Organization of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan

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Contents

[edit] Politics

[edit] Pax Mongolica

Main article: Pax Mongolica

[edit] Loyalty

In the face of the ethnic, religious and tribal diversity of the civilians and soldiers of the Mongol Empire, which eventually included modern day Persians, Chinese and many Turkic peoples, Genghis Khan insisted on focusing all loyalty on himself as Great Khan and no others. Obedience was expected from everyone from the lowest to the highest classes. Any disobedience by a subordinate officer to any order from a superior officer was reason for death.

[edit] Yassa

Genghis Khan had a Mongol code of law called the Yassa written down, which was intended to be the legal code throughout his empire. It covered in detail many aspects of nomadic life and the concerns of nomadic people (stealing livestock was harshly punished, as was urinating or otherwise spoiling a source of fresh water.) Religious freedom was allowed, as long as one complied with the Yassa.

Genghis Khan created a wide-ranging postal system for the sending of government orders and reports. For many years he was believed to be illiterate due to the estimated recentness of the language, and his age at its implementation. Recently, however, it has been claimed by an Inner Mongolian academic that Genghis Khan was a highly literate man. A handwritten note has been claimed to be his, and the contents of the note indicated that the author was able to read Taoist sermons [1].

[edit] Meritocracy

Genghis Khan preferred to rule through existing hierarchies, but where he was resisted he destroyed the existing aristocracy, although among the Mongols he created a rough meritocracy during that time. Positions of honour were given on the basis of bravery in battle or outstanding loyalty, as opposed to the old system of inheritance through families. This was far ahead of any other system in Europe at the time.

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[edit] Freedom of Religion

Various languages spread, such as Turkish, replacing long-established Persian-speaking populations who were mostly wiped out. Many different kinds of religion existed under a limited degree of freedom of religion. However, in later life, Genghis began to research the various religions of the people he had suppressed. Theories differ as to why. The outcome was a general freedom of religion, and an exemption of taxes for priests.

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[edit] Economy

[edit] Trade

It is sometimes claimed that having conquered a vast land, Genghis Khan encouraged trade and exchange. Mongols valued goods that came from other lands and peoples. A unified Mongol Empire made travel across Asia far easier for Europeans than it had been under a fractured group of minor kings, facilitating greater exposure to the West and travel for Western traders such as Marco Polo. Because of the extent of his empire, Genghis Khan deeply affected the cultures of many Asian countries, most notably Russia.

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