Background
After the death of Dayan Khan some time after 1517 his empire was split between his descendents and became a kind of family federation. His grandson, a different Altan Khan (1507–1582) of Tumet drove the Oirats west to Kobdo in western Mongolia. Dayan Khaan's youngest son, Gersendze Huangtaizi, was given lands approximately matching the territory of present-day Mongolia. By the early 17th century most of Outer Mongolia was held by his descendents. These formed four Khanates, from west to east:
- The Altyn Khan (great grandson of Geresandza) in the far west.
- Dzasagtu-khan, khanate founded by Laikhor-khan, a cousin of the Altyn Khan.
- Tushetu Khan at Ulan Bator founded by Abatai, another grandson. This was the senior branch.
- Sechen-khan at the eastern end of modern Mongolia, founded by Shului, a great-grandson.
The Altan Khan was important circa 1609-1682. The Tushetu Khan, with his control of the religious capital, was long the leading figure in Khalkha.
In the 17th century, to the west, the Oirat Zunghar Khanate was gradually consolidated; to the north, the Russians increased their hold over the Siberian forests and, to the east, the Manchus moved south to conquer China (Qing Dynasty).
Read more about this topic: Altan Khan Of The Khalkha
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