Nomadic Empires: The Mongols

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the historical, social, and political terminology associated with the Mongol Empire as described in the lecture notes.

Nomadic Empires

A term that describes imperial structures built by groups moving from place to place, often highlighting the contrast between their mobile lifestyles and the stable governance of vast territories.

Genghis Khan

Originally named Temujin, he was the leader who unified the Mongol tribes and was designated as the "Universal Ruler" or "Great Khan" in $1206$.

Barbarian

A label originating from the Greek word "barbaros," used by sedentary cultures to characterize nomadic peoples as unrefined or politically incapable.

Mongqol-un niuèa tobèa’an

Known as "The Secret History of the Mongols," this is the earliest primary narrative source on the life and reign of Genghis Khan.

Quriltai

An assembly of Mongol leaders and chieftains that met to make collective decisions regarding military expeditions, succession to the throne, and other critical state policies.

Gers

The traditional felt tents used by Mongol nomads as portable housing while they moved between seasonal grazing lands.

Decimal System

The organizational military structure where soldiers were divided into units of $10$, $100$, $1,000$, and $10,000$ to break old tribal loyalties.

Tuman

The largest military division in the Mongol army, consisting of approximately $10,000$ soldiers from diverse backgrounds.

Noyan

Military captains or noble ranks appointed by Genghis Khan to command units within the reorganized Mongol army.

Anda

A term meaning "blood-brother," signifying a profound bond of friendship and alliance, such as the early relationship between Temujin and Jamuqa.

Naukar

A title for bondsmen of lower hereditary rank who entered a personal relationship of service and loyalty to Genghis Khan.

Ulus

A term for the territorial or political dominion assigned to each of the four sons of Genghis Khan, initially having flexible boundaries.

Yam

The Mongol empire's efficient communications network, consisting of a series of courier outposts equipped with fresh horses for fast messaging.

Qubcur tax

A voluntary levy where nomads provided $\frac{1}{10}$ of their herds to support the functioning of the state's communication and courier systems.

Pax Mongolica

A era of peace and stability established following Mongol conquests, which facilitated a peak in trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Route.

Paiza / Gerege

Safety passes or badges (in Persian and Mongolian respectively) issued to travellers and merchants to ensure protection within Mongol lands.

Baj tax

A fee paid by merchants for the privilege of safe passage and security provided by the Mongol administration during trade.

Yasa

A code of law or set of decrees attributed to Genghis Khan that helped unify Mongol identity and provided a legal basis for governing sedentary subjects.

Qanats

Underground irrigation channels in regions like Iran that fell into neglect during the Mongol wars, resulting in long-term agricultural and environmental damage.

Guregen

A title meaning "royal son-in-law," used by the conqueror Timur to legitimize his rule through marriage to a member of the Genghis Khanid lineage.

Boris Yakovlevich Vladimirtsov

A dedicated scholar noted for his detailed research into the language, social structures, and culture of the Mongol people.

Vasily Vladimirovich Bartold

A historian whose positive views on the Mongol legacy faced official censorship during the Stalinist regime until reforms in the $1960s$.

Hsi Hsia

A group of Tibetan origin in northern China that was among the first major powers defeated by Genghis Khan's forces in $1209$.

Karakorum

The capital city of the Mongol Empire established by Ogodei, symbolizing the center of the transcontinental regime.

Abbasid Caliphate

The Islamic authority that came to an end in $1258$ following the capture of Baghdad by Hulegu's forces.