Title

An Interpretation of the Succession of Emperor Chengzong in the Yuan Dynasty

Author

Hsu Cheng-hung

Genre

Article

Pages

473-512

DOI

10.6503/THJCS.202109_51(3).0002

Download

PDF

Language

Chinese

Key words

Yuan dynasty, succession to the throne, Yuan Chengzong 元成宗, Temür 鐵穆耳, Kökejin 闊闊真, Kammala 甘麻剌

Abstract

The disputes over imperial succession in the Yuan dynasty were an important factor in its decline and fall. Among these disputes, the succession of Yuan Chengzong元成宗 (r. 1294-1307) deserves special attention. Chengzong was the first emperor to succeed after Shizu 世祖 (r. 1260-1294) declared the dynastic name Da Yuan 大元 (Great Yuan), and he was also the first descendant of J̌ingim 真金 to take control of the throne. This paper re-examines several indicative political events before the succession of Chengzong, including the political storm caused by the death of J̌ingim, the tendency of J̌ingim’s sons to become designated as heirs, the formation of Chengzong’s ascendancy and the process of his accession to the throne. It also discusses the rise, fall and reorganization of political forces during Shizu’s reign as seen in the above events, especially the political role played by J̌ingim’s widow, Kökejin 闊闊真.