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Kadan
Kadan
Kadan
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Kadan (also Qadan) was the son of the second Great Khan of the Mongols Ögedei and a concubine. He was the grandson of Genghis Khan and the brother of Güyük Khan. During the Mongol invasion of Europe, Kadan, along with his cousin Baidar (son of Chagatai Khan) and Orda Khan (the eldest brother of Batu Khan and khan of the White Horde), led the Mongol diversionary force that attacked Poland, while the main Mongol force struck the Kingdom of Hungary.

Key Information

Biography

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He was born from Ergene, Ögedei Khan's concubine. His only sibling from both his father and mother's side is Melig. In early 1241, Kadan's forces sacked the Polish towns of Lublin, Zawichost and Sandomierz. Kadan then attacked Masovia, while Baidar burned the evacuated Polish capital, Kraków and then Bytom, and Orda Khan assaulted the southwestern border of Lithuania. The three leaders were then to attack the Silesian capital Wrocław. Baidar began to besiege the town, but marched north with Kadan and Orda to Legnica to defeat the forces of Henry II the Pious, Duke of Silesia and High Duke of Poland, before he could join King Wenceslaus I of Bohemia. After defeating some forces of Konrad I of Masovia, Kadan's forces joined with Baidar's and Orda's at Legnica. The Christian army was crushed in the ensuing Battle of Legnica of 9 April 1241.

Mongol casualties were heavier than expected in the battle, however, and Kadan was reluctant to directly attack Wenceslaus' Bohemian forces. Kadan and Baidar skirmished against the Bohemians and were able to prevent the Bohemian king from helping King Béla IV of Hungary. After raiding Moravia, the Mongol diversionary force went to Hungary.

Qadan's siege of Olomouc

During the winter of 1241–42, Kadan sacked Buda on the way to Győr. While besieging Italian mercenaries defending Székesfehérvár, Kadan was forced to withdraw his troops after an early thaw flooded the land around the town. The Mongol prince was then sent south with one tumen to search for Béla in Croatia. Kadan first sought the Hungarian king at Zagreb, which he sacked, and then pursued him into Dalmatia. While Béla hid at Trogir, Mongols under the leadership of Kadan, in March 1242 at Klis Fortress in Croatia, experienced their first European military failure, while in pursuit for the head of Béla IV of Hungary.[1] Kadan had his Hungarian prisoners executed as supplies began to run out. To the king's surprise, Kadan headed south past Trogir toward Dubrovnik (Ragusa). While he was nearing Scutari, Kadan heard of the death of his father, Ögedei Khan. Kadan's raids through Bulgaria on his retreat from Central Europe induced the young Kaliman I of Bulgaria to pay tribute and accept Batu Khan as his liege.

In 1251 Kadan accepted the election of Möngke Khan as Khagan. According to René Grousset, he probably helped the latter to capture Eljigidei, the chief general of Güyük. Kadan was loyal to Kublai Khan and supported his army against Ariq Böke in the Toluid Civil War. He commanded a Mongol army at the first engagement with Ariq Böke and killed his general Alandar.

In many medieval sources, Kadan was mistranslated by chroniclers as Kaidu, leading to confusion about who participated in the European campaign.[2] He is also confused with another brother, Köden, who was influential in Tibet.[citation needed]

Family

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(Ögedei Khan ＞窩闊台,اوگتاى قاآن/Ūgtāī Qā'ān)

  • Kadan ＞合丹/hédān,قدان اغور/Qadān āghūr)
    • (Dorǰi ＞覩爾赤/dǔěrchì,دورجی/Dūrjī)
      • (Söse ＞小薛/xiǎoxuē,سوسه/Sūse)
        • (Singgibal ＞星吉班/xīngjíbān)
        • (Askiba ＞اسکبه/Askiba)
    • (Yesür ＞也速児/yěsùér,ییسور/Yīsūr)
    • (Qibčaq ＞قبچاق/Qibchāq)
      • (Quril ＞قوریل/Qūrīl)
    • (Qada'an ubuk ＞قدان اوبوک/Qadān ūbūk)
    • (Qurmši oγul ＞قورمشی/Qūrmshī)
    • (Yeye ＞ییه/Yeye)
      • (Örük temür ＞اورک تیمور/Ūrk tīmūr)
      • (Yiš temür ＞ایش تیمور/Yīsh tīmūr)
    • (Ebügen ＞也不干/yěbúgān,ابوکانAbūkān)
      • (Qorangsa ＞火郎撒/huǒlángsā)
    • (Yesün tu'a,也孫脱/yěsūntuō)
    • (Qoniči ＞火你/huǒnǐ)
      • (Yoǰu ＞咬住/yǎozhù)
      • (Nogai ＞那海/nàhǎi)

References

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Kadan

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from Grokipedia
Kadan (also spelled Qadan), a prominent 13th-century Mongol prince and military commander, was the son of , the second Great Khan of the (r. 1229–1241), and a grandson of , the empire's founder. Born to one of 's concubines, Kadan was a half-brother to , 's successor, and participated actively in the expansive military campaigns that defined the 's peak under his father's rule. His role as a general highlighted the empire's strategy of deploying imperial family members to lead invasions, ensuring loyalty and coordination across vast territories. Kadan's most notable contributions came during the Mongol invasions of in 1241, where he co-commanded forces alongside , grandson of Genghis, and the veteran general . Leading a detachment, he advanced through the into , devastating regions such as , , and while securing victories in multiple engagements, including the capture of the fortified town of Hermannstadt on April 11, 1241. These operations diverted Polish and Hungarian reinforcements, contributing to the Mongol success at the and the subsequent pursuit of Hungarian King Béla IV, which terrorized and demonstrated the ' tactical prowess in divided terrains. Following Ögedei's death in December 1241, the Mongol withdrawal from due to succession disputes limited further conquests under Kadan's direct command, though he continued to hold influence within the imperial family. Later accounts suggest his involvement in campaigns against the and other groups in the and , reinforcing the Golden Horde's dominance in the region established by Batu, as well as participation in Asian campaigns supporting Mongol succession in the 1250s and 1260s. Kadan's legacy endures as a symbol of the Mongol Empire's rapid expansion and the intricate web of familial alliances that sustained its military machine, leaving a lasting impact on Eurasian history through the devastation and cultural exchanges of his era.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Parentage

Kadan was born to , the second Great Khan of the (r. 1229–1241), and his concubine Argana. This positioned him within the imperial lineage as one of 's sons from a secondary union rather than one of the principal wives such as . As the son of , Kadan was the grandson of through the paternal line, thereby belonging to the prestigious clan that dominated Mongol nobility. His birth from a concubine granted him princely status but likely limited his initial prominence compared to full siblings like Güyük, who were born to 's chief consort and groomed for higher succession roles. 's family structure encompassed multiple wives and numerous concubines, reflecting traditional Mongol practices of expanding alliances and progeny among elite nomadic families. Kadan's early years were spent in the imperial court and nomadic encampments during Ögedei's reign, immersing him in the core traditions of Mongol society, including horsemanship, , and seasonal migrations essential to life. From a young age, he received rigorous military training, as was customary for sons of khans; this involved daily practice in wrestling, riding, and archery, often honed through communal hunts that simulated battlefield tactics. Such , drawn from Genghisid precedents, prepared princes like Kadan for leadership in the empire's expansive campaigns.

Family Relationships

Kadan was the son of , the second Great Khan of the , and a concubine named Argana. As such, he held a subordinate position within the family hierarchy compared to sons born to Ögedei's principal wife, , which limited his prospects for direct succession to the khanate. He was the half-brother to , Ögedei's eldest son by Töregene, who succeeded as Great Khan from 1246 to 1248 and led key military campaigns in . Kadan was also the brother to Melig (also known as ), another son of Ögedei born to a concubine, sharing a similar status outside the primary line of inheritance. This concubine origin affected their rights, as Mongol custom prioritized offspring of chief wives in dynastic succession, relegating Kadan and Melig to supporting roles within the broader Chinggisid network. Kadan's relationships extended to other members of the Ögedei branch, including cousins like Shiremun (grandson of Ögedei through his son Kochu), who briefly served as a Great Khan in 1251 under Toluid influence. His uncles, as sons of Genghis Khan—Jochi, Chagatai, and —formed the core of the imperial family, though specific interactions with them are sparsely documented beyond shared participation in empire-wide assemblies like the . Kadan married and had sons, including Dorǰi, Söse, and Singgibal, whose descendants continued the Ögedei lineage and engaged in later Mongol , contributing to the house's efforts to reclaim influence amid civil wars following Güyük's death. The House of Ögedei, encompassing Kadan's line, actively vied for supreme authority in the post-Ögedei era, though ultimately overshadowed by the Toluid branch, leading to the dynasty's gradual marginalization within the fracturing empire.

Military Career

European Invasion (1241–1242)

In early 1241, Kadan, son of , commanded a southern diversionary force of approximately 20,000 troops, operating under the overall strategic direction of and the general . This wing advanced through the , beginning with raids into and to disrupt potential Hungarian reinforcements for the main Mongol army targeting the kingdom. Kadan's campaign devastated these regions and pushed into , where his forces secured victories in multiple engagements against Saxon and Hungarian defenders, including the capture of the fortified town of Hermannstadt (modern ) on April 11, 1241. Meanwhile, a separate northern wing under (son of ), (grandson of ), and (son of ) raided , sacking cities such as , Zawichost, , , and , before decisively defeating an allied European army at the on April 9, 1241. This victory, employing feigned retreats and encirclement tactics, shattered n defenses and inflicted heavy casualties, including the death of Duke Henry II of . The northern force then raided before crossing into . Kadan's southern operations, combined with the northern raids, successfully prevented significant reinforcements from reaching , contributing to the Mongol triumph at the on April 11, 1241. Following Mohi, Kadan's contingent joined the main army in pursuing the fleeing Hungarian King Béla IV westward, terrorizing the kingdom and advancing into and . Although they sacked and conducted raids near , the Mongols failed to capture Klis Fortress or Béla IV, who escaped to Adriatic islands. The campaign concluded in early 1242 upon news of Ögedei Khan's death in December 1241, prompting a Mongol withdrawal to elect a new Great Khan; Kadan's forces retreated eastward through . This multi-front strategy exemplified the empire's coordinated warfare and Kadan's role in its execution.

Asian Campaigns and Succession Support (1251–1260s)

Following the European campaigns of 1241–1242, Kadan returned to the Mongol heartlands, leveraging his established reputation as a commander to navigate the turbulent succession politics. In 1251, he pledged loyalty to Möngke Khan upon his election as Great Khan at the kurultai on the Onon River, breaking from many of his Ögedeid relatives who opposed the Toluid claimant. This alignment provided Möngke with critical military support against rival factions from the Ögedei and Chagataid lines, helping to suppress initial challenges to his authority. Kadan's contributions extended to active operations against Ögedeid holdouts, including probable assistance in the capture of Eljigidei, the prominent general appointed by the late and leader of opposition forces in western . This punitive action underscored Kadan's role in enforcing Möngke's consolidation, as Eljigidei's in 1252 neutralized a key threat and allowed Möngke to execute several disloyal princes. During the 1250s, Kadan also supported enforcement efforts in , participating in skirmishes against rebellious tribes such as remnants of the and other steppe groups to reaffirm central control over the region. As Möngke's reign progressed into the late 1250s, Kadan shifted toward aiding in eastern power struggles, supplying troops for internal disputes and border defenses along the empire's fringes. By the early 1260s, amid rising factionalism following Möngke's death in 1259, Kadan transitioned to advisory capacities, emphasizing his steadfast to the Toluid while avoiding deeper entanglement in emerging civil conflicts.

Later Life and Legacy

Involvement in Mongol Civil Wars

Following the death of in 1259 while campaigning in , Kadan, who had earlier supported Möngke's election as Great Khan in 1251 by aiding in the capture of Ögedei loyalist Eljigidei, aligned himself with against in the resulting (1260–1264). This conflict pitted the Toluid brothers and , both sons of , against each other for control of the , with claiming the throne at a in while Kublai convened his own assembly in (modern-day ). Kadan's decision to back Kublai, despite his Ögedei lineage, stemmed from his familial ties and military experience. In the war's opening major clash in late 1260, Kadan led Kublai's forces to victory over Ariq Böke's general Alandar in , killing Alandar and scattering his army. This battle secured critical trade and supply routes from to , preventing Ariq Böke from fully consolidating power in the traditional Mongol core and allowing Kublai to besiege the capital twice during the conflict. Kadan's command demonstrated his military acumen, drawing on his experience from earlier campaigns, and marked the first significant setback for Ariq Böke's faction. Kadan further contributed strategically by rallying Ögedei loyalists and descendants to Kublai's cause, using his familial ties to counter Ariq Böke's appeals to traditionalist nobles who favored the younger brother as the more legitimate heir. Stationed in northern and , Kadan helped fortify Kublai's position by mediating disputes among Ögedei ulus members, encouraging their allegiance to avert broader fragmentation along lines and integrating their tumens into Kublai's armies. These efforts not only provided Kublai with additional manpower but also lent legitimacy to his claim by bridging the Ögedei and Toluid houses. Kadan's involvement proved pivotal in Kublai's proclamation as Great Khan at the 1260 Kaiping , enabling Kublai to project authority over eastern territories despite Ariq Böke's initial control of . However, the protracted war until Ariq Böke's surrender in 1264 exposed irreconcilable inter-clan rivalries, weakening the unified empire's cohesion and paving the way for its division into independent khanates. Kadan's role underscored the shifting alliances that defined late Mongol politics, as Ögedei descendants like him navigated loyalties amid the empire's decline.

Death and Historical Assessment

Kadan's death is estimated to have occurred circa 1260–1261, likely in or northern , during the early stages of the that erupted following Möngke Khan's death in 1259; the exact cause, location, and circumstances remain unknown due to sparse documentation in contemporary records. Mentions of Kadan in historical sources are limited and often feature transliteration variations, such as "Cadan" in Latin chronicles like those of Thomas of Spalato, or similar forms in Persian texts including Juvayni's Tarikh-i Jahangusha and Rashid al-Din's , reflecting challenges in rendering Mongolian names across languages. As a prominent Ögedeid prince, Kadan played a pivotal role in bridging the Ögedei and Toluid lineages by supporting Möngke's succession in 1251 and aligning with Toluid forces amid the empire's internal divisions, yet his demise amid the ensuing fragmentation underscored the declining influence of the Ögedeid branch. Historical records provide scant details on the fates of his descendants, with no known information on their lives or roles, in stark contrast to the well-documented lives and reigns of siblings like Güyük Khan, highlighting significant gaps in the coverage of lesser Ögedei figures. In modern , Kadan is regarded as a capable general whose command of western flanks during the 1241–1242 European invasion exemplified Mongol tactical innovation and extended the empire's reach, profoundly shaping European perceptions of the as an existential terror that prompted defensive fortifications and diplomatic shifts across the continent.
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