Mongush Buyan-Badyrgy

Mongush Buyan-Badyrgy (Tuvan: Моңгуш Буян-Бадыргы, Russian: Монгуш Буян-Бадыргы; 25 April 1892 – 22 March 1932) was a Tuvan politician and statesman. Adopted by a noyon (chieftain) after his birth, he succeeded his adoptive father in that role between 1907 and 1909. He was the noyon for his kozhuun (administrative division) as the region of Tuva went from Chinese control to a protectorate of Russia in 1914, known as Uryankhay Krai. He was a leading figure in the protectorate and later chaired the All-Tuva Constituent Council in 1921, which established the region as an independent country, the Tannu Tuva People's Republic (later Tuvan People's Republic).

A top official in the ruling Tuvan People's Revolutionary Party (TPRP), Buyan-Badyrgy became the new country's head of state in 1921. Remaining in that post through 1922, he later served as head of government, general secretary of the TPRP, and held a number of other important roles in the country. Considered a skilled diplomat, he led in negotiations with surrounding countries regarding various issues and helped Tuva receive official recognition from the Soviet Union and Mongolia.

However, in the late 1920s, the increasing promotion of Buddhist theocratic policies by several leading Tuvans including Buyan-Badyrgy drew the irritation of the government of the Soviet Union. In response, the Soviets helped several young Tuvans overthrow the government in 1929. This led to the arrests of Buyan-Badyrgy and several others, and he was executed without trial in 1932. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Buyan-Badyrgy has become a revered figure among Tuvans, with several monuments being built of him and the second-highest honor of the Republic of Tuva being named after him.