Örüg Temür Khan


Örüg Temür or Gulichi was a Mongol leader who temporarily enthroned himself Khan of the Northern Yuan dynasty based in Mongolia in the early 15th century. He might also have been known as Ugechi Khashikha. "Khashikha" means prince or duke in the Tungusic languages. He was a leader of the Oirats, particularly the Torguud clan. Örüg Temür may have been descended from either Ariq Böke or Genghis Khan's younger brothers, either Hasar or Temüge. He may also have been a descendant of Ogedai. Thus, it is still unclear whether he was an Oirat or Genghisid.
Elbeg Khan appointed Bahamu ruler of the Four Oirats after he had mistakenly executed his father Taifu. The Khagan's decision disappointed the Oirat leader Gulichi. Gulichi and Bahamu organized the plot to kill Elbeg and succeeded; the former seized the family and property of the late Khagan. Gulichi became the new Khan in 1402, and abolished the name Yuan Dynasty.

Reign

Gulichi appointed Arughtai of the Asud chingsang of the Eastern Mongols. According to the Ming annals, he might have nominated a Tatar Khan. The Yongle Emperor made overtures to Gulichi and his principal retainer Arughtai to establish a relationship within Ming China's tributary system, but Gulichi and Arughtai rejected it. They also poisoned Engke Temur, Prince of Hami, who had allied with the Ming. However, Gulichi was defeated by Öljei Temür Khan, the Borjigin monarch, in 1403. In 1408, his former chingsang and noyan Arughtai killed him after a conflict erupted between them. He was succeeded by his son Esekhu.