Nomadic Empire: Social & Political Background| Class 11 History Notes

The nomadic empire is important in the history of Eurasia. The Mongol Empire (1206-1368) was founded by Genghis Khan. He was the first ‘universal ruler’ of the Mongols. He and his army started to conquer the lands aggressively. At last, they set up an empire from the Mongolian plateau to the Adriatic Sea, covering around one-third of Asia. Genghis was a strong and determined person with a complex personality. He ruled the Mongol empire for 21 years, from 1206 to 1227.

In this article, we will discuss the Nomadic Empire with their Social & Political Background in detail.

Nomadic Empire: Social & Political Background| Class 11 History Notes

Social and Political Background

The Nomadic Empire or the Mongols were a varied group. Some raised animals, while others hunted and gathered. Those who raised animals looked after horses, sheep, and sometimes cows and camels. They lived in the grasslands of Central Asia, which is now Mongolia. The hunters and gatherers lived north of them, in Siberian forests. Mongols lived in portable homes called “gers” and moved with their animals as seasons changed, going from winter to summer grazing lands.

• Mongols were a large group of nomads, either raising animals or hunting for a living.
• Animal-raising tribes cared for horses, sheep, cattle, goats, and camels.
• Hunter nomads lived in northern forests, trading furs with China.
• They lived in tents and gers, moving between winter and summer pastures.
• Nomadic groups united by shared ethnicity and language.
• Families with more resources had larger followings.
• Scarce resources in harsh winters led to conflicts over food and land.
• Wealthier families held more livestock and had greater influence.
• Various nomadic tribes like Hsiung-nu (200 CE) and Juan-Juan (400 CE) influenced Central Asia.
• The Borjigid tribe, led by Genghis Khan, formed a stable confederation.
• This confederation faced challenges from Europe, China, and Iran.

Genghis Khan – The Leader of the Nomadic Empire or Mongols

Temujin, also known as Chinggis Khan or Genghis Khan, had a special way of leading. Instead of only picking family members, he chose skilled friends for important roles in his army and government. He brought leaders from conquered tribes into his group to create unity. Temujin stressed the importance of discipline among his followers, telling them not to take anything from enemies until they had won. He organized his fighters into ten groups to make things run smoothly.

Although he believed in many gods, Temujin’s followers followed different religions like Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. By 1205, he had defeated all his rivals, including his former friend Jamuka. The next year, Temujin became a leader, bringing together meetings and forming a nation as big as Mongolia today. He was given the name Chinggis Khan, meaning “Universal Ruler,” which later became known in the West as Genghis Khan.

Here is the detailed overview of Genghis Khan as mentioned below:

Name	Genghis Khan
Birth Name	Temüjin
Born	c. 1162
Title	Founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire
Treasure	120 Trillion USD (Inflation Adjusted)
Achievements	Unification of Mongol tribes and conversion into a powerful empire.
Military Tactics	Expert in cavalry warfare.
Conquests	Conquered a vast territory from China to Eastern Europe.
Personal Traits	Skilled diplomat, military commander, and strategist.
Spouse	Börte, Isukhan Khatun, Gurbasu Khatun, Gunju Khatun, Abika Khatun.
Successors	Kublai Khan and Hulagu Khan.
Legacy	Established the Pax Mongolica.
	Created the Mongol Empire which became the largest contiguous land empire in world history.
	Effective use of horse archers and mobility.
	Siege warfare strategies.
	Promoted trade and cultural exchange. The Silk Road played a major role.
	Influenced later military leaders and empires.
Died	August 18th, 1227
Cause Of Death	Circumstances Unclear (Later Discussion)
Burial	Location Remains a Mystery (Later Discussion)

Nomadic Empire Under Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan was born in 1162 in northern Mongolia. Legend says he was born holding a blood clot, seen as a sign he would be a great leader. His noble background helped him bring together different Mongol tribes easily. He believed in the idea that “working together makes us stronger.” With this belief, he gradually built the Mongol Empire, spreading his influence far and wide. The Mongol Empire led by Genghis Khan was a time of big changes in history. It had a lasting effect on the Mongol Empire and influenced what happened in Asia and Europe during that time.

Mongol Administration

• Genghis Khan established a powerful government to govern the vast Mongol Empire.
• Leaders were selected for their abilities and faithfulness, promoting a fair system known as meritocracy.
• Genghis Khan implemented a set of guidelines called the Yassa to maintain order and ensure adherence to rules.
• The empire was divided into regions, each overseen by its own leader, to facilitate management.

Mongol Military

• The Mongol army was powerful because they had skilled soldiers who rode horses, especially those who could shoot arrows while riding.
• They were good at using speed and moving quickly during battles, which helped them surprise their enemies.
• They figured out smart ways to attack and take over cities that were protected by walls and defenses.
• The soldiers followed strict rules and had a clear organization in the army under Genghis Khan’s leadership.

Mongol Culture

• The Mongols lived as nomads, dwelling in portable tents called yurts and moving their animals across the wide steppes.
• Genghis Khan supported religious acceptance, letting people practice their faith freely.
• Their typical homes were yurts or gers, which were easy to move around and perfect for their nomadic way of life.
• Mongols were skilled in arts, crafts, and storytelling, keeping their cultural traditions alive.

Mongol Trade

• The Mongol Empire’s peace under Genghis Khan and later rulers resulted in the Pax Mongolica, encouraging trade and sharing of cultures.
• Dominance over important sections of the Silk Road made trade between East and West easier.
• Mongol traders exchanged various items like silk, spices, valuable metals, and cultural items.
• The empire became a mix of different cultures, with ideas, technologies, and goods moving between regions.

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FAQs – Nomadic Empire: Social & Political Background

What is a short summary of nomadic empire?

Nomadic empires, sometimes also called steppe empires, Central or Inner Asian empires, were the empires erected by the bow-wielding, horse-riding, nomadic people in the Eurasian Steppe, from classical antiquity (Scythia) to the early modern era (Dzungars).

What was the social political and military organization of the Mongols Class 11?

The Mongols were nomadic people with a clan-based social structure. Their political system involved a Great Khan at the top, overseeing decentralized rule in various khanates.

What was the social life of the Mongols Class 11?

The Mongols lived in tents called gers and travelled with their herds from their winter pasture lands to their summer pasture lands. Despite their common ethnic origins, the Mongols’ society was divided into patrilineal lineages due to resource scarcity.

What empire was nomadic?

The Mongol Empire emerged from the unification of several nomadic tribes in the Mongol heartland under the leadership of Temüjin, known by the more famous title of Genghis Khan ( c. 1162 – 1227), whom a council proclaimed as the ruler of all Mongols in 1206.

What is the concept of nomadic?

A nomad is someone who lives by traveling from place to place. Nomadic thus means anything that involves moving around a lot. Nomadic hunter-gatherer tribes follow the animals they hunt, carrying tents with them.