Mongolia: Altan Khan (1507-1582), Lord of the Tumet Mongols.

Altan Khan (1507-1582), ruler of the Tumet Mongols and de facto ruler of the Right Wing, or western tribes, of the Mongols, was the grandson of Dayan Khan (1464-1543), a descendant of Kublai Khan (1215-1294), who had managed to unite a tribal league between the Khalkha Mongols in the north and the Chahars (Tsakhars) to the south. His name means 'Golden Khan' in Mongolian. Altan Khan is particularly remembered for re-establishing ties between Mongolia and the religious leaders of Tibet. Altan Khan first invited the Sonam Gyatso to Tumet in 1569, but apparently he refused to go and sent a disciple instead, who reported back to him about the great opportunity to spread Buddhist teachings throughout Mongolia.