← Explore on the interactive map

Chabi

Type Figure Region Mongolia Time 1225–1281 Also known as Empress Zhaorui Shunsheng

Chabi (1225–1281), principal wife of Kublai Khan and an important political figure of the early Yuan;…

Timeline

  1. c. 1230–1250North of the Gobi · MongoliaChabi was a daughter of the Mongol imperial clan who in her youth married Kublai, a prince of the Tolui line; famed for her virtue and insight, she held a high position in Kublai's household, laying the foundation for her later participation in political decision-making.
  2. 1251–1260Kaiping · South of the GobiAfter Kublai took charge of the Han lands in the 1250s, Chabi frequently took part in military and political consultations, advocating adoption of Han methods, lighter taxes and corvée, and fair treatment of Confucian officials; she supported recruiting scholars such as Yao Shu and Xu Heng, significantly influencing Kublai's administration of the Han lands and his later decision to establish the capital at Yanjing.
  3. 1260–1281Shangdu · YuanAfter Kublai ascended the throne in 1260, Chabi was established as empress and continued to take part in early Yuan politics, supporting Crown Prince Zhenjin in implementing Han methods; she died at Shangdu in 1281 and was posthumously titled Empress Zhaorui Shunsheng.

Sources