Kublai Khan

History is outlined by the legacies of several rigidly characterized groups. One such group is the Mongols, a nomadic tribe notorious for both their alleged depravity and despotic founder, Genghis Khan. However, much of this legacy was founded on myth, as opposed to true barbarism. By definition, in order to be civilized, a group must be intellectually, culturally, socially, and materially advanced in human society. To this end, through their military tactics, religious tolerance, encouragement…

What was life like for those who lingered on the Silk Road? The Silk Road elongated for miles going east and west through China. One might fathom about all the favorable effects of the Silk Road, but what about the opposing facts? Although the Silk Road led to cultural diffusion and other things, no one acknowledges the concepts of how dangerous it could have been for people traveling in caravans, camels, etc. through the Taklamakan desert. The Silk Road had a negative impact by people’s lives…

The 13th century conquests of the Mongols have never been matched. Under Genghis Khan’s leadership, the “horsemen of the steppe” conquered China and the Muslim parts of central Asia and pushed deep into Europe and the Middle East in just about 25 years. Although their attempts to take Japan and Southeast Asia failed, only once did they suffer a notably decisive defeat, a defeat which came at the hands of Mameluke general Baibars at Ain Jalut, Palestine around the year 1260. The Romans had an…

John Boyd Orr a famous doctor, biologist and politician explains, “In the last five or six thousand years, empires one after another have arisen, waxed powerful by wars of conquest, and fallen by internal revolution or attack from without”. This phrase links the common and reoccurring rise/ downfall of ancient cultures and civilisations. Worldwide, historians agree that the ancient Mongolians like many civilisations, revolutionised and contributed significantly to the contemporary world.…

Barbarism can be defined as “cruel and violent behavior”. (Merriam Webster) It is a term used to describe anything that is uncivilized. But what is considered as barbaric, and what is considered civilized? Who has the power to decide? The answer to these questions varies from person to person. Similarly, the idea that the Mongols (whose reign was from 1206 C.E. to 1368 C.E.) were simply destructive barbarians is also inconsistent. Not everyone believes this to be true—it is an on-going debate.…

From AD 1000 to AD 1600, China was united under the Song dynasty. The Song dynasty began in 960 and persisted until 1279. During this era, China became the first government in world history to nationally issue banknotes and was the first government in China to establish a permanent-standing navy. The Song dynasty is divided into two distinct periods, Northern and Southern. Following the Song dynasty was the Yuan dynasty, also known as the Great Yuan. This dynasty lasted from 1271 to 1368 and was…

After the Mongols ruthlessly killed the citizens of Balkh, they leveled all buildings and wiped out any trace of culture. They did this a second time when they revisited Balkh. CROSS EXAMINATIONS: (10+) ● Chinggis Khan ○ founded the Khan regime; came into power by uniting many of the nomadic tribes of northeast Asia ○ How many innocent people did you kill? ○ Idk lol ○ Well, there were 200000 in Baghdad... Thousand in Balkh So at least 200000... ● Mongol general…

written in yam - their language. There were various posts where messengers would receive a post and continue to pass it down the trail (Doc. 8) This is actually quite similar to the American pony express. Marco Polo worked as an ambassador for Kublai Khan, meaning that he would have a great understanding and first-hand access to many Mongolian topics. This would be a credible source regarding the information that is given. All of these aspects of the accomplishments of the Mongolian Empire would…

Normally, the Khan was determined through a method of election in which, prominent members of the Mongol Empire would gather together and then unanimously decide a leader (Morgan, 2007, page 36). However, in the case of Ariq Boke, two separate quriltai’s were held, one…

years, whereas some were brief in their control. The Yuan dynasty came to be in 1279 and lasted until 1368. The Yuan dynasty in China was brief however it was very impactful to the world we know today. The yuan dynasty officially began in 1279 when Kublai, a Mongol king, led the conquest of the Song in China. The Yuan dynasty was part of the Mongol empire that swept…