From Ögedei’s death in 1241 CE until 1246 CE the Mongol Empire was ruled under the regency of Ögedei’s widow, Töregene Khatun. She set the stage for the ascension of her son, Güyük, as Great Khan, and he would take control in 1246. He and Ögedei’s nephew Batu Khan (both grandsons of Genghis Khan) fought bitterly for power; Güyük died in 1248 on the way to confront Batu.
Another nephew of Ögedei’s (and so a third grandson of Genghis Khan’s), Möngke, then took the throne in 1251 with Batu’s approval. In 1255, well into Möngke’s reign, Batu had repaired his relationship with the Great Khan and so finally felt secure enough to prepare invasions westward into Europe. Fortunately for the Europeans, however, he died before his plans could be implemented.
The Mongol Empire Under MöngkeMöngke’s rule established some of the most consistent monetary and administrative policies since Genghis Khan. In the mercantile department he:
Forbade extravagant spending and limited gifts to the princes.Made merchants subject to taxes.Prohibited the demanding of goods and services from civilian populations by merchants.Punished the unauthorized plundering of civilians by generals and princes (including his own son).In 1253, Möngke established the Department of Monetary Affairs to control the issuance of paper money. This new department contributed to better econimic stability including:
Limiting the overissue of currency, which had been a problem since Ögedei’s reign.Standardizing a system of measurement based on the silver ingot.Paying out all debts drawn by high-rank Mongol elites to important foreign and local merchants.Möngke recognized that if he did not meet his predecessor’s, Güyük’s, financial obligations, it would make merchants reluctant to continue business with the Mongols. Like many other rules around the world at this time, his hope was to take advantage of the budding commercial revolution in Europe and the Middle East. Ata-Malik Juvaini, a 13th-century Persian historian, commented on the virtue of this move, saying, “And from what book of history has it been read or heard…that a king paid the debt of another king? ”
The Mongol Empire’s administration followed a trend that was occurring in the Western Europe, in which kings and emperors were finding efficient ways to manage their administrative and legals systems and fund crusades, conquests, and wars. From 1252–1259, Möngke conducted a census of the Mongol Empire including Iran, Afghanistan, Georgia, Armenia, Russia, Central Asia and North China. The new census counted not only households but also the number of men aged 15–60 and the number of fields, livestock, vineyards, and orchards.
Möngke also tried to create a fixed poll tax collected by imperial agents, which could be forwarded to the needy units. He taxed the wealthiest people most severely. But the census and taxation sparked popular riots and resistance in the western districts and in the more independent regions under the Mongol umbrella. These rebellions were ultimately put down, and Möngke would continue to rule

• Centralized Power: Genghis Khan established a centralized power structure that gave him complete control over all aspects of Mongol life. He was the ultimate authority on all matters and had the power to make decisions without consulting anyone else.



• Code of Law: Genghis Khan introduced a code of law that was fair and just. The code was based on the principles of equality and justice, and it applied to all people, regardless of their social status or wealth.



• Military Power: The Mongol army was the backbone of the administration. Genghis Khan placed great emphasis on the military and spent most of his time and resources building and training his army. He also introduced a system of conscription that ensured a steady supply of soldiers.



• Meritocracy: Genghis Khan believed in meritocracy and appointed people to positions of power based on their abilities and skills, rather than their social status or wealth. This allowed talented people from all walks of life to rise to positions of power.



• Religious Tolerance: Unlike many other conquerors, Genghis Khan was tolerant of all religions. He allowed his subjects to practice their own religion and did not impose his beliefs on anyone else.



• Taxation: The Mongol administration was funded by taxation. Genghis Khan introduced a simple and efficient tax system that was based on the production of each household. This allowed the government to collect taxes easily and fairly.



• Distribution of Power: Genghis Khan divided his empire into several administrative units, each headed by a governor. These governors were responsible for maintaining law and order in their respective territories and reporting directly to Genghis Khan.



• Communication: Genghis Khan established an efficient communication system that allowed him to keep in touch with his governors and generals. He also encouraged the use of writing and established a written language for the Mongols.

Overall, Genghis Khan's administration was characterized by its efficiency, fairness, and military power. He was a strong and visionary leader who laid the foundations for a great empire that lasted for centuries.