The Mongol Empire — The Empire of Horsemen That Shook the World

The Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan in 1206, became the largest contiguous land empire in world history. Its territories stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the Danube River, covering nearly the entire Eurasian continent. This was made possible by exceptional organization, strict discipline, and the extraordinary mobility of the Mongol army.

Genghis Khan carried out large-scale reforms: he created a new administrative system, established a strict military hierarchy, implemented the laws of the “Great Yassa”, and united scattered nomadic tribes. He was not only a brilliant military leader but also a pragmatic ruler — often keeping local administrations intact if they submitted peacefully.

After Genghis Khan's death in 1227, the empire was divided among his sons and grandsons, but it retained unity for a time. His grandson Kublai became emperor of China, founded the Yuan Dynasty, and made Beijing the capital, transforming Mongolia into a center of global power.

The Mongols greatly promoted trade, especially along the Silk Road. They ensured the safety of caravans, which encouraged the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between East and West. This period saw intense cultural exchange and even the spread of paper money.

At the same time, the empire was notorious for its brutality. Cities that resisted were often annihilated, and populations massacred. Their military tactics instilled fear across Eurasia, compelling many to surrender without a fight. Yet this brutality coexisted with religious tolerance — the Mongols did not impose their beliefs and allowed conquered peoples to practice their own faiths.

By the 14th century, the empire gradually fragmented into separate khanates: the Golden Horde, the Ilkhanate, the Chagatai Khanate, and the Yuan Dynasty. Nevertheless, the legacy of the Mongols endures — they reshaped Eurasia’s map, sparked global trade, fostered cultural exchange, and laid the groundwork for a united China.