PPT: Nomadic Empires | History Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


Nomadic Empires
Page 2


Nomadic Empires
O v e r v i e w
The idea of 'nomadic empires' 
might seem odd. Nomads are 
known for wandering, simple social 
structures, and basic political 
systems. 'Empire' suggests a fixed 
place, complex social and economic 
organization, and a large territory 
managed by a detailed 
administration.
However, these contrasting ideas 
don't always hold true, especially 
when looking at empires created by 
nomadic groups. This section will 
explore the Mongol Empire of 
Central Asia, founded by Genghis 
Khan. This empire spanned both 
Europe and Asia in the 13th and 
14th centuries.
Page 3


Nomadic Empires
O v e r v i e w
The idea of 'nomadic empires' 
might seem odd. Nomads are 
known for wandering, simple social 
structures, and basic political 
systems. 'Empire' suggests a fixed 
place, complex social and economic 
organization, and a large territory 
managed by a detailed 
administration.
However, these contrasting ideas 
don't always hold true, especially 
when looking at empires created by 
nomadic groups. This section will 
explore the Mongol Empire of 
Central Asia, founded by Genghis 
Khan. This empire spanned both 
Europe and Asia in the 13th and 
14th centuries.
Sources on Mongol History
1
Diverse Perspectives
Most of what we know about 
nomadic societies comes from 
writings by city people. These 
accounts are often biased. 
However, the Mongol's success led 
to more positive accounts, 
challenging the negative views.
2
Russian Scholarship
Important research on the 
Mongols was done by Russian 
scholars in the 18th and 19th 
centuries as Russia gained control 
over Central Asia. This research 
includes notes from travelers, 
soldiers, merchants, and scholars.
3
Multilingual Sources
Because the Mongol empire 
stretched across continents, 
sources are in many languages. The 
most important are Chinese, 
Mongolian, Persian, and Arabic. 
But there are also valuable sources 
in Italian, Latin, French, and 
Russian.
Page 4


Nomadic Empires
O v e r v i e w
The idea of 'nomadic empires' 
might seem odd. Nomads are 
known for wandering, simple social 
structures, and basic political 
systems. 'Empire' suggests a fixed 
place, complex social and economic 
organization, and a large territory 
managed by a detailed 
administration.
However, these contrasting ideas 
don't always hold true, especially 
when looking at empires created by 
nomadic groups. This section will 
explore the Mongol Empire of 
Central Asia, founded by Genghis 
Khan. This empire spanned both 
Europe and Asia in the 13th and 
14th centuries.
Sources on Mongol History
1
Diverse Perspectives
Most of what we know about 
nomadic societies comes from 
writings by city people. These 
accounts are often biased. 
However, the Mongol's success led 
to more positive accounts, 
challenging the negative views.
2
Russian Scholarship
Important research on the 
Mongols was done by Russian 
scholars in the 18th and 19th 
centuries as Russia gained control 
over Central Asia. This research 
includes notes from travelers, 
soldiers, merchants, and scholars.
3
Multilingual Sources
Because the Mongol empire 
stretched across continents, 
sources are in many languages. The 
most important are Chinese, 
Mongolian, Persian, and Arabic. 
But there are also valuable sources 
in Italian, Latin, French, and 
Russian.
Introduction
1
Early Life
Genghis Khan was born around 1162 near the Onon 
river in the north of present-day Mongolia. Named 
T emujin, he was the son of Yesugei, the chieftain of 
the Kiyat, a group of families related to the Borjigid 
clan. His early life was marked by hardship and 
struggle.
2
Building Alliances
Through the 1180s and 1190s, T emujin formed 
important alliances, including with Ong Khan of the 
Kereyits. He used these alliances to defeat powerful 
adversaries and consolidate his power.
3
Unification of Mongols
By 1206, T emujin had become the dominant 
personality in the politics of the steppe lands. At an 
assembly of Mongol chieftains (quriltai), he was 
proclaimed the 'Great Khan of the Mongols' (Qa'an) 
with the title Genghis Khan, the 'Oceanic Khan' or 
'Universal Ruler' .
4
Military Campaigns
After unifying the Mongols, Genghis Khan launched 
campaigns against China, Central Asia, and the 
Middle East, creating a vast empire through military 
conquest and strategic alliances.
Page 5


Nomadic Empires
O v e r v i e w
The idea of 'nomadic empires' 
might seem odd. Nomads are 
known for wandering, simple social 
structures, and basic political 
systems. 'Empire' suggests a fixed 
place, complex social and economic 
organization, and a large territory 
managed by a detailed 
administration.
However, these contrasting ideas 
don't always hold true, especially 
when looking at empires created by 
nomadic groups. This section will 
explore the Mongol Empire of 
Central Asia, founded by Genghis 
Khan. This empire spanned both 
Europe and Asia in the 13th and 
14th centuries.
Sources on Mongol History
1
Diverse Perspectives
Most of what we know about 
nomadic societies comes from 
writings by city people. These 
accounts are often biased. 
However, the Mongol's success led 
to more positive accounts, 
challenging the negative views.
2
Russian Scholarship
Important research on the 
Mongols was done by Russian 
scholars in the 18th and 19th 
centuries as Russia gained control 
over Central Asia. This research 
includes notes from travelers, 
soldiers, merchants, and scholars.
3
Multilingual Sources
Because the Mongol empire 
stretched across continents, 
sources are in many languages. The 
most important are Chinese, 
Mongolian, Persian, and Arabic. 
But there are also valuable sources 
in Italian, Latin, French, and 
Russian.
Introduction
1
Early Life
Genghis Khan was born around 1162 near the Onon 
river in the north of present-day Mongolia. Named 
T emujin, he was the son of Yesugei, the chieftain of 
the Kiyat, a group of families related to the Borjigid 
clan. His early life was marked by hardship and 
struggle.
2
Building Alliances
Through the 1180s and 1190s, T emujin formed 
important alliances, including with Ong Khan of the 
Kereyits. He used these alliances to defeat powerful 
adversaries and consolidate his power.
3
Unification of Mongols
By 1206, T emujin had become the dominant 
personality in the politics of the steppe lands. At an 
assembly of Mongol chieftains (quriltai), he was 
proclaimed the 'Great Khan of the Mongols' (Qa'an) 
with the title Genghis Khan, the 'Oceanic Khan' or 
'Universal Ruler' .
4
Military Campaigns
After unifying the Mongols, Genghis Khan launched 
campaigns against China, Central Asia, and the 
Middle East, creating a vast empire through military 
conquest and strategic alliances.
Social and Political Background of the 
Mongols
Pastoral Nomads
The Mongols were 
pastoralists who tended 
horses, sheep, and to a lesser 
extent, cattle, goats and 
camels. They nomadized in the 
steppes of Central Asia in the 
area of the modern state of 
Mongolia.
Nomadic Lifestyle
The Mongols lived in tents, 
gers, and travelled with their 
herds from their winter to 
summer pasture lands. Their 
society was divided into 
patrilineal lineages, with 
richer families having more 
influence in local politics.
Trade Relations
The scant resources of the 
steppe lands drove Mongols 
and other Central Asian 
nomads to trade and barter 
with their sedentary 
neighbors in China, 
exchanging horses and furs for 
agricultural produce and iron 
utensils.
Frontier Conflicts
The relationship between 
nomads and settled societies 
was often marked by tension 
and conflict, with nomads 
sometimes resorting to raids 
and plunder when trade was 
not favorable.