The Tran Dynasty

The Tran Dynasty

The Tran Dynasty  was a Vietnamese dynasty that ruled Vietnam (at that time known as Dai Viet) from 1225 to 1400. They are credited with 3 victories over Mongol invasions, most notably a decisive battle at the Bach Dang River.

The dynasty began in 1225 when king Thai Tong ascended to the throne after overthrowing the Ly Dynasty. The dynasty ruled for a total of 175 years, ending in 1400 when king Thieu De, then 5 years old, was forced to abdicate the throne in favor of his maternal grandfather Ho Qui Ly.

History
The person who actually founded the Tran Dynasty was Tran Thu Do. When the Lý Dynasty was in a period of decline, much of the power fell into the hands of Tran Thu Do. After he forced Lý Chiêu Hoàng (then 7 years old) to abdicate the throne for her husband Tran Canh (then 8), the Tran Dynasty officially began. In their 175-year reign, the Tran rulers three times successfully led the Vietnamese people in their resistance against the invading Mongol forces of the Yuan Dynasty: in 1258, 1285, and 1288. (See Mongol invasions of Vietnam.) However, in their later years (from Emperor Dụ Tông on), the dynasty declined due to many reasons, foremost among them was the weakness and corruption of the civil service system. Finally, in 1400, Ho Qui Ly usurped the throne, ending the Trans' 175-year rule.

It was also under the Tran Dynasty that Vietnam started the southward expansion (Nam Tiến) and a series of wars with its southern neighbor, Champa. The Dai Viet kingdom eventually emerged not only as winner in this series of wars but also prevented eastward expansion of the Indian-Thai influence.