Carrie Sue Jones, age 14, of Decatur, I11., for her question:

WHO WAS KUBLAI KHAN?

Kublai Khan was the grandson of Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol dynasty that ruled China from 1279 to 1368. Kublai was the son of Tolui and brother of the fourth Great Kahn, Mangu.

Kublai conquered Yunnan and Annam. When Mangu died in 1259, Kublai became Great Khan and ruler of the Mongol Empire. But his older brothers did not recognize Kublai's new position. They disregarded Genghis Kahn's warning to his heirs to remain united under one Great Khan, and the unity of the All Mongolia Empire soon ended.

By 1279, Kublai had completed the conquest of China and for the first time in Chinese history, a barbarian people had taken over the whole country.

Under Kublai's rule, however, art and science flourished and cultural relations were established with countries throughout the world.