Altan Khan
Altan Khan (Mongolian: ᠠᠯᠲᠠᠨ ᠬᠠᠨ; 1507 – 1582) was the ruler of the Tümed Mongols and de facto ruler of the Right Wing of Mongols. He was a descendant of Kublai Khan, leader of the Mongol Empire and Emperor of China. He is well remembered not only for creating strong connections between Mongolia and Tibetan Buddhists, but also for being the first Mongol to cross the Great Wall of China.
Biography
Starting in 1529, the Mongols under Altan Khan began launching raids on the Chinese border to gain territory.[1] In 1532, Altan Khan gained an alliance with the Chinese Templar Zhang Yong, who offered to faciliate the Mongols' invasion of China in exchange for a seat in power after the outcome. Zhang Yong thus had his men open the gates of the Great Wall, allowing several of Altan Khan's scouts to enter the country and begin making plans for the full-scale assault.[2]
However, the invasion was thwarted by the Chinese Assassins Shao Jun and Xiao Hu,[3] who eliminated the Mongol scouts and helped the Ming guards close back the gates.[2] Believing Zhang Yong had betrayed their alliance, an infuriated Altan Khan ordered an assault of the Great Wall, though the attack was ultimately repelled by the Ming soldiers and the Mongols were forced to retreat.[4][5]
Behind the scenes
Altan Khan is a historical character featured in the 2015 video game Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China and its 2019 manga adaptation, Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun. Although Altan Khan is know to have led several raids into China and even succeeded in crossing the Great Wall in 1550, no recorded Mongol attacks against the Great Wall occurred in 1532.
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China (mentioned in Database entry only)
- Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun (first appearance)
References
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