Hall of Infinite Doors
Introduction:
Mongolia is a country nestled between Russia and China that exists relatively unnoticed by the rest of the world. It is hard to imagine that 800 years ago this seemingly insignificant nation forged one of the largest empires mankind has ever seen. Common misconception indicates that the Mongols were nothing more than a hoard of fierce savages. History reveals, however, that this is not so. There must have been something more to the Mongols than a thirst for war if they were actually able to construct and maintain an empire for over 150 years. As with many great empires, the creation of the Mongolian Empire was initiated by one man. His name is Ghengis Khan. Jack Weatherford said in his recent best seller Ghengis Khan and the Making of the Modern World says this of Ghengis Khan.
"He was the greatest conqueror in the history of the world, and the greatest lawgiver. He was a visionary who recognized the value of communication, and that, to rule, you had to have the allegiance of the people, not just control the land" (Weatherford 79).
He set into motion events that would unite almost half of the world under one rule. Even after his death his grandson Kublai Khan continued its expansion. The Mongols employed one of the most well trained and effective armies to ever march the earth. Their unequalled military helped gain them territory and then their superior diplomatic skills helped them rule and maintain it. Many aspects of Mongol society were ahead of their time and set precedents that would shape history long after its downfall. The Mongols who conquered much of Eurasia in the 13th century did so with a well trained army, a well governed society and attention to economics leaving behind a legacy that would profoundly impact world history.
Well Trained Army:
A well trained army is an essential building block of any empire. It can maintain peace within a realm, it can be used to defend from attack by other nations and it can be employed to conquer other lands and assimilate them into the empire for which they fight. Conquest was the reason the Mongol army was assembled and it served its purpose effectively. In his book, The Devil's Horsemen, James Chambers says,
"In the thirteenth century the Mongol Army was the best army in the world.
Its organization and training, its tactical principles and its structure of
command would not have been unfamiliar to a soldier of the twentieth century." (Chambers 51)
The key element to any army is manpower. If one has no loyal soldiers one has no army. Therefore, if Ghengis Khan had the best army in the world he must have had very loyal warriors.
Poverty and lack of necessities is the reason throughout history that people have rallied behind a leader. This can be seen throughout history, such as in Germany before World War II. The people of Germany were poor and their economy had declined. They had lost all their former glory and were left with nothing so they rallied behind a powerful leader who promised change, Adolf Hitler. Ghengis Khan was no different. He united the tribes of Mongolia and began to suppress customs that pressured poverty and discord. Once they were no longer fighting amongst themselves they could fight together (Chambers 53). Ghengis Khan had to be a leader that men would respect and fight and he fulfilled this requirement exceptionally well. His army was convinced that he was appointed by God to the task of leadership and followed him so.
A charismatic leader who wards off depravation is an important step, but without organization no army would be viable and successful. Ghengis Khan was a genius of military organization. "His strange genius lay in his immense strength of will," according to historian Harold Lamb (Lamb, March 39). He organized his army thoughtfully and with purpose. He used cohesion and persistence as well as inspiration. The greatest horsemen in history filled the ranks of his hoards. They had trained to the point where any target could be struck moving at full speed. Their skill on horseback was the equivalent of a master archer on solid ground. This lethal combination of speed and accuracy shattered enemy ranks and send them fleeing into the surrounding countryside. Ghengis Khan used a decimal system to organize his troops in groups of ten, one hundred, one thousand and ten thousand. He communicated to them through hand signals during battle. With this strict organization the troops could be moved very quickly even in the chaos battle brings. Because his entire army was on horse back it was very versatile and could cover great distances at unprecedented speeds. If his superior battle tactics and unearthly agility were not enough to scare the enemy Ghengis was sure to make an example of all those who resisted. Any city or town who did not surrender to his army would have its populace be systematically slaughtered. His methods of war spread throughout the world very quickly and anchored feelings of intense fear in all those against him. This reputation of immense strength and unimaginable terror allowed the Mongols to conquer many areas without raising a weapon (Hooker 1996).
A further testament to his genius, Ghengis was able to inspire his men in a way that no great military leader had before him. In order to distinguish between ranks, all of his officers were given a "paitze" which is a small tablet made of silver or gold. This was very important because of the psychological implications. When an officer received a paitze he was given a feeling of power. These objects were sought after by all the soldiers of the Mongolian military not because of their actual physical value but because of the status they represented. Soldiers remained loyal and worked exceptionally hard because they wanted to achieve the honor that came with a rank. Once an officer received a paitze he would want to receive one of a better status, such as a gold tablet over a silver tablet so he would still remain loyal to Ghengis and strive to do his best. The same is true for the uniforms issued to all his soldiers. They ascended in rank creating the same psychological effect as the paitzes (Chambers 55).
Ghengis Khan made it top priority to have his men well equipped. He mandated inspections by the officers of the men and their equipment to be sure it was at par. All soldiers were issued proper clothing, protective equipment and uniforms ascending in rank. His men were also equipped with an impressive arsenal of weapons. Each soldier would be provided with a minimum of sixty arrows and a bow for ranged weapons. For melee weapons his soldiers were provided with swords, javelins, scimitars, battle axes and a lance. His men lived on the saddle so their horses were also well equipped. Along with weapons and armor Ghengis Khan insisted that his soldiers had all their personal needs packed in saddle bags (Chambers 54-56). Napoleon Bonaparte once stated "An army travels on its stomach (Bartlett)." Ghengis Khan understood this concept even though he came long before Napoleon's time. He took care of all his soldiers' needs and in return he received fierce loyalty. This was another testament to his genius. Instead of cutting corners to preserve resources like many other generals had done Ghengis took the additional effort to fully equip his armies because he had foresight to see that it would pay off later. His army did not depend on supply lines ergo they were free of the problems and restrictions that frequently arise when dealing with supply lines over vast expanses of terrain. He understood that a group of ill equipped starving men was much more likely to be defeated on the battle field and also more likely to desert and not follow orders. With his armies well equipped and motivated to move forward in the ranks he had his men ready to serve and willing to work and fight their hardest.
A well organized army is only as good as the strategies used when it is employed. Fortunately for the Mongols Ghengis Khan was not only a master of organization but a brilliant tactician. "The Chinese said that he led his armies like a god (Lamb, Ghengis Khan 211)." For a proud enemy to be humbled enough to admit that their adversary is godlike in any respects is evidence enough to show that it is an undeniable fact. The Chinese fought and were crushed by Ghengis Khan and became witness to his unequalled stratagems. He developed many combat maneuvers that helped his men see victory on countless fields of battle. One of his most important and frequently used maneuvers was the "Tucughma" AKA the standard sweep. This battle maneuver involves turning the enemy around so they may be attacked from the flank and turned in on themselves. This led to enough chaos among the ranks of the opposing army that his superior horse archers could sweep through and crush the enemy forces. He tailored his forces for mobility and speed so that these strategies could be more efficiently executed. It wasn't sheer combat prowess alone that made Ghengis's strategy so remarkable, he also employed careful planning before mounting an attack. Reconnaissance and military intelligence were used to gain sensitive information about the enemy (Lamb, Ghengis Khan 60). Ghengis Khan understood the importance of knowing what you are up against. His war tactics allowed the Mongol armies to sweep across Asia like a tidal wave of perfectly orchestrated destruction and terror.
A Cohesive Society:
Defeating an opposing army is only one facet of gaining a new territory. Conquest requires a well trained well equipped army with effective battle strategies. Control of the conquered land and people requires more. One benefit of the reputation Ghengis Khan had gained was that his strengths created confidence in his followers. One may ask themselves how could someone who today is remembered as the personification of ruthless cruelty have formed a cohesive society. The answer lies partly in the fact that Ghengis Khan never saw himself as an aggressor; with only one exception the Mongol army always marched in answer to at least some form of provocation. It further lies in the fact that he governed with the same organized control that he used to lead his army (Chambers 44).
Ghengis Khan codified laws with which he governed over 50 nations. His laws were according to Michael Prawdin "far less cruel than the laws of Islam (230)." But that is exactly what was needed. When at age 40 Temuchin was divinely appointed to rule all nations and bear the name Ghengis Khan. He was a Khan of Khans Ruler of Rulers and this was something new among these nomadic people. He was wise enough to understand that loyalty was imperative. There could be only one ruler and that ruler had to be obeyed. Ghengis asked assembled people,
"If you wish me to be your ruler, are you without exception ready and resolved to fulfill all my behests; to come when I summon you, to go withersoever I may send you; and to put to death whomsoever I may indicate (Prawdin 85)?"
He had shown the benefit of his authority and the gathered "rulers" loudly proclaimed their willingness to obey his every command. "He was the "Ssutu-Bogdo the god sent, -- who raised, not his own tribe alone, but all the 400,000 Mongols above every other people (Prawdin 86)." Marco Polo said Ghengis Khan was " one of approved integrity, great wisdom, commanding eloquence, and eminent for his valour" (Polo 118). Polo goes on to show why a cohesive society formed as the result of the actions of Ghengis Khan. Polo states, "He began his reign with so much justice and moderation that he was beloved and revered as their deity rather than their sovereign" (Polo 118). The Mongols were happy to be ruled by such a man. Nine provinces were combined to form an Empire. It simply follows that a ruler rules with integrity and organizes a chain of command governing as he did with the army. Two years after the death of Ghengis Khan conditions which had prevailed before his rise to power in Mongolia threatened to return; the vast country seemed likely to split up into a number of independent tribes. The only difference would be instead of spreading over Mongolia they would spread over half of Asia (Prawdin).
Even after his death night up to the time of his grandson Kublai Khan, the cohesive society Ghengis Khan had developed remained intact largely because of respect for him. The loyalty he had gained from his people was so strong that not even his death eliminated it. China became a center of trade during Kublai Khan's reign. The unity of the Mongolian realm had remained consistent and had been preserved.
"Kublai Khan's fame spread over the continent. Vassaf, a Persian writer: 'Although the distance of our country from the centre of the Mongolian realm, the focus of the universe, the life-giving residence of our ever fortunate Emperor and transcendently just Khan, is more than a year's journey, the glory of his deeds has reached our ears. His legislation, his justice, the profundity and fineness of his spirit, the wisdom of his decisions, his amazingly good government are according to learned travelers so enormously superior to anything that has hitherto been known in the World " (Prawdin 330-331).
The conquered lands became an empire of note to the world.
Economics:
Strong leadership and an effective government are vital to a society's survival but alone cannot maintain it. Economy is the other vital piece of the puzzle. In order to establish a strong Mongolian empire the economy had to be strengthened and organized much like the government had been. The geography and people had existed for thousands of years but Ghengis Khan unified the Mongols with a sense of purpose. He brought them together in unity and in doing so their resources were combined. They became a unified force whose economic strengths grew along with their territory. To maintain communication between his armies Ghengis Khan pieced together caravan routes. These roads later evolved into trade routes.
"In the Mongol world even before Ghengis Khan there was a communication system not unlike the pony express in the US. It was called the yam. Throughout the empire a network of yam stations were established to provide food, shelter, and fresh horses to imperial messengers" (Chambers 61). The yam, developed by Ghengis Khan "was telegraph, railroad, and parcel post all in one" (Lamb Ghengis Khan 164).
The yam allowed tradesmen from all regions to seek the Mongols in the Gobi. Jews, Armenians, and Mongol soldiers all traveled these roads and used the yam. The Mongols were masters of these roads (Lamb Ghengis Khan 167). Mongols prized their commercial and trade relationships with neighboring economies. Ghengis Khan knew the importance of trade and economy and they continued these trade relationships during their expansion through conquest. "All merchants and ambassadors, having proper documentation and authorization, traveling through the realms were protected. This gave enormous surge to overland trade" (Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia). Almost all overland trade passed through Mongol controlled territories.
Ghengis Khan gave the Mongols amalgamation, lands and riches. The economy continued to flourish under Kublai Khan. Christopher Columbus was sailing to Cathay the land of Ghengis Khan when he ended up in the area named San Salvador. Marco Polo was young and gallant when he became rich in the land of Kublai Khan. John Mansfield says in his introduction to Marco Polo's Travels "When Marco Polo went to the East, the whole of Central Asia, so full of splendor and magnificence, so noisy with nations and kings, was like a dream in men's minds" (xi). Marco Polo draws a picture of the wealth of the economy enjoyed by the Mongols during the reign of Kublai Khan. As he describes the Khan's birthday,
" the grand khan appears in a superb dress of cloth of gold, and on the same occasion full twenty nobles and military officers clad by him in dresses similar from this parade an idea may be formed of the magnificence of the grand khan, which is unequalled by that of any monarch in the world." (Polo 186-187)
Ghengis Khan laid the groundwork for an empire so rich it could put all others to shame. Having this much wealth to flaunt is an indication of an empire with a flourishing economy.
Kublai Khan was the great heir and successor of Ghengis Khan; he was ruler of a substantial part of the world. He also was the supreme authority of the wealthiest empire in the world. He continued the legacy of Ghengis Khan by cultivating the culture of the conquered lands. He sought not to simply rule, but to enhance the lands he controlled and turn them into economic and cultural centers of the world. Kublai Khan preserved and encouraged the growth of the sciences and arts. He invited scholars, poets, engineers, architects and painters from all over the world to his court. He finished construction on the Imperial Canal which along with several other waterways connected the Lower Yang-tsze with the Yellow River. This canal helped transport goods to Peking. He greatly encouraged and supported literature and during his reign books on mathematics, geography, history, and language as well as books on various facets of agriculture were written. He ordered the construction of an observatory and made revisions to the calendar. Through all of these ventures he combined much of Mongolian and Chinese culture forming an entirely new culture (Prawdin 326-327).
During Kublai's rule trade reached unprecedented levels with China as its center. The Mongol Empire stretched over a very vast expanse and China lay in the center. Many sea routes were developed and for overland trade many roads and bridges were built. Peace throughout the empire allowed for this great growth in commerce. In the past constant warfare and lack of trade routes made trade treacherous and difficult. With this unity and the well established trade routes and many yams the Mongolian empire encouraged commerce. More goods moved through China than ever before and Kublai reaped the benefits. Overall there were over 10,000 posts throughout the empire equipped with over 300,000 fresh horses allowing trade to be done very quickly and efficiently. The original trade routes set up by Ghengis Khan had been greatly enhanced. Messages could also be transported as messengers could cover 250-300 miles per day. This speed would have been considered ridiculous and impossible before rise of Mongolian power but by going from horse to horse it became a reality. With the advanced and extensive travel systems Kublai Khan developed his empire became the most wealthy and economically successful empire that had ever existed (Prawdin 329-330). Cultural diffusion occurred in epic proportions because of the constant trade and travel throughout the realm. The Mongolian empire had become like one great body. China was like the heart and trade routes the veins pumping the life blood of commerce through it in an intricate and perfected course keeping the entire empire supplied with wealth and culture.
Conclusion:
Mongolia in 1165 was nothing more than a cluster of several nomadic tribes. Unity did not exist between them and they stood relatively unremarkable in the world. Temujin, later known as Ghengis Khan was born in that year and events were set into motion that would lead to the creation of the greatest empire in human history. An army was fielded with combat skill unmatched by any other army on the earth and it spread out from Mongolia in all directions conquering over half the world. A government was established that created a unity stronger than any other before its time. Many nations were all brought together under one powerful rule and trade prospered. Culture flourished as it never had before and the empire saw riches that made European kings look poor.
Mongolia is a country nestled between Russia and China that exists relatively unnoticed by the rest of the world. It is hard to imagine that 800 years ago this seemingly insignificant nation forged one of the largest empires mankind has ever seen. Common misconception indicates that the Mongols were nothing more than a hoard of fierce savages. History reveals, however, that this is not so. There must have been something more to the Mongols than a thirst for war if they were actually able to construct and maintain an empire for over 150 years. As with many great empires, the creation of the Mongolian Empire was initiated by one man. His name is Ghengis Khan. Jack Weatherford said in his recent best seller Ghengis Khan and the Making of the Modern World says this of Ghengis Khan.
"He was the greatest conqueror in the history of the world, and the greatest lawgiver. He was a visionary who recognized the value of communication, and that, to rule, you had to have the allegiance of the people, not just control the land" (Weatherford 79).
He set into motion events that would unite almost half of the world under one rule. Even after his death his grandson Kublai Khan continued its expansion. The Mongols employed one of the most well trained and effective armies to ever march the earth. Their unequalled military helped gain them territory and then their superior diplomatic skills helped them rule and maintain it. Many aspects of Mongol society were ahead of their time and set precedents that would shape history long after its downfall. The Mongols who conquered much of Eurasia in the 13th century did so with a well trained army, a well governed society and attention to economics leaving behind a legacy that would profoundly impact world history.
Well Trained Army:
A well trained army is an essential building block of any empire. It can maintain peace within a realm, it can be used to defend from attack by other nations and it can be employed to conquer other lands and assimilate them into the empire for which they fight. Conquest was the reason the Mongol army was assembled and it served its purpose effectively. In his book, The Devil's Horsemen, James Chambers says,
"In the thirteenth century the Mongol Army was the best army in the world.
Its organization and training, its tactical principles and its structure of
command would not have been unfamiliar to a soldier of the twentieth century." (Chambers 51)
The key element to any army is manpower. If one has no loyal soldiers one has no army. Therefore, if Ghengis Khan had the best army in the world he must have had very loyal warriors.
Poverty and lack of necessities is the reason throughout history that people have rallied behind a leader. This can be seen throughout history, such as in Germany before World War II. The people of Germany were poor and their economy had declined. They had lost all their former glory and were left with nothing so they rallied behind a powerful leader who promised change, Adolf Hitler. Ghengis Khan was no different. He united the tribes of Mongolia and began to suppress customs that pressured poverty and discord. Once they were no longer fighting amongst themselves they could fight together (Chambers 53). Ghengis Khan had to be a leader that men would respect and fight and he fulfilled this requirement exceptionally well. His army was convinced that he was appointed by God to the task of leadership and followed him so.
A charismatic leader who wards off depravation is an important step, but without organization no army would be viable and successful. Ghengis Khan was a genius of military organization. "His strange genius lay in his immense strength of will," according to historian Harold Lamb (Lamb, March 39). He organized his army thoughtfully and with purpose. He used cohesion and persistence as well as inspiration. The greatest horsemen in history filled the ranks of his hoards. They had trained to the point where any target could be struck moving at full speed. Their skill on horseback was the equivalent of a master archer on solid ground. This lethal combination of speed and accuracy shattered enemy ranks and send them fleeing into the surrounding countryside. Ghengis Khan used a decimal system to organize his troops in groups of ten, one hundred, one thousand and ten thousand. He communicated to them through hand signals during battle. With this strict organization the troops could be moved very quickly even in the chaos battle brings. Because his entire army was on horse back it was very versatile and could cover great distances at unprecedented speeds. If his superior battle tactics and unearthly agility were not enough to scare the enemy Ghengis was sure to make an example of all those who resisted. Any city or town who did not surrender to his army would have its populace be systematically slaughtered. His methods of war spread throughout the world very quickly and anchored feelings of intense fear in all those against him. This reputation of immense strength and unimaginable terror allowed the Mongols to conquer many areas without raising a weapon (Hooker 1996).
A further testament to his genius, Ghengis was able to inspire his men in a way that no great military leader had before him. In order to distinguish between ranks, all of his officers were given a "paitze" which is a small tablet made of silver or gold. This was very important because of the psychological implications. When an officer received a paitze he was given a feeling of power. These objects were sought after by all the soldiers of the Mongolian military not because of their actual physical value but because of the status they represented. Soldiers remained loyal and worked exceptionally hard because they wanted to achieve the honor that came with a rank. Once an officer received a paitze he would want to receive one of a better status, such as a gold tablet over a silver tablet so he would still remain loyal to Ghengis and strive to do his best. The same is true for the uniforms issued to all his soldiers. They ascended in rank creating the same psychological effect as the paitzes (Chambers 55).
Ghengis Khan made it top priority to have his men well equipped. He mandated inspections by the officers of the men and their equipment to be sure it was at par. All soldiers were issued proper clothing, protective equipment and uniforms ascending in rank. His men were also equipped with an impressive arsenal of weapons. Each soldier would be provided with a minimum of sixty arrows and a bow for ranged weapons. For melee weapons his soldiers were provided with swords, javelins, scimitars, battle axes and a lance. His men lived on the saddle so their horses were also well equipped. Along with weapons and armor Ghengis Khan insisted that his soldiers had all their personal needs packed in saddle bags (Chambers 54-56). Napoleon Bonaparte once stated "An army travels on its stomach (Bartlett)." Ghengis Khan understood this concept even though he came long before Napoleon's time. He took care of all his soldiers' needs and in return he received fierce loyalty. This was another testament to his genius. Instead of cutting corners to preserve resources like many other generals had done Ghengis took the additional effort to fully equip his armies because he had foresight to see that it would pay off later. His army did not depend on supply lines ergo they were free of the problems and restrictions that frequently arise when dealing with supply lines over vast expanses of terrain. He understood that a group of ill equipped starving men was much more likely to be defeated on the battle field and also more likely to desert and not follow orders. With his armies well equipped and motivated to move forward in the ranks he had his men ready to serve and willing to work and fight their hardest.
A well organized army is only as good as the strategies used when it is employed. Fortunately for the Mongols Ghengis Khan was not only a master of organization but a brilliant tactician. "The Chinese said that he led his armies like a god (Lamb, Ghengis Khan 211)." For a proud enemy to be humbled enough to admit that their adversary is godlike in any respects is evidence enough to show that it is an undeniable fact. The Chinese fought and were crushed by Ghengis Khan and became witness to his unequalled stratagems. He developed many combat maneuvers that helped his men see victory on countless fields of battle. One of his most important and frequently used maneuvers was the "Tucughma" AKA the standard sweep. This battle maneuver involves turning the enemy around so they may be attacked from the flank and turned in on themselves. This led to enough chaos among the ranks of the opposing army that his superior horse archers could sweep through and crush the enemy forces. He tailored his forces for mobility and speed so that these strategies could be more efficiently executed. It wasn't sheer combat prowess alone that made Ghengis's strategy so remarkable, he also employed careful planning before mounting an attack. Reconnaissance and military intelligence were used to gain sensitive information about the enemy (Lamb, Ghengis Khan 60). Ghengis Khan understood the importance of knowing what you are up against. His war tactics allowed the Mongol armies to sweep across Asia like a tidal wave of perfectly orchestrated destruction and terror.
A Cohesive Society:
Defeating an opposing army is only one facet of gaining a new territory. Conquest requires a well trained well equipped army with effective battle strategies. Control of the conquered land and people requires more. One benefit of the reputation Ghengis Khan had gained was that his strengths created confidence in his followers. One may ask themselves how could someone who today is remembered as the personification of ruthless cruelty have formed a cohesive society. The answer lies partly in the fact that Ghengis Khan never saw himself as an aggressor; with only one exception the Mongol army always marched in answer to at least some form of provocation. It further lies in the fact that he governed with the same organized control that he used to lead his army (Chambers 44).
Ghengis Khan codified laws with which he governed over 50 nations. His laws were according to Michael Prawdin "far less cruel than the laws of Islam (230)." But that is exactly what was needed. When at age 40 Temuchin was divinely appointed to rule all nations and bear the name Ghengis Khan. He was a Khan of Khans Ruler of Rulers and this was something new among these nomadic people. He was wise enough to understand that loyalty was imperative. There could be only one ruler and that ruler had to be obeyed. Ghengis asked assembled people,
"If you wish me to be your ruler, are you without exception ready and resolved to fulfill all my behests; to come when I summon you, to go withersoever I may send you; and to put to death whomsoever I may indicate (Prawdin 85)?"
He had shown the benefit of his authority and the gathered "rulers" loudly proclaimed their willingness to obey his every command. "He was the "Ssutu-Bogdo the god sent, -- who raised, not his own tribe alone, but all the 400,000 Mongols above every other people (Prawdin 86)." Marco Polo said Ghengis Khan was " one of approved integrity, great wisdom, commanding eloquence, and eminent for his valour" (Polo 118). Polo goes on to show why a cohesive society formed as the result of the actions of Ghengis Khan. Polo states, "He began his reign with so much justice and moderation that he was beloved and revered as their deity rather than their sovereign" (Polo 118). The Mongols were happy to be ruled by such a man. Nine provinces were combined to form an Empire. It simply follows that a ruler rules with integrity and organizes a chain of command governing as he did with the army. Two years after the death of Ghengis Khan conditions which had prevailed before his rise to power in Mongolia threatened to return; the vast country seemed likely to split up into a number of independent tribes. The only difference would be instead of spreading over Mongolia they would spread over half of Asia (Prawdin).
Even after his death night up to the time of his grandson Kublai Khan, the cohesive society Ghengis Khan had developed remained intact largely because of respect for him. The loyalty he had gained from his people was so strong that not even his death eliminated it. China became a center of trade during Kublai Khan's reign. The unity of the Mongolian realm had remained consistent and had been preserved.
"Kublai Khan's fame spread over the continent. Vassaf, a Persian writer: 'Although the distance of our country from the centre of the Mongolian realm, the focus of the universe, the life-giving residence of our ever fortunate Emperor and transcendently just Khan, is more than a year's journey, the glory of his deeds has reached our ears. His legislation, his justice, the profundity and fineness of his spirit, the wisdom of his decisions, his amazingly good government are according to learned travelers so enormously superior to anything that has hitherto been known in the World " (Prawdin 330-331).
The conquered lands became an empire of note to the world.
Economics:
Strong leadership and an effective government are vital to a society's survival but alone cannot maintain it. Economy is the other vital piece of the puzzle. In order to establish a strong Mongolian empire the economy had to be strengthened and organized much like the government had been. The geography and people had existed for thousands of years but Ghengis Khan unified the Mongols with a sense of purpose. He brought them together in unity and in doing so their resources were combined. They became a unified force whose economic strengths grew along with their territory. To maintain communication between his armies Ghengis Khan pieced together caravan routes. These roads later evolved into trade routes.
"In the Mongol world even before Ghengis Khan there was a communication system not unlike the pony express in the US. It was called the yam. Throughout the empire a network of yam stations were established to provide food, shelter, and fresh horses to imperial messengers" (Chambers 61). The yam, developed by Ghengis Khan "was telegraph, railroad, and parcel post all in one" (Lamb Ghengis Khan 164).
The yam allowed tradesmen from all regions to seek the Mongols in the Gobi. Jews, Armenians, and Mongol soldiers all traveled these roads and used the yam. The Mongols were masters of these roads (Lamb Ghengis Khan 167). Mongols prized their commercial and trade relationships with neighboring economies. Ghengis Khan knew the importance of trade and economy and they continued these trade relationships during their expansion through conquest. "All merchants and ambassadors, having proper documentation and authorization, traveling through the realms were protected. This gave enormous surge to overland trade" (Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia). Almost all overland trade passed through Mongol controlled territories.
Ghengis Khan gave the Mongols amalgamation, lands and riches. The economy continued to flourish under Kublai Khan. Christopher Columbus was sailing to Cathay the land of Ghengis Khan when he ended up in the area named San Salvador. Marco Polo was young and gallant when he became rich in the land of Kublai Khan. John Mansfield says in his introduction to Marco Polo's Travels "When Marco Polo went to the East, the whole of Central Asia, so full of splendor and magnificence, so noisy with nations and kings, was like a dream in men's minds" (xi). Marco Polo draws a picture of the wealth of the economy enjoyed by the Mongols during the reign of Kublai Khan. As he describes the Khan's birthday,
" the grand khan appears in a superb dress of cloth of gold, and on the same occasion full twenty nobles and military officers clad by him in dresses similar from this parade an idea may be formed of the magnificence of the grand khan, which is unequalled by that of any monarch in the world." (Polo 186-187)
Ghengis Khan laid the groundwork for an empire so rich it could put all others to shame. Having this much wealth to flaunt is an indication of an empire with a flourishing economy.
Kublai Khan was the great heir and successor of Ghengis Khan; he was ruler of a substantial part of the world. He also was the supreme authority of the wealthiest empire in the world. He continued the legacy of Ghengis Khan by cultivating the culture of the conquered lands. He sought not to simply rule, but to enhance the lands he controlled and turn them into economic and cultural centers of the world. Kublai Khan preserved and encouraged the growth of the sciences and arts. He invited scholars, poets, engineers, architects and painters from all over the world to his court. He finished construction on the Imperial Canal which along with several other waterways connected the Lower Yang-tsze with the Yellow River. This canal helped transport goods to Peking. He greatly encouraged and supported literature and during his reign books on mathematics, geography, history, and language as well as books on various facets of agriculture were written. He ordered the construction of an observatory and made revisions to the calendar. Through all of these ventures he combined much of Mongolian and Chinese culture forming an entirely new culture (Prawdin 326-327).
During Kublai's rule trade reached unprecedented levels with China as its center. The Mongol Empire stretched over a very vast expanse and China lay in the center. Many sea routes were developed and for overland trade many roads and bridges were built. Peace throughout the empire allowed for this great growth in commerce. In the past constant warfare and lack of trade routes made trade treacherous and difficult. With this unity and the well established trade routes and many yams the Mongolian empire encouraged commerce. More goods moved through China than ever before and Kublai reaped the benefits. Overall there were over 10,000 posts throughout the empire equipped with over 300,000 fresh horses allowing trade to be done very quickly and efficiently. The original trade routes set up by Ghengis Khan had been greatly enhanced. Messages could also be transported as messengers could cover 250-300 miles per day. This speed would have been considered ridiculous and impossible before rise of Mongolian power but by going from horse to horse it became a reality. With the advanced and extensive travel systems Kublai Khan developed his empire became the most wealthy and economically successful empire that had ever existed (Prawdin 329-330). Cultural diffusion occurred in epic proportions because of the constant trade and travel throughout the realm. The Mongolian empire had become like one great body. China was like the heart and trade routes the veins pumping the life blood of commerce through it in an intricate and perfected course keeping the entire empire supplied with wealth and culture.
Conclusion:
Mongolia in 1165 was nothing more than a cluster of several nomadic tribes. Unity did not exist between them and they stood relatively unremarkable in the world. Temujin, later known as Ghengis Khan was born in that year and events were set into motion that would lead to the creation of the greatest empire in human history. An army was fielded with combat skill unmatched by any other army on the earth and it spread out from Mongolia in all directions conquering over half the world. A government was established that created a unity stronger than any other before its time. Many nations were all brought together under one powerful rule and trade prospered. Culture flourished as it never had before and the empire saw riches that made European kings look poor.