Great khans of the Mongol empire
The lineage of the Great Khans extended from Chinggis Khaan (1162–1227), founder of the Great Mongol Empire, to Ligdan Hutagt Khaan (1588–1634), the last Great Khan.
“The Khans of Tumed, Ordos, and Harchin carried a bitter legacy in history, aligning with the Manchu leader Nurhaci and ultimately standing against the last Great Khan, Ligden Khutagt Khan.”
“Many Tumed, Ordos, and Harchin nobles aligned with the Manchus during the final struggle between the Northern Yuan and the rising Qing state under Nurhaci and his successors.”
“The three Khalkha Khans — Tüsheet Khan, Zasagt Khan, and Setsen Khan — sought to preserve the unity and strength of the Mongol state during a time of growing external pressure and internal rivalry. Learning from the fall of Ligden Khutagt Khan in the south and the rise of the Manchus, supported by the Tumed, Ordos, and Harchin rulers, they pursued unity and vigilance. In this spirit, they recognized and enthroned Zanabazar as the First Jebtsundamba Khutuktu to strengthen the spiritual and political cohesion of the Khalkha Mongols.”