96-97 the Mongols

Chiraa-Khoor

• This is a song about an orphan herder fleeing a feudal lord (noyon) who envied his horse, Chiraa-Khoor.
• The herder fled from the upper Khemchik River in Bai-Taiga towards Tandi.
• He poetically names the natural sights along his journey.

Global View (1206-1279 C.E.)

• The map shows elevation and geographic regions including Europe, Arabian, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, Gobi Desert, China, and more.

Asian Steppes

• Dry, grassy plains in sub-tropic climates between tropics and polar regions.
• Semi-arid: receive some rain to support short grasses but not enough for tall trees.

Geographic Characteristics and Mongolian Lifestyle

• Mountainous areas
  • Limited protection; challenging to travel over.
• Flat land (dry grassland) called the steppe
  • Always on the move (nomadic).
  • Pastoralist (herded animals).
  • Clan-based.
  • Not unified.
  • Build collapsible, transportable homes (yurts).
• Not directly near water
• Parts of it are a desert plain

Mongols: Nomadic & Pastoral

Yurts

• Round tents covered with felt that were easily transported.

Mongol History and Genghis Khan

• Mongolians were small tribal societies, but their empire reached from Korea to Poland and from Vietnam to Syria.
• They built the largest land empire ever in history.
• They had few material possessions.
• 1167: Temudgin (Genghis Khan) born.
• His father was killed by a rival clan, leading to a difficult childhood.

Unifying the Mongol Tribes

• The Mongols were organized into tribes based on family connection.
• They fought and raided each other for plunder, women, and to avenge insults.
• No marriages were allowed between the tribes.
• The tribes were economically self-sufficient.
• Mongolia was a vast territory, approximately four times the size of France.

Conclusions (Actions taken to Unify Tribes)

• Established a capital at Karakorum.
• Made alliances with different Mongol tribes.
• Put competent & loyal allies in key positions instead of family.
• Organized his warriors into units of 10 without regard to kin.
• Military conscription: every male above the age of 14 was required to serve in the military.
• Developed a code of law to end clan divisions:
  • Abolished inherited aristocratic titles.
  • Forbade the selling and kidnapping of women; banned theft.

Women in Mongol Society