Ariq Böke

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Ariq Böke Arigh Bukha
Died	1266
Father	Tolui

Ariq Böke, or Arigh Bukha, or a combination of both (Mongolian: Аригбөх; Chinese: 阿里不哥; died 1266), the youngest son of Tolui, was a grandson of Genghis Khan and a claimant to the Mongol Empire. His brothers were Möngke Khan, Hulagu Khan and Kublai Khan.

In 1259 the Great Khan Möngke died. As Ariq Böke was commander of the Mongol homelands, and as Kublai Khan was campaigning against Song China at the time of Möngke's death, he decided to attempt to make himself Khan. Hearing of this, Kublai aborted his Chinese expedition and had himself elected as Khan in April of 1260. Still, Ariq Böke had his supporters and was elected as a rival to Kublai at Karakorum. The brothers then engaged in a series of battles, ending with Ariq Böke's capture in 1264. Kublai held him prisoner until he died two years later.

"At least when viewed in retrospect, Ariq Böke can be seen as representing an influential school of thought among the Mongols, which Kublai through his actions and attitudes after 1260 opposed. Some Mongols felt there was a dangerous drift towards softness, typified in those like Kublai who thought there was something to be said for settled civilization and for the Chinese way of life. In the traditionalist view, the Mongol center ought to remain in Mongolia, and the Mongols' nomadic life be preserved uncontaminated. China ought merely to be exploited. Ariq Böke came to be regarded as this faction's figurehead." (Morgan 2007, pp.104-105)

Ariq Böke is also known for being sympathetic towards Christianity.