Who ordered the construction of Karakorum?

Ögedei Khan ordered the construction of Karakorum. Although Genghis Khan had selected the Orkhon Valley as a camp and imperial center around 1220, Karakorum became a permanent, walled city under his son and successor Ögedei.

Construction began in earnest around 1235, after the Mongols defeated the Jin dynasty in northern China. Ögedei had city walls and a fixed palace built, transforming what had largely been a settlement of tents into the administrative capital of the expanding Mongol Empire. He also encouraged Mongol elites to build residences nearby.

Karakorum became a remarkably multicultural center. Chinese, Muslim, Central Asian, and European craftsmen and merchants lived or worked there, and the court supported Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, and Taoist communities. The Flemish Franciscan William of Rubruck visited the city in 1253–1254 and described its diverse population and impressive palace.

The usual confusion is between founding the site and constructing the city. Genghis Khan is associated with the original camp and capital location, while Ögedei ordered the permanent city's major building program.