Early life
Batmönkh was born in Khyargas sum of Uvs aimag on 10 March 1926. When starting primary school, he took his brother's name, Jamba, as a surname. After graduating seventh grade in his native Uvs aimag, he entered the National University of Mongolia's two year preparatory program. From 1947 to 1951, he studied at the National University's School of Economics. He met his future wife when they were both 16 years old. Both Batmönkh and Daariimaa were housed in the same dormitory, when they were studying in the National University of Mongolia's School of Economics, and the Agricultural Technical College, respectively. They were married one year later. Daariimaa worked for 33 years at the National University of Mongolia Library, until 1988, when she retired.Early political career
Batmönkh became a member of the ruling Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) in 1948. In 1951, Batmönkh started work as a professor at the Pedagogical University. In 1973, after working as a professor and director at the university for over twenty years, he was promoted to Minister of Science (Superintendent of the Department of Science Education of the Party's Central Bureau). In the spring of 1974, he was promoted to Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the MPRP. In June 1974, during a Session of the People's Great Khural, he was further promoted to the post of Chairman of the Council of Ministers, an office analogous toLeadership of Mongolia (1984–1990)
In 1984, along with D. Molomjamts, Batmönkh played a key role in easing Tsedenbal's way out of power. In 1984, he became the head of state when the party's long-time leader, Yumjaagiin Tsedenbal, was ousted in a party congress. Batmönkh strengthened Mongolia's alliance with theRole in the Mongolian Revolution of 1990
In late 1989, Mongolia's democratic movement gained momentum. In March 1990, the first organized opposition group, the ''Ardchilsan Kholboo'' (Mongolian Democratic Union), launched a hunger strike demanding the resignation of the communist government led by Jambyn Batmönkh. Batmönkh maintained a strict policy against the use of force and concluded that the only resolution was the resignation of the MPRP Politburo. Following discussions within the Politburo and the Eighth Congress of the Party's Central Committee, the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party officially relinquished power on 9 March 1990. Batmönkh later became associated with the principle "Never use force," which became the title of a book published about the events. Batmönkh’s widow later recalled the events of that day:"It was March of 1990. Batmönkh was at home preparing his speech for the MPRP’s 8th Congress when the phone rang. After a short conversation, he suddenly said, 'We few Mongolians should never make each other's noses bleed,' and threw the phone down, something very uncharacteristic for such a calm person. He told me that some leaders had come to ask him to sign something and that he would be back soon. He was visibly flustered, kept looking for his tie though it was right next to him, and left after drinking only a cup of tea. I stayed at home, nervous about the protests outside. Later, I learned that he had been asked to sign a decree authorizing a crackdown on the demonstrators. Those present recalled that Batmönkh said, 'I will never sign this. We few Mongols have not yet come to the point that we will make each other's noses bleed,' before striking the table and leaving the room. He had resigned by the time he came home that evening. He didn’t tell me the details, he was never one to speak much about work. He was a very calm person."
Later life
In 1990, most of his family members became unemployed after being accused of political corruption. He and his wife made bread and sold ''deel'' and gutals. From 1992 until his death, he lived in Dambadarjaa ( Sukhbaatar district) while planting vegetables and fruits. He was privately critical of the new administration (particularly ofIn popular culture
Batmönkh's role in the 1990 democratic movement was dramatized in the 2016 Mongolian film "Don't Forget" ("Бүү март").References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Batmonkh, Jambyn Mongolian communists Chairmen of the State Great Khural 1926 births 1997 deaths Mongolian People's Party politicians Prime ministers of Mongolia Heads of state of Mongolia Communism in Mongolia Recipients of the Order of Lenin Recipients of the Order of Friendship of Peoples National University of Mongolia alumni People from Uvs Province