Military Exploits
Altan Khan used his military strength to threaten the Ming Dynasty China. He led raids into China in 1529, 1530 and 1542 returning with plunder and livestock. In 1550 he crossed the Great Wall and besieged Beijing setting the suburbs on fire. In 1552 Altan Khan gained control of the remains of Karakorum, the old Mongol capital. The Chinese emperor was forced to grant special trading rights to the khanate, after signing a peace treaty with him in 1571, allowing it to trade horses for silks, which further strengthened it economically. The Chinese also granted him the title of Shunyi Wang ("Obedient and Righteous King"). During his reign he made several successful military campaigns to the west against rebellious Oirats, Kazakhs,and Kyrgizs bringing them back under his rule.
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