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How did the Mongols administer Manchuria after conquering it?
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Manchuria
The historical region of Manchuria shown with the boundaries of the modern-day Chinese provinces in its place as well as the portion of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region that is often considered part of Manchuria.
After conquering Manchuria in the early 13th century, the Mongols consolidated the region by organizing it into a single province known as Liaoyang.1
The administration of Mongol-controlled territories, including those in the former Jin state, was characterized by a synthesis of military rule and a gradual adoption of Chinese bureaucratic traditions. Key aspects of this administration included:2
- Military Governance: The most significant administrative office was the darughatchi (seal bearer), who initially held all-inclusive powers. Over time, these functions were increasingly delegated to specialized officials following Chinese bureaucratic models.2
- Bureaucratic Reforms: Under the influence of Yelü Chucai, a formal bureaucracy was established. This included the creation of the Central Secretariat to centralize civilian administration and the implementation of a rationalized taxation system, which replaced indiscriminate levies with land and poll taxes.2
- Economic Policy: The administration introduced monopolies on salt, wine, vinegar, and mining products to generate wealth for the Mongol court.2
While these reforms initially brought structure, the system eventually faced challenges due to opposition from Mongol feudatories and local nobles who preferred independent rule, as well as the rise of foreign officials who exploited the population, leading to widespread resentment.2