biligtü Khan (Emperor Zhaozong).
He ruled for seven years. His regnal title "Nigülesügchi Khagan" means "Merciful Emperor" in the
Mongolian language
Mongolian is the Prestige (sociolinguistics), principal language of the Mongolic languages, Mongolic language family that originated in the Mongolian Plateau. It is spoken by ethnic Mongols and other closely related Mongolic peoples who are nati ...
. Border skirmishes with the
Ming dynasty
The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of ...
and
Oirat rebellion plagued his reign.
Reign
During his reign, the Oirats began to openly challenge the authority of the
Borjigin
A Borjigin is a member of the Mongol sub-clan that started with Bodonchar Munkhag of the Kiyat clan. Yesugei's descendants were thus said to be Kiyat-Borjigin. The senior Borjigids provided ruling princes for Mongolia and Inner Mongolia u ...
family and the Ming dynasty repulsed Northern Yuan invasions. Elbeg was held responsible for all things that went wrong.
Elbeg was hunting with Khuuhai
Dayuu and saw hare's blood on the freshly fallen snow. He mused: "Is there a lady with a face white as snow and cheeks as red as blood?" Khuuhai responded: "I know just such a beautiful lady. It is forbidden for you to see her, as she is Oljeitu, the wife of your son." The Khan ordered Khuuhai to bring the lady to him. When the Khuuhai informed the princess of the summons, she was greatly angered, for she knew the evil intent in the Khan's heart. She refused to go. The Khan then killed his son Duurentemur and made his daughter-in-law his consort. But Khuuhai was also killed by Elbeg Khan.
To prevent hostilities from the Khuuhai Dayuu's family, he gave his daughter
Samur Gunj in marriage to the Khuuhai Dayuu's son Batula.
Ugetchi Khashikha, who was ruler of the Oirads at the time, resisted the Khagan's decision to appoint a new ruler over his tribes. He persuaded Batula that the violent khan who had killed his own kin was not fit to be Emperor. Batula wanted to avenge the death of his father as well.
In 1399, Elbeg Nigülesügchi Khagan was defeated by the
Four Oirats and was killed by their leaders, Ugetchi Khashikha and Batula, as a result. According to
Saghang Sechen, his crown was succeeded by his eldest son
Gün Temür Khan after his death. Allied with the late khan's principal consort Kobeguntai, who was jealous of Elbeg's issue with Oljeitu, Ugetchi Khashikha seized his harem and all his properties.
Issue
# Crown prince Duurentemur
## Ajai
###
Taisun khan
###
Agbarjin
###
Manduul khan
#
Gün Temür Khan (disputed)
#
Öljei Temür Khan
#
Samur Gunj
See also
*
List of khans of the Northern Yuan dynasty
*
Maidilibala
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khan, Elbeg Nigulesugchi
1361 births
1399 deaths
14th-century Chinese monarchs
14th-century Mongol khans
Filicides
Northern Yuan khans