Nomadic Empires Eurasian Integration The Turks Never formed

Nomadic Empires & Eurasian Integration

The Turks • • • Never formed one large group Organized into clans All spoke related languages All were nomads or their descendants Settled societies in Persia, Anatolia and India

The Nomads • • Nomadic because of climate of steppes Not enough rain for agriculture Oases some – but mostly grasses No big rivers Good for raising cattle, horses, etc. Moved after animals thinned the grasses Followed the seasons

• Produced small amounts of leather, pottery, tools • Active traders • Were some of the ones that organized the caravans that crossed Asia

• Two classes: – Nobles – personable leaders who became the nobles – not much governing • During war – absolute authority – Commoners – could become nobles because of war conduct

• Gradually liked religions they came in contact with • By 6 th cent. many were Buddhist, or Nestorian Christians (developed writing because of this) • 10 th cent. – the Turks that lived near Abbasid converted to Islam – Carried that religion other places

• Boundaries of Islam expand with influence of Turks • Happened when leaders organized large confederations of people subject to a khan (ruler) – Had allied tribes – Lots of military power due to cavalry – Few armies could defeat them • So, several groups of Turks in 10 th cent. began to seize wealthy societies and build empires Islam & the Turks

Saljuq Turks and Abbasid Emp. • Lived on border of Abbasid for 2 cent. • Many Turks served in AB armies & lived in empire • By 1055 – the caliph of Islam recognized Saljuq leader as sultan (ruler) – name was Tughril Beg – He and successors extended his power • Caliph became a figurehead

Turks and Anatolia • Anatolia was breadbasket of Byz. Emp. • Turks migrated in during early 11 th cent. • 1071 – Saljuq forces defeated Byz. army at Battle of Manzikert • Peasants mostly happy – saw them as saviors • Turks set up own political institutions • Levied taxes on Orthodox Church

• Welcomed converts to Islam • 1453 – Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople • Anatolia (Turkey) became a Turkish, Islamic land

Turks & India • Mahmud of Ghazni led raids into rich areas of India to plunder – Gradually became interested in staying • 13 th cent. , Turks became the Sultanate of Delhi • Conquered all of N. India • Could not conquer S. India

• Constant challenges from Hindu princes • Sometimes had to defend borders from other Turks or Mongols • Mahmud raided Buddhist & Hindu temples, etc. – Took their wealth, destroyed, killed them – Wanted them to convert to Islam

The Mongol Empires • Nomadic Mongols lived on steppe lands of east central Asia • Organized into clans or tribes • Allied with Turks sometimes • Didn’t organize states before the 13 th cent. • Chinggis Khan would make largest empire to this point – Would dissolve in 100 yrs.

Chinggis Khan & the Mongols • • • Name was Temujin – born 1167 Father was warrior - had alliances w/several clans He was poisoned and alliances ended Temujin lived in poverty – several murder attempts. Later made alliance with clan leader

• Was master of steppe diplomacy – display of courage in battle with loyalty to allies, but willingness to betray them to improve position • Brought all Mongols into confederation in 1206 • Assembly of leaders proclaimed him Chinggis Khan (universal ruler)

• Forced men to join military – Chose leaders based on talent or loyalty • Capital at Karakorum • Created strong political state less troubled by conflict between tribes • Most important institution was army – Had great horsemanship – Very mobile – travel 100 miles a day

• If enemies didn’t resist, usually spared their lives • Gave generous treatment to artisans, craftsmen and those with military skills • If enemies resisted – sometimes slaughtered entire population

• 1211 – raids in N. China gradually moved more towards conquest • 1215 captured capital near Beijing – Khanbaliq was Mongol capital • Led another force to Persia – Was ruled by successor to Saljuqs known as Khwarazm shah

– – – CK tried to open trade and diplomacy But Shah despised Mongols Had Mongol envoys murdered Next year, CK took revenge Destroyed cities – killed 100’s of 1000’s Destroyed qanat systems – reduced agr. production

The Mongol Empire • Chinggis Khan died – power struggle b/w sons and grandsons • Eventually divided empire into 4 regional kingdoms • Most talented of his descendants was Khubilai Khan – a grandson – would rule China

Khubilai Khan & China • • • Ruthless against enemies Interested in culture Worked to improve welfare of all subjects Promoted Buddhism, but was religiously tolerant Marco Polo lived in his court for 2 yrs. – Praised him for his generosity • Presided over empire at its height

• • Named Great Khan in 1260 Conquered Song dynasty and ruled all of China 1279 – proclaimed himself emperor Called his dynasty the Yuan – It ruled until 1368 • Tried to invade Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma but failed – Not used to humid jungles or guerrilla tactices • Also tried to invade Japan, but two typhoons stopped him.

• Mongols did not mingle with subjects • Chinese couldn’t learn Mongol language • Outlawed marriage between Chinese and Mongols • Ended privileges enjoyed by Confucian scholars

• Ended Confucian education system and exam • Tolerated all cultural and religious traditions • Most Mongols continued to follow native shamanist cults (animism)

Golden Horde • Mongol group that overran Russia (didn’t occupy it – made them pay tribute) • Mid 15 th century – Princes of Moscow rejected Mongol authority • Mid 16 th century – Russia controlled the steppes.

Persian Ilkhanate • Hulegu (Khubilai’s brother) brought down Abbasid Empire • Established Mongol Ikhanate in Persia • 1258 – captured Baghdad, executed caliph, massacred over 200, 000

• Local Persians allowed to serve in low level gov’t positions • Sometimes could administer the Ilkanate as long as they brought in taxes • Assimilated into Persian culture • Tolerated all faiths • Mongols eventually turned to Islam in Persia

Mongols and Eurasian Integration • Mongols brought much destruction • However, they also brought integration of different societies • Also, linked Eurasian lands • Encouraged travel and communications networks – This promoted: • • trade diplomacy missionaries and migration

• Kept trade routes safe and secure • Set out diplomats and had embassies in other places • Kept ties with Korea, Vietnam, India and part of W. Europe • Buddhists and Christians began to spread through Mongol lands

• Mongols also sponsored resettlement – Didn’t have many craftsmen or specialists – Recruited them from their allies and conquered people – Moved them to where they could be useful • All this promoted Eurasian integration by increasing communications and exchange