Mongol Nomadism, Mongol Identity, and the Fall of the Mongol Empire
Jun 25, 2023
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Nicholas Morton, an Associate Professor of History at Nottingham Trent University, discusses his research on Mongol nomadism and identity. He explores how nomadic life shaped the cultural traits of the Mongols and contributed to the empire's decline. Morton delves into the unification of diverse tribes under Genghis Khan, the strategic shifts in diplomacy during conquests, and the gradual conversion to various religions. He also examines the complex factors behind the Mongol Empire’s collapse, highlighting the interplay of local identities and governance challenges.
Mongol nomadism enabled them to execute effective military strategies due to the mobility of their entire civilization during campaigns.
The Mongol Empire's expansion fostered a multicultural society, integrating various conquered peoples and adapting elements from different civilizations.
Deep dives
The Nature of Mongol Nomadism
The Mongol conquerors practiced a distinct form of nomadism characterized by the establishment of expansive wagon cities, which were mobile cities constructed from thousands of interconnected wagons. In the formative years of Genghis Khan, the chaotic environment of displaced tribes and warfare influenced his mentality, leading to the unification of diverse tribes under a shared Mongol identity. This identity was central to Mongol culture, embodying a mission for global conquest and a sense of divine right bestowed by Tengri, the eternal sky. The deep-rooted similarities and differences among the Mongol tribes reflected their unique societal structure while also allowing them to harness shared cultural elements, such as spiritual beliefs and traditional practices, during their campaigns.
Mobility and Military Strategy
The Mongol’s nomadic lifestyle enabled highly effective military strategies that relied on the mobility of their entire civilization during campaigns. Unlike traditional agricultural societies that depended on long supply lines, Mongols traveled with their herds and communities, ensuring their troops had food and resources readily available. This model made them less vulnerable to attacks aimed at supply chains, granting them operational flexibility during warfare. As a result, they could rapidly deploy forces and adapt to changing circumstances, enabling swift conquests and the establishment of their extensive empire.
Incorporation and Transformation of Outsiders
The Mongol Empire was marked by the systematic incorporation of conquered peoples into their military and social structure, often through forced assimilation. Individuals from conquered cultures were integrated into the Mongol army using a decimal system that eroded their previous identities, thereby fostering a new, collective Mongol identity. Conversion to Mongol customs included adherence to specific social values and practices, regardless of prior ethnic backgrounds, while also allowing for the potential rise in status based on loyalty and contribution to the empire. This approach created a hierarchical society that blurred previous ethnic distinctions in favor of a cohesive Mongol identity.
Cultural Exchange and Transformation
As the Mongol Empire expanded, it became a melting pot of cultures, adopting elements from the various civilizations it conquered. Driven by their newfound wealth and resources, the Mongols displayed a desire for luxury and cultural sophistication, acquiring expensive textiles and goods from traders along the Silk Road. Economic interactions not only transformed Mongol material culture but also led to significant cultural exchanges, including the introduction of different religions and technologies. Ultimately, this blending of cultures resulted in the Mongols evolving into a multicultural empire, shaping their practices while also influencing the societies they encountered.
In part two of our conversation about his book The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East(Basic Books, 2022), Nicholas Morton, Associate Professor of History at Nottingham Trent University, joins me to share more about his research into Mongol imperial expansion and the Mongol conquests of the Near East. In this episode, we talk about practices of Mongol nomadism and mobility; how Mongol identity can be defined and understood; and where and when the Mongol empire finally collapsed.
Maggie Freeman is a PhD student in the School of Architecture at MIT. She researches uses of architecture by nomadic peoples and historical interactions of nomads and empires, with a focus on the modern Middle East.
