The fall of the ancient Mongol Empire, once the world’s largest contiguous empire, can be attributed to several factors:
Internal Strife and Succession Disputes: After Genghis Khan’s death, the empire fragmented into competing khanates, weakening its unity. Disputes over succession, particularly after the death of Möngke Khan in 1259, led to civil wars.
Overextension and Administrative Challenges: The empire’s rapid expansion under Genghis Khan and his descendants led to difficulties in effectively governing such vast territories. The empire began to split due to wars over succession.
Economic Unsustainability: The Mongol Empire’s economic reliance on conquests became unsustainable, leading to revolts and economic difficulties.
Decline of the Yuan Dynasty: After Kublai Khan’s death in 1294, the Yuan Dynasty in China weakened due to disputes over succession and frequent rebellions3. The dynasty fell in 1368, overthrown by the Chinese rebel leader Zhu Yuanzhang, who established the Ming Dynasty.
Fall of the Golden Horde: The most enduring part of the Mongol Empire, the Golden Horde, began to decline significantly in the mid-14th century after the outbreak of the Black Death and the murder of one of its rulers.
By the late 14th century, the Mongol Empire had reduced to the Mongol homeland and scattered khanates.
