The Monks of Kûblâi Khân Emperor of China

This volume contains the English translation of the histories of Rabban Sawma and Mar Yahbalaha III (ca. 1230-1300), a Uighur and Church of the East monk. The Syriac text was edited by Bedjan (also available from Gorgias Press). The narrative, originally written in Persian, but abridged into Syriac, among other things, includes travels, the narrative of Mar Yahbalaha’s election as Patriarch, persecution of Christians, the building of a monastery, and wars. There are over 100 pages of prefatory material, including discussions of the Church of the East generally, the conversion of Turkestan, travels of Chinese monks, Rabban Sawma’s travels into Europe, the Patriarchate of Mar Yahbalaha III, the decline of Christianity in central Asia and China, the Mongols and Christianity, the Mongolian language, and the famous stele of Hsi-an-fu. Budge also discusses the history of scholarship on the text, which excited attention as soon as it was known. Sixteen plates are given, and five illustrations. The book concludes with an index of biblical quotations, and a general index. This text, here offered in an English translation, supplies readers with unique information on Christianity in China and across Persia into Iraq.