The Northern Yuan dynasty, or simply the Northern Yuan, refers to the Mongol regime based in Mongolia homeland after the fall of the Yuan dynasty in China in 1368, until the emergence of the Qing dynasty founded by the Manchus in the 17th century. The Northern Yuan dynasty began with the end of Mongol rule in China and retreat of the Mongols to the Mongolian steppe, and this period was marked by factional struggles and the often only nominal role of the Great Khan.