Professional Documents
Culture Documents
the Mongols
12/12/2009
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION—THE MONGOL EMPIRE
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ndividualistic views about Mongols would be ruthless barbarians, savages, murderers,
and rapists who managed to conquer and form the largest empire of terrestrial property
known. Chinggis Khan named the Universal Ruler was the earliest leader of the Mongol tribes
was born around 1162 CE by Mongol tradition. His greatest accomplishment, the unionization
of the Mongol tribe—not an easy task—converted them into one alliance. Upon Chinggis
Khan’s death in 1227, his greatest legacies were tolerance, written language, trade and crafts, and
legal code. His son Ögödei ruled for a short period (1229-1241) expanding the empire into
Central Asia and Russia. Khubilai Khan, Chinggis Khan’s grandson and successor to the
government, trade and crafts. Failed navel attempts in 1274 then 1282 against Japan and in
violence and heritage, eventually ending the basic Chinese Civil Service Examination until 1315
and was never the same. Life in China after the Mongol Empire left one question “Why?”
Shortly after Chinggis Khan’s death, family members began collecting information about his
heritage resulting in a sensible fictional yet truthful document called The Secret History of The
Mongols. Beside fear, this document helps historians create theories about how “Khan”
ideologies helped created innovative tactics to conquer vast lands. Outnumbered by many
enemies, more like victims—the Mongols were able to diversify using conquered troops and still
make allies.
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SECRET HISTORY—CHINGGIS KHAN’S ANCESTRY
Chinggis Khan’s ancestry beginning with the birth of Batačiqan. A little while later
the family’s recorded lineage centers on twin brothers named Duua Soqor (the one eyed) and
Dobun Mergen, the younger of the two. Duua met a group of wandering people, of which he
requested a wife for Dobun. He married Alan ro'a who gave birth to two sons named Bügünütei
and Belgünütei. When Duua passed away his four children took the clan name Dörben in
despise of their uncle. Hunting was a typical activity for the Dobun clan, not giving charity to
those who could not survive. After Dobun died, Alan ro'a gave birth two three more sons named
Buyu Qadagi, Buyatu Salji, and Bodončar Mungqay. On her deathbed Alan ro'a gave words of
"Ye, my five sons, were born of an only belly. If, like the five arrow shafts of a
little while ago, ye be each alone, like those single arrow shafts, [ye] will each
[of you] easily be broken by anyone. If together lye] be of one purpose like
those arrow shafts bound in a bundle, how will ye easily be [broken] by
anyone?" (Cleaves, p. 5—22)
After Alan ro’a died four of the five brothers divided up the property leaving Bodončar
with nothing.
H
aving nothing Bodončar ventured out on his own eventually having children
contributing to the bloodlines that lead to the birth of Chinggis Khan, one of four
brothers and one sister. At birth, Chinggis was said to be holding “a clot of blood in his right
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hand the size of a knucklebone; bestowing him the name Tamüjin” (Cleaves, p. 14—59) the
name of a defeated Tater leader.” His father Yesligei claimed, “We Unggirad people from days
of old, having [for us] the comeliness of the daughters of [our] daughters…” (Cleaves, p. 15—
64). This is a great contribution of wisdom for future heir’s sons and daughters alike.
SECRET HISTORY—HUNTING
H
unting was a very important part of any nomadic tribe, a customary representation in
the first chapter of The Secret History of the Mongols. Charity came with a price even
for a blind man who gave his son to Dobun for a piece of venison; chances are the disabled
individual did not live long after that. The Mongols took pride in hunting “…it was originally
Chinggis Khan was an active hunter and overweight as well, Marco Polo said, “…a horse could
not sustain his weight,” (Columbia University, 2009) requiring elephants to carry the hunters.
Khubilai enjoyed the wild game prepared by cooks for him and his wives during these
expeditions. His obesity indicates stress levels were likely high at this time, leading to poor
military decisions.
SECRET HISTORY—REFLECTION
T
he Mongols invented ideologies for territorial expansion from nomadic daily life that
was more complicated than one would believe. They would key on survival of the
younger individuals versus those who could not keep up, like the blind man. A Clan or family
had children to take care of and many would adopt some along the way believing that strength is
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in numbers (e.g. one arrow shaft is easier to break than five are). Hunting was a priority to the
clan, they would develop stalk, drive, and wait tactics that were used in warfare. The Mongols
convincingly feared and insistent when integrating with other civilizations bringing destruction
to those not liked. By nature, they were very quick learners, able to handle complicated
commercial activities over a vast area. The Muslims—who were active mariner traders—served
the Mongols as tax collectors and administrators for expansion of the empire. Khubilai Khan
discovered the finer side of life, enjoying numerous wives, well guided hunting expeditions, fine
arts, and of course fine food. Losing sight of an ancestral lifestyle resulted from developments in
western cultures, lead to poor judgment from a lax lifestyle. The fall of the Mongol Empire
followed two Typhoons that thrashed planned invasions of Japan, had they succeeded very few
inhabitants would have survived. Today many people do not realize they have Mongol ancestors
who are not nomadic by any means. Queen Elizabeth II the longest reigning monarch of Britain
and “descendant of Chinggis Khan” (Ancient Ancestors, 2009) must believe daughters will
charm.
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WORKS CITED
Ancient Ancestors. (2009, December 9). Queen Elizabeth II: her putative descent from Jenkiz
Khan. Retrieved December 8, 2009, from Elizabeth:
http://members.pcug.org.au/~ronwells/Elizabeth.htm
Cleaves, F. W. (1982). The Secret History of the Mongols. Cambridge, London: Harvard
University Press.
Columbia University. (2009, December 9). The Mongols in World History. Retrieved December
7, 2009, from Asian Topics in World History | Columbia University:
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/main/transcript.pdf
Columbia University. (2009, December 8). The Mongols Past and Present. Retrieved December
8, 2009, from World History Online: Columbia University:
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/pop/khubilai/images_kk.htm
Columbia University. (2009, December 8). World History Online: Columbia University.
Retrieved December 8, 2009, from Mongols, Past and Present:
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/mongols/pop/khubilai/images_kk.htm
Schue, P. (2009, December). World History to 1500. Notes from Class Room Lectures.
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