3 Nestorian Christians in Central Asia and China in the Mongol Era

Abstract

The thirteenth and fourteenth century diffusion of the Nestorian faith in Central Asia and China was much facilitated by the Mongol rule. This chapter introduces the Nestorian Christians among the different tribes in Central Asia and China before and during the Mongol era. It further introduces certain dimensions of the Mongolian rule favourable to the Church of the East during the Mongol period. The chapter limits mainly to Chinese and medieval Western sources on the Ongut and their rulers and, occasionally, a Persian source. The rise of the Ongut is much associated with the Mongol conquest of the Naiman. Chinese and Western sources on King George-Kuolijisi in Chinese- are relatively abundant, indicating the king's prominence. In Central Asia the spread of the plague seems to have played a role in the decline of Nestorian Christians.Keywords:Ongut; King George; Mongol era; Naiman; Nestorian Christians