The Precious Summary: A History of the Mongols from Chinggis Khan to the Qing Dynasty

The Mongols, their khans, and the empire they built and ruled in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries exert an enduring fascination. The Precious Summary, written by Sagang Sechen in 1662, chronicles the fall of the Yuan dynasty in China, the Mongol-Oirat wars, and the revival of Mongol power during the reign of Dayan Khan. Johan Elverskogs translation offers invaluable perspective on Inner Asian and Chinese history, Mongolian historiography, and the history of Buddhism in Asia.

Format: Hardback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 21 March 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The Mongols, their khans, and the empire they built and ruled in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries continue to captivate our fascination. Often portrayed as a marauding horde that ravaged neighboring peoples, the Mongols, in reality, left an indelible mark on the early modern world through the creation of institutions, trading networks, economic systems, and intellectual and technological exchanges. However, the centuries that followed the waning of Mongol power have been somewhat overlooked in comparison to the era of Chinggis Khan.

The Precious Summary, penned by Sagang Sechen in 1662, shortly after the Mongols' submission to the Qing dynasty, stands as a pivotal work in Mongolian history. It chronicles the fall of the Yuan dynasty in China, the Mongol-Oirat wars, and the revival of Mongol power during the reign of Dayan Khan in the sixteenth century. Spanning a wide range of subjects, including Buddhist cosmology, Chinggis Khan, the post-Yuan Mongols, Chinese history, and the Mongols' conversion to Buddhism, Sagang Sechen's account offers a comprehensive perspective on Inner Asian and Chinese history, Mongolian historiography, and the history of Buddhism in Asia.

Johan Elverskog's translation of the Precious Summary provides invaluable insights into these historical realms. With extensive and accessible annotations and explanations of historical context, Elverskog's translation makes the work accessible to a broader audience, allowing scholars and enthusiasts alike to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of Mongolian, Inner Asian, and Chinese history.

The Mongols' impact on the world cannot be overstated. Their institutions, trading networks, and economic systems shaped the development of many regions, and their intellectual and technological exchanges had far-reaching consequences. The Precious Summary serves as a valuable reminder of the profound influence that the Mongols had on the early modern world, and Elverskog's translation contributes to our understanding of this fascinating period of history.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231206945