21 Facts About Guo Kan

Guo Kan was a Chinese general who served the Mongol Empire in their conquest of China and the West.

Guo Kan became the first governor of Baghdad during Mongol rule and was instrumental in devising the strategy for the siege of Baghdad.

Guo Kan served as a Mongol commander and was in charge of Chinese artillery units under the Yuan dynasty.

Guo Kan was one of the Han Chinese legions that served the Mongol Empire, and some of the later conquests of the Mongols were done by armies under his command.

The biography of this Han commander in the History of Yuan said that Guo Kan's presence struck so much fear in his foes that they called him the "Divine Man".

Guo Kan was raised in the household of Prime Minister Shi Tianzhe.

Guo Kan took part in the final drive in the conquest of the Jin dynasty, including the capture of Kaifeng.

Guo Kan then helped Subutai conquer West Eurasia, Europe, and the Middle East and was appointed governor of Baghdad by Hulagu.

At some point after Kublai Khan's accession as Khan, Guo Kan assisted Kublai Khan in the conquest of the Southern Song and ultimately the reunification of China under the Yuan dynasty.

Guo Kan served Subutai in the conquest of Europe a few years following the fall of the Jin dynasty.

Guo Kan then served in Hulagu's conquest of the Middle East, playing a major role in the capture and battle of Baghdad, devising the strategy of using the dikes to drown the Caliph's army, and supervising the reduction of Baghdad's walls.

Guo Kan was then appointed the first Ilkhanate Governor of Baghdad by Hulagu.

Guo Kan attacked the inaccessible fortress by "catapults on mounts".

Guo Kan took part in the final drive in the conquest of the Jin dynasty, including the capture of Kaifeng.

Guo Kan then helped Subutai conquer West Eurasia, Europe, and the Middle East and was appointed governor of Baghdad by Hulagu.

At some point after Khubilai Khan's accession as Khan, Guo Kan assisted Khubilai Khan in the conquest of the Southern Song and ultimately the unification of China under the Yuan dynasty.

Guo Kan reportedly urged Khubilai to adopt a Han Chinese-style dynastic title, establish a capital and central government, and build schools.

Guo Kan reportedly was the general who proposed capturing Xiangyang as a strategy for invading the Southern Song.

In 1276, the Song dynasty fell, and Guo Kan served as a prefect for one more year before dying.

Guo Kan was a general who helped unify the massive Yuan Mongol empire.

Guo Kan played an important role in their conquests of all corners of the empire, from the east to west.