Temur was the son of Crown Prince Zhenjin who passed away before being able to take the reins of power from his father Kubilai. During his younger years Temur fought in the army of his grandfather suppressing the rebellion of Nayan aw well as other continuous battles to maintain the Yuan Dynasty power,

A competent Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty keeping to the ways of Kubilai and making no great new achievements, like his grandfather, he filled imperial appointments with the most able Mongols, Han Chinese, Muslims, and even a few Christians.

Because his only son Teshou died a year before Temur's own death, he left no male heir to the throne in 1307.