Khutughtu Khan Kusala

Khutughtu Khan Kusala (1300–1329), temple name Emperor Mingzong, was the eldest son of Khayishan, Emperor Wuzong. Khayishan had made his brother Ayurbarwada heir on condition that he later pass the succession to Kusala. Instead, Ayurbarwada made his son Shidebala heir, and in 1316 Kusala was relegated to Yunnan; after a failed revolt he fled to the Chagatai Khanate.

After the War of the Two Capitals in 1328 he returned with Chagatayid backing and enthroned himself north of Karakorum in 1329; his brother Tugh Temür abdicated in his favour, and Kusala made Tugh Temür his heir. Four days after a banquet with Tugh Temür he died suddenly, widely believed poisoned by the strongman El Temür.