Zangpo Pal

Zangpo Pal (1261–1323) was abbot-ruler of Sakya, the leading Tibetan see under the Yuan. A nephew of Phagpa, he was exiled by Kublai Khan after his legitimacy was questioned.

When his cousin died in 1287, Kublai gave the Sakya estates to the Sharpa family instead. Temür Khan recalled him in 1296, and he took full abbot-ruler power in 1306.

Named State Preceptor in 1311, he fathered thirteen sons; his reign was peaceful, but in 1322 his sons were split into four palace branches, sowing rivalries that weakened Sakya before his death in 1323.