3. Nomadic Empires
The chapter explores the rise of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan, highlighting their unique nomadic culture and its adaptations in governance and warfare. It discusses the interactions between nomadic and sedentary societies and how the Mongol Empire created a vast transcontinental dominion that significantly influenced Eurasian history. The chapter also examines the complexity of historical narratives surrounding the Mongols, shaped often by sedentary perspectives.
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What we have learnt
- The Mongol Empire, led by Genghis Khan, established an unprecedented transcontinental dominion in the 13th century.
- Despite their nomadic origins, the Mongols innovated governance and military strategies that allowed them to control diverse territories.
- The historical representation of nomadic societies often reflects biases from sedentary literati, complicating our understanding of their true nature.
Key Concepts
- -- Nomadic Empires
- Empires established primarily by nomadic groups, characterized by their transient lifestyle and unique social-political structures.
- -- Pax Mongolica
- A period of peace and stability across the Mongol Empire that facilitated trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road.
- -- Yasa
- The legal code attributed to Genghis Khan that structured Mongol society and governance.
- -- Genghis Khan
- The founder of the Mongol Empire who united the Mongol tribes and initiated a series of conquests that expanded the empire across Asia and into Europe.
Additional Learning Materials
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