The Birth and Development of Dadu 大都 within the Mongol Empire - “The Court of People and Horses” and Power of Absence -

Research reveals that Dadu (modern-day Beijing), under the Mongol Empire's dual capital system, functioned as both a winter settlement and a critical node connecting the empire's seasonal capitals. Contrary to conventional views, Dadu was not primarily an imperial center but served as a hub for annual grants to Mongol princes and officials, while Shangdu (Xanadu) remained the revered summer capital. The study highlights that Qubilai Qa’an’s absence from Dadu—due to nomadic customs and political caution—created a unique 'power of absence,' where the monarch's return was ritualized and economically significant. This dynamic challenged traditional Confucian city models, emphasizing a mobile monarchy and a culture shaped by seasonal migration, shamanism, and administrative control.

Seol, P. (2022). The Birth and Development of Dadu 大都 within the Mongol Empire - “The Court of People and Horses” and Power of Absence -. The Korean History Education Review, 163, 109–164. https://doi.org/10.18622/kher.2022.09.163.109