Tserendondovyn Navaanneren (Mongolian: Цэрэндондовын Навааннэрэн, 1877–1937) was the 20th Khan of the hereditary Setsen Khanate located in the eastern third of modern-day Mongolia. His full title was "Mahasamadi Dalai Setsen Khan". The first Setsen Khan (Wise Khan) was Sholoi (1577–1655) of the Khalkha, who was a direct descendant of Genghis Khan through Batumongke Dayan Khan (1464–1543).[citation needed]
Life
Navaanneren was born in 1877 as the eldest son of Tserendondov, a grandson of Setsen Khan Artased (reigned 1817–1874). Tserendondov had struggled for the Setsen Khan throne but lost to Demchigdorj. Tserendondov died leaving Navaanneren an orphan to be raised by his uncle. When he was young he studied to become a monk and mastered the Manchu and Chinese languages. He became Setsen Khan in 1910 because the previous Khan Demchigdorj died without a son and he was the next in line (there was an unsuccessful attempt on Navaanneren's life). In this way Navaanneren was thrown into state affairs and left the monastic state. He was described by many as an approachable, kind-hearted man. In 1910 Mongolia was still part of the ManchuQing dynasty (1644–1911). The Setsen Khan had submitted to the Manchus in 1691 at Dolonnor. While the Manchus recognized the Setsen Khan and left his large territory in Eastern Mongolia intact they were aware that this was a pre-Manchu Khanate and so established numerous banners (Mongolian: khoshuu) inside the Setsen Khan Aimag, giving a great deal of power to the governors (zasag) of the banners while appeasing the Setsen Khans with regular lavish presents and high salary. After 1911 when Mongolia was freed from Manchu rule and the Bogd Khaganate (1911–1919) was established, Navaanneren was given the title "Mahasamadi Dalai Setsen Khan", made Minister of Justice (Shiguhu Yaman-u Sayid), elevated 31 grades, given 20 decorations, a three-eyed peacock feather otgo, green-colored hereditary Royal Coach, yellow vestment and orange reins. He also continued as Setsen Khan for two years under the Constitutional Monarchy period (1921–1924). His queen did not give birth to a son. He divorced his queen and became a monk again in 1922 taking the monastic name Yundenbazar. He was later appointed Minister of the Interior in line with the Mongolian People's Republic's policy of using 'old intellectuals'.
