The Mongols lived on the plains of Central Asia, from the Ural mountains to the Gobi desert. They were nomads, wandering with their herds and living in portable tents. Their leaders were called khans. In 1206, Temujin Khan brought all the tribes under his rule and was proclaimed Genghis Khan. It means "lord of all". In his lifetime, he seized an empire that extended from the Pacific Ocean to the river Danube incorporating Persian empire. The capital was Karakorum. Genghis Khan was ruthless in battle, but kept peace in his empire and ruled fairly. Trade flourished during his rule. The Mongols continued their attacks after death of Genghis Khan. Mongol army led by Batu Khan, one of the Genghis's sons, invaded Russia. In Europe, people panicked as word spread of the Mongol's speed and ferocity in battle.
Mongols preferred to fight on horseback. Warriors controlled their horses with their feet, leaving their hands free to shoot bows and hurl spears. Mongol cavalry charges usually overwhelmed the enemy. Mongol soldiers traveled with five horses each and were expert with bows and lances. In victory, they were merciless, slaughtering the people of a city and carting away treasures. Western Europe was saved only when the Mongols turned homeward on the death of their leader Ogadai Khan in 1241. Mongol armies sent a shockwave of fear around Asia and Europe, conquering a vast area of land that formed the largest empire in history.
The Mongols roamed in search of fresh grassland for their sheeps, goats and horses. They carried their felt houses with them on ox carts. They drank fresh mares' milk. They also fermented the milk in skin bangs hung from wooden frames to make a strong drink kumiss. At victory celebrations, kumiss was drunk and fiddles strung with horsehair were played.
Some timeline of Mongol Empire :
1206 : Temujin is chosen to be Khan of the Mongols. He takes the name of Genghis Khan.
1211 : The Mongol army attacks China.
1215 : Beijing, capital of China was taken by Mongols.
1217 : China and Korea are controlled by the Mongols.
1219 : The Mongols went to attack the empire of Khwarezm (Persia and Turkey).
1224 : Mongol armies invade Russia, then Poland and Hungary.
1227 : Genghis Khan dies. In 1229 his son Ogadai was chosen as new Khan.
1237 : Mongol generals Batu and Subotai invade northern Russia. Their army is known as the Golden Horde.
1241 : Ogadai dies. His armies pull back from Europe.
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| Genghis Khan |
Mongols preferred to fight on horseback. Warriors controlled their horses with their feet, leaving their hands free to shoot bows and hurl spears. Mongol cavalry charges usually overwhelmed the enemy. Mongol soldiers traveled with five horses each and were expert with bows and lances. In victory, they were merciless, slaughtering the people of a city and carting away treasures. Western Europe was saved only when the Mongols turned homeward on the death of their leader Ogadai Khan in 1241. Mongol armies sent a shockwave of fear around Asia and Europe, conquering a vast area of land that formed the largest empire in history.
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| Mongols |
The Mongols roamed in search of fresh grassland for their sheeps, goats and horses. They carried their felt houses with them on ox carts. They drank fresh mares' milk. They also fermented the milk in skin bangs hung from wooden frames to make a strong drink kumiss. At victory celebrations, kumiss was drunk and fiddles strung with horsehair were played.
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| Mongol Army |
Some timeline of Mongol Empire :
1206 : Temujin is chosen to be Khan of the Mongols. He takes the name of Genghis Khan.
1211 : The Mongol army attacks China.
1215 : Beijing, capital of China was taken by Mongols.
1217 : China and Korea are controlled by the Mongols.
1219 : The Mongols went to attack the empire of Khwarezm (Persia and Turkey).
1224 : Mongol armies invade Russia, then Poland and Hungary.
1227 : Genghis Khan dies. In 1229 his son Ogadai was chosen as new Khan.
1237 : Mongol generals Batu and Subotai invade northern Russia. Their army is known as the Golden Horde.
1241 : Ogadai dies. His armies pull back from Europe.
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