Batu Khan

Batu Khan (c. 1205 – 1255) was a Mongol ruler and the founder of the Blue Horde. Batu was a son of Jochi and grandson of Genghis Khan. His Blue Horde became the Golden Horde (or Kipchak Khanate), which ruled Rusand the Caucasus for around 250 years, after also destroying the armies of Poland and Hungary. He was the nominal leader of the Mongol invasion of Europe, although his general, Subutai is credited with masterminding strategy. After gaining control of Rus, Volga Bulgaria and the Crimea he invaded Europe winning the Battle of Mohi against Béla IV of Hungary on April 11, 1241. In 1246, he returned to Mongolia for the election of the new Great Khan, perhaps hoping to be a candidate. When his rival, Guyuk Khan became Great Khan, he returned to his khanate and built his capital at Sarai on the Volga. Known as Saria Batu, this remained the capital of the Golden Horde until it collapsed.

Batu's Khan's role in the Russian and European campaigns is sometimes downplayed due to the role played by his general. However, it is to Batu Khan's credit that he listened to his general's counsel, putting his long experience in the field to good use. Perhaps the most significant aspect of Batu Khan's legacy and of the Mongol invasion of Europe was that it helped to draw Europe's attention to the world beyond the European space. As long as the Mongol Empire itself lasted, the Silk Road was protected and secure, open for travel by diplomats such as the Papal Nuncio who attended the 1246 Assembly as well as for trade. To some extent, the Mongol Empire and the Mongol invasion of Europe, of which Batu Khan was at least nominally in charge, served as a bridge between different cultural worlds."

The above information cited from New World Encyclopdia.

Batu Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan was truly a visionary and explorer of The Unknown.

Batu Khan went beyond the known boundary of the Turko-Mongol tribes in Mongolia, Manchuria, Siberia and Northern China to explore the mysterious and unknown lands of Western Europe, Russia, Hungary, Germany and Poland. Even though his brilliant general Subotai was credited in winning the battles during the European campaigns, but it was due to Batu's vision, will and determination to move into these different unknown territories despite the great danger of being defeated and overwhelmed by the enemies.

The one central idea I want to emphasize to us Overseas Chinese, be it first, second, third,................generations is this similar desire to go beyond from the known, China to the vast unknown lands, such as America, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Carribean Islands, Central America, Brazil, Argentina, Western Europe, Russia and Eastern Europe, Africa, north and south of the Sahara, Union of South Africa, Madagasca, India, Siri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanma, South Korean, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, the Pacific Islands and so on.

All of us, the so called Overseas Chinese once arrive in the different unknown lands had to try to survive in a new environment, culturally, ligustically, customs, habits, living among different races, colors, religions, creeds. Each of us had to "fight" for a space to breath and survive , persist, learn and grow.

Just like Batu Khan in his days of conquest, he had to face up to all the challenges, big and small, impersonal and personal in order to survive and grow.

ALL OF US OVERSEAS CHINESE, EACH AND EVERYONE OF US ARE CONSTANTLY FIGHTING TO CONQUER A LIVING SPACE IN A STRANGE LAND FULL OF DIFFICULTIES AND CHALLENGES.

RISE UP, ALL OF YOU WITH THE BATU SPIRIT TO FIGHT AND GROW TO BETTER OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES. WE ARE ALL CONQUERORS JUST LIKE BATU KHAN IN THE PAST!


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