The Bogd Khanate of Mongolia [ a ] was a country in Outer Mongolia between and and again from to On 29 December the Mongols declared their independence from the collapsing Qing dynasty following the outbreak of the Xinhai Revolution. This ushered in the period of "Theocratic Mongolia", [ 5 ] and the realm of the Bogd Khan is usually known as the "Bogd Khanate". Three historical currents were at work during this period. The second was the Russian Empire's determination to achieve the twin goals of establishing its own preeminence in the country but at the same time ensuring Outer Mongolia's autonomy within the nascent Republic of China ROC.
The third was the ultimate success of the ROC in eliminating Outer Mongolian autonomy and establishing its full sovereignty over the region from to Finally, under the influence of the Russian Civil War , the Mongols expelled the Chinese warlords in , and Mongolia regained its independence under the leadership of the Communists.
The only country to recognize Mongolia as a legitimate state was Tibet , which also declared its independence from Qing China. Tibet and Mongolia later signed a friendship treaty and affirmed mutual recognition. At the time, the government was still composed of a feudal Khanate, which held its system in place largely with the power of agriculture, as most traditional pastoral societies of East Asia had been. The new Mongolian state was a fusion of very different elements: Western political institutions, Mongolian theocracy, and Qing imperial administrative and political traditions.
A parliament ulsyn khural was created, comprising upper and lower houses. A new Mongolian government was formed with five ministries: internal affairs, foreign affairs, finance, justice, and the army. Consequently, a national army was created. He promoted the ruling princes and lamas by one grade, an act traditionally performed by newly installed Chinese emperors. Lay and religious princes were instructed to render their annual tribute, the "nine whites". By tradition the "nine whites" were eight white horses and one white camel.
On this occasion, the "nine whites" consisted of 3, horses and camels [ 11 ] sent to the Bogd Khaan instead of the Qing Emperor as in the past. Again, the Bogd Khaan appropriated to himself the right to confer ranks and seals of office upon the Mongolian nobility. The Bogd Khaan himself was the inevitable choice as leader of the state in view of his stature as the revered symbol of Buddhism in Mongolia. He was famed throughout the country for his special oracular and supernatural powers and as the Great Khan of Mongols.
