Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s4.t26: Tie Ge

v2.c14.s4.t26.1

Tie Ge (1250～1313 CE), Kashmiri and a minister of Yuan Dynasty, was recorded in the volume 125 of *History of Yuan Dynasty*. His surname was Qienai, his father’s name was Wotuochi and his uncle’s name was Mahanama, both of them were Buddhists. In 1230, his father and uncle went to Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, Ogedei (third son of Genghis Khan, reign during 1229-1241 CE) for shelter and received courteous reception. Gueyuek (reign during 1246-1248 CE) was the oldest son of Ogedei, invited Mahanama as his teacher. Wotuochi was put in an important position, too. During the reign of Mongke Khan (1251-1259 CE), Mahanama was invited as Guoshi (a name for eminent monk), and Wotuochi was ordered to Kashmir to induce to capitulate but was killed by the king of Kashmir. At that time, Tie Ge was only four years old and knew how to show filial obedience to his mother and was endeared to Khan. After enthroning of Kublai Khan (reign during 1260-1294 CE), at his age of 17, Tie Ge got married with a woman of the Han. After that, Tie Ge was deeply appreciated by Kublai Khan and promoted again and again. Being kind-hearted, Tie Ge advised the Emperor not to kill people and disturb residents, which accepted by the Emperor every time. In 1285, the famine refugees sold their children for food in Huanzhou (today’s Zhenglan Banner, Duo Lun areas in Inner Mongolia), which was report to the government by Tie Ge to pay up and redeem those children. In 1287, Tie Ge went out to battle with the Emperor, when they fell into isolation without help and was attacked by the enemy. Tie Ge suggested the Emperor to stay calm and collected pretending being in relaxation, and meantime, he calmly urged the Emperor to drink. The generals of enemy were afraid that there were troops in ambush and withdrew the troops. The Emperor rewarded Tie Ge for his brilliance and resourcefulness. During the period of Chengzong Tiemu’er (reign during 1295 to 1307 CE) Tie Ge has been the prime minister and opened the granary-grain to relief victims. After his death, all of his six sons ranked high officers. (*Xue Keqiao*)