Kublai or Khubilai Khan (September 23, 1215 - February 18, 1294) (Mongolian: ??????? ????, ), was the fifth and last Khagan (1260?1294) of the Mongol Empire. In 1271, he founded the Yuan Dynasty, and became the first Yuan emperor. He was the second son of Tolui and Sorghaghtani Beki and a grandson of Genghis Khan. The civil war between him and his younger brother Ariq Böke over the succession of their older brother Möngke (died in 1259) essentially marked the end of a unified Mongol empire. Early years Kublai studied Chinese culture and became enamored of it. In 1251, his elder brother Möngke became Khan of the Mongol Empire, and Kublai became the governor of the southern territories of the Mongol Empire. During his years as governor, Kublai managed his territory well, boosting the agricultural output of Henan and increasing social welfare spendings after receiving Xi'an. These ac