The Northern Yuan Dynasty, also known as the Yehe Yuan or the Mongol Northern Yuan Dynasty, was a successor state to the Yuan Dynasty that ruled over parts of Mongolia, Siberia, and northern China. It emerged in the mid-14th century after the decline and collapse of the Yuan Dynasty, and it lasted until the late 17th century.

Key features of the Northern Yuan Dynasty include:

1. Formation and Succession from the Yuan Dynasty:
   • The Yuan Dynasty, founded by Kublai Khan, was the Mongol-led dynasty in China established after the conquest of the Southern Song Dynasty. However, by the mid-14th century, internal strife, economic challenges, and uprisings weakened the Yuan Dynasty.
   • The Northern Yuan Dynasty emerged in the aftermath of the Red Turban Rebellion and the expulsion of the Yuan rulers from Dadu (modern-day Beijing) in 1368. Northern Yuan was established as a continuation of Mongol rule in the northern territories.
2. Capital and Territories:
   • The capital of the Northern Yuan Dynasty was initially in Karakorum, the traditional Mongol capital, but it was later moved to Shangdu (also known as Xanadu). Over time, the Northern Yuan rulers faced challenges in maintaining control over their territories, which included parts of Mongolia, Siberia, and northern China.
3. Ming Dynasty Relations:
   • The Ming Dynasty, which succeeded the Yuan Dynasty in China, regarded the Northern Yuan rulers as illegitimate. The Ming sought to establish its authority over the northern territories and conducted military campaigns against the Northern Yuan to secure its northern borders.
4. Oirat Invasions and Instability:
   • The Northern Yuan Dynasty faced internal divisions and external threats, particularly from the Oirat Mongols. The Oirats launched invasions into Northern Yuan territories, contributing to political instability and challenges in governance.
5. Tributary Relationship with Ming China:
   • While the Northern Yuan Dynasty maintained a tributary relationship with Ming China, the Ming regarded it as a subordinate state. The Northern Yuan rulers, at times, paid tribute to the Ming court in exchange for diplomatic recognition.
6. Later Period and Ming Occupation:
   • In the late 16th century, the Northern Yuan Dynasty became increasingly fragmented and weakened. In 1635, Ligdan Khan, the last significant ruler of the Northern Yuan, was defeated by the Qing Dynasty, and many territories fell under Qing control.
7. Qing Dynasty and Consolidation:
   • The Qing Dynasty, founded by the Manchu people, completed the conquest of the remaining Northern Yuan territories in the late 17th century. This marked the consolidation of the territories of modern Mongolia and Inner Mongolia under Qing rule.
8. Legacy:
   • The Northern Yuan Dynasty is seen as a transitional period between the Yuan and Qing dynasties. Its existence reflects the complex political landscape in Central and East Asia during the post-Yuan period, with various Mongol and ethnic groups vying for control over the steppes.

The decline of the Northern Yuan Dynasty paved the way for the rise of the Qing Dynasty, which ultimately incorporated Inner Mongolia and Outer Mongolia into the Qing Empire. The legacy of Mongol rule persisted in the region’s cultural and historical narratives.