Postclassical Nomadic Empires

1. Postclassical Nomadic Empires

2. Introduction to Chapter • Mongols originated in Central Asia & led expansion campaigns during the 1200s all the way to Eastern Europe • During these campaigns, they took skilled artisans as captives back to their capital, Karakorum • Karakorum had a diverse population • Many nomadic groups interacted with civilizations before the postclassical period • 11th-15th centuries – Turks → S & SW Asia • 13th & 14th centuries – Mongols → Korea to E. Europe • Impact of nomadic groups lasted long after they did • Expansion was devastating, but afterwards, trade flourished to new heights

3. Turks • Originated from the Central Asian steppe probably after Xiongnu fell apart; clan formation; linguistically similar; dominated societies in S & SW Asia • Pastoral peoples (steppe) – mostly sheep & horses, but also cattle, goats & camels • Lived in moveable tents called yurts off of animal meat & milk • Limited agriculture & crafts • Involved in trade – especially Silk Routes

5. Turks (cont.) • Social Classes – nobles & commoners • Nobles only intervened in clan affairs during wartime • Nobility could be lost and gained through leadership • Religion • Traditional belief in Shamans, but some conversion to Buddhism & Christianity • Most converted to Islam – originally as slave soldiers in the Abbasid, but then during the 10th century when the Saljuqs (Seljiks) Turkish group converted in hopes of an Abbasid alliance • Military – led by “Khans” • Cavalry skills w/ bow & arrow – extremely mobile & disciplined

6. Saljuq Turks & the Abbasid • 750-1000 lived on the Abbasid border & traded • By 1000, many served in Abbasid armies • By 1050, overshadowed Abbasid caliphs • 1055 Tughril Beg (Saljuq leader) called “sultan”

7. Saljuq Turks & the Byzantine • 1071 – Battle of Manzikert – Saljuk forces defeated the Byzantine army on Anatolia (whose peasants looked at the Turks as liberators more than conquerors) • Levied taxes on Byzantine church & sometimes took property • 1453 captured Constantinople

8. Ghaznavid Turks & the Delhi Sultanate • c. 1000 – Mahmud of Ghazni led Afghanistani raids on northern India • By 13th century, controlled all of northern India, but never able to expand empire due to constant threat • Repressed Buddhism & Hinduism – encouraged Islam

9. The Mongols1206 - 1258

10. Mongol Campaigns

12. Division after the death of Genghis Khan

14. Genghis Khan (1162-1227) • Named Temujin at birth • When Temujin was 13, his father (head of the tribe) died → he vowed revenge on the Tartars who killed him • Used the goal of defeating the Tartars to unite the Mongol tribes under him • Created the Yassa (code of conduct) “The greatest happiness is to vanquish your enemies, to chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth, to see those dear to them bathed in tears, to clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters" -GENGHIS KHAN

15. Chinggis Khan “universal ruler” by 1206 • Mongol Political Organization • Broke up the old tribal system & reorganized on loyalty & talent • Karakorum capital w/ luxurious palace • Mongol overlords supervised local admin. for tribute • Military & Conquest • Approx. 125,000 soldiers w/ superior equestrian skills • Used psychological warfare • By 1220, conquered Jurchen in northen China • Devastated Persian cities & irrigation system (qanat) after Saljuq successor, Khwarazm shah, murdered Mongol trade envoys - lasting impact on agriculture

16. Division after the death of Genghis Khan • Golden Horde (Russia) – Blue Horde (under Batu Khan) & White Horde (under Orda Khan) would soon be combined into the Golden Horde – Batu Khan • Did NOT occupy Russia, collected tribute • Mid 15th century, Muscovite Russia free from Mongol control • Il-Khanate (Persia) – Hulegu Khan • Mongols held highest gov’t positions, but let Persians serve at all lower levels (as long as tax receipts & order kept) • Religious toleration until 1295 – IlkhanGhazan converted to Islam – indicates absorption of Mongols into Persian society • Mongol homeland (Mongolia) – Tolui Khan • Chagadai Khanate (Central Asia) – Chagatai Khan • Empire of the Great Khan (China) – Kublai Khan

17. Kublai Khan (r. 1260-1294) Conquest • Invaded China, overthrew Song rulers and created the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) • Extended Mongol rule beyond China (Korea & a bit of SE Asia) • Failed to make large inroads in SE Asia (climate) and failed to invade Japan (typhoons during both attempts in 1274 & 1281)

18. Kublai Khan’s Changes • Travel improved due to safety → trade increased (windmills, gunpowder, porcelain & playing cards went west while crops & trees were carried east) • Mongols received highest gov’t posts • Built many palaces in Beijing • Improved agriculture & infrastructure (roads repaired & Grand Canal extended) • Royal mail system (horseback)

19. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Reform • Confucianism as doctrine • Chinese replaced Mongols in gov’t positions • New Law Codes (harsh) • Reorganized tax system • Civil service system restored w/ even harder exams • Gov’t offered free land in north to encourage people to move back there • Trade flourished • History & literature library compiled Emperor Zhu /Hong Wu