#Mongol history

[carigradmergen]

Three girls from across the vast Eurasian steppe, and their really, really tall headdresses!

From left to right: the Russian kokoshnik, the Kazakh saukele, and the Mongol boqtaq.

BTW boqtaqs and kokoshniks could be worn by both married women and brides, while saukeles are normally only worn by brides in their weddings.

[hindsart]

They say a maiden carrying a lamb can travel the entire length of the Mongol Empire alone

[tasty-tiago]

Khutulun, Mongolian Princess Warrior

[ra-horakhty-art]

Get up.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[city-of-ladies]

“In the early days of the Eurasian steppe, knowing how to use a bow and ride a horse could be the difference between survival or death. Wolves, enemy tribes, and other dangers lurked everywhere. “You’re pretty much out on the steppe by yourself [so] the men had to learn how to do the women’s jobs and the women had to learn how to do the men’s job,” says May. While men traditionally protected the camp and women cared for the tribe’s herds, everyone had to be ready to pick up the slack, especially if an enemy tribe decided to raid your own. “If you’re living in a group of 20 people and another 20 people ride over the hill and they want what you have, whether that be water or sheep or you name it, anything, it would be silly to have ten of [your] people just sitting on the ground,” says Greenland.

(...)

Before the late 12th century, tribes scattered across the steppe often fought each other, so every warrior mattered. If an enemy tribe decided to raid your camp, everyone, men and women, took up their bows and battle axes to defend their home.”

[mormezarlik]

Timuçinim..seni ben seçtim..

[noasimss]

Sims Around the World #28 - Mongolia

A princess :)

CC links under the cut!

dress & crown 

Hair

Eyeliner

Blush - base game (MAC)

Lipstick

Nails - base game

[tabutesakina]

A Forgotten Tale of Diplomacy: The Preservation of Knowledge During the Fall of Baghdad (1258)

The Mongol invasion of Baghdad in 1258 remains one of the most tragic and devastating events in Islamic history. The once-great city, a beacon of knowledge, culture, and scholarship, was reduced to ashes, and its libraries—the very heart of the Islamic Golden Age—were destroyed. The ink from countless books turned the Tigris River black, a powerful symbol of the cultural and intellectual loss suffered at the hands of the Mongols.

However, amidst this destruction, a lesser-known story of wisdom and diplomacy unfolded. While the mainstream narrative often focuses on the violent fall of the city and the defeat of the Abbasid Caliphate, the Shia scholars of the time chose a different path—one that ultimately ensured the survival of their intellectual heritage.

By the mid-13th century, the Mongols, led by Hulagu Khan, had set their sights on Baghdad, the jewel of the Islamic world. The Abbasid Caliph, Al-Musta'sim, underestimated the Mongols and refused to surrender, believing the city's defenses and divine favor would be enough to protect it. This proved to be a fatal miscalculation. When the Mongols breached the city’s defenses, they unleashed a brutal massacre. Hundreds of thousands perished, and Baghdad’s libraries and universities, the pride of the Islamic world, were destroyed.

Delegations from the city—representing the Sunni rulers, Christian communities, and Shia scholars—attempted to negotiate with Hulagu Khan. The results, however, varied drastically for each group.

While other groups sought to resist or negotiate terms that Hulagu found unacceptable, the Shia scholars took a different approach. Recognizing the sheer might of the Mongol forces and knowing that resistance would be futile, they offered a peaceful submission. What set the Shia scholars apart, however, was their strategic foresight.

Instead of focusing on preserving wealth or political power, the Shia delegation emphasized the importance of preserving knowledge. According to accounts passed down within Shia traditions—accounts that remain untranslated and thus little known in the broader historical narrative—the Shia scholars struck a precise deal with Hulagu Khan. They provided him with an exact count of the books they wished to preserve and the number of camels needed to transport them. In return, the Mongol leader granted them safe passage out of Baghdad, allowing them to take their precious books with them while the city around them crumbled.

While much of the Islamic world suffered the loss of centuries of knowledge, the Shia scholars secured the survival of their intellectual heritage through this astute negotiation. They left the city with their books intact, ensuring that the wisdom they had accumulated over generations would not be lost to the flames of war.

One figure who stands out in this period is the renowned Shia scholar, Allama Hilli (1250–1325). Though only eight years old when Baghdad fell, Allama Hilli would later play a key role in preserving and advancing Shia thought in the aftermath of the Mongol invasion. He is best known for his influence on the Ilkhanid ruler Öljaitü, a descendant of Hulagu Khan, who eventually embraced Shiism under Allama Hilli’s guidance.

Allama Hilli’s contribution to Shia scholarship cannot be overstated. His works in theology, jurisprudence, and philosophy shaped the intellectual landscape of the Shia world for generations. In many ways, his achievements were built on the foundations laid by earlier scholars—those who had the foresight to preserve their books and knowledge during the Mongol onslaught.

This episode of Shia diplomacy during the Mongol siege of Baghdad offers a valuable lesson in the importance of pragmatism and intellectual preservation in times of crisis. While many chose to fight or flee, the Shia scholars chose a third path—one that ensured the survival of their intellectual legacy.

Unfortunately, this story remains largely untold in mainstream historical accounts, in part because the details of the negotiation with Hulagu Khan have been preserved in Shia sources that have never been widely translated. Yet, for those who delve into the lesser-known corners of history, this episode serves as a powerful reminder that knowledge, when carefully protected, can outlast even the most destructive forces.

The Mongol destruction of Baghdad was one of history’s great cultural tragedies, but within this dark chapter lies a story of survival. The Shia scholars, through careful negotiation and a focus on the preservation of knowledge, managed to escape the worst of the devastation and ensure that their intellectual heritage would live on. In a world where the might of the sword often overshadows the power of the pen, the actions of these scholars demonstrate the enduring strength of wisdom and diplomacy.

As we reflect on the fall of Baghdad, let us also remember the foresight of those who, in the midst of chaos, chose to preserve what mattered most—their books and the knowledge contained within them.

[irithnova]

Mongolian Archery/Headcanons

- In the Middle Ages, Mongolian archery held great military significance. The earliest recorded bow shot was made in 1226 as a stone inscription, by Yisüngge, Chinggis Khan's nephew, achieving a remarkable 335-fathom (about 575 yards) shot.

Stele of Yisüngge.

- Mongolian men were trained from a young age to become excellent marksmen, and archery played a crucial role in their military prowess.

- According to the Franciscan friar John of Plano Carpini, Mongols started shooting from the age of two, and they displayed excellent marksmanship skills from childhood to adulthood.

- Mongolian men dedicated much of their time to crafting their own arrows, which had diverse heads made from materials like bone or iron.

- The powerful tension of the bow caused it to spring back when unstrung, a challenge often mentioned in Mongolian epics as the heroic test of stringing a powerful bow.

Traditional Mongolian Bows and Arrows:

- Under the Qing Dynasty (1636–1912), all bannermen were required to undergo archery training. The military compound bows were typically about 1 1/4 meters (four feet) long, but longer bows up to two meters (six feet) were used for hunting.

- A grown man was required to handle a minimum pull weight of about 37 kilograms (80 pounds), while those participating in the imperial hunt needed to manage around 60 kilograms (133 pounds).

- Training included shooting from a standing position and also while galloping on horseback. Archers held the reins in their left hand or mouth while using their right hand to pull back the bow.

- The bows were constructed using a core made from goat horn or deer antler, covered with wood (larch, elm, or bamboo), and wrapped in animal tendons. The bows were powerful and required skill to string properly, making this task a distinguishing test of a hero's strength in Mongolian epics.

- The bowstrings were made of silk threads or leather wrapped in tendons, and arrows were crafted from materials like pine, birch, or willow. Arrowheads were made from deer antler, bone, or iron.

- Well-constructed compound bows and arrows were highly prized and fetched high prices. While powerful war bows were used for large game, simpler bows made of strips of fir or larch were used for small game.

Traditional Archery Techniques

- Mongolian archers used a unique technique of placing the arrow on the right, or outer, side of the bow. The arrow was held with the thumb and forefinger, and the bowstring was drawn with the thumb, protected by a heavy leather or polished stone ring.

- To release the arrow, the archer rolled the string off the ring. Skilled archers were trained not only to shoot from a standing position but also while galloping on horseback, using their right hand to draw the bow and holding the reins in the left hand or mouth.

Archery Competitions and Targets

- Archery competitions were an important aspect of Mongolian culture during religious rituals and Naadam games.

- In military competitions, the targets were made of sheepskin stretched over wooden frames or wooden balls placed on poles about 1.7 meters (5.5 feet) high. They were sometimes called "mangas" or monsters, as the Mongols found it disturbing to target human or animal figures.

- In Naadam games, archery was practiced using large, blunt ivory heads. The most common target was a pyramid or line of sur, made of leather straps rolled into a cylinder and filled with oak bark or leather, which the archers were required to knock over.

Decline and Revival of Archery

- By the late 19th century, firearms became more useful in hunting and warfare, causing a decline in archery competitions.

- Among the lamas of Khüriye (modern Ulaanbaatar), archery was replaced with shooting astragali (shagai) at a distance of 3 meters (9 feet) using horn or ivory bullets (ankle of sheep and goat) flicked by the middle finger from a wooden plank. This is because, due to their religious beliefs, they could not touch a weapon.

This is my own shagai set by the way!

- In the early 20th century, efforts were made to revive archery as a sport. In 1922, the army Naadam in Mongolia and in 1924, the Sur-Kharbaan (Archery) games in the Buryat Republic became annual events, marking the resurgence of archery as a recreational sport.

Changes in modern Archery

- In modern times, traditional Mongolian bows are still used in Mongolia, with archers using the traditional thumb technique.

- However, among Buryat and Inner Mongolian archers, European-style professional model bows and Western shooting styles have been adopted.

- The National Holiday Naadam rules now involve each man firing 40 arrows at a distance of 75 meters (246 feet), and women shooting 20 arrows at a distance of 60 meters (197 feet).

Headcanons

Mongolia obviously takes great pride in his cultural heritage and traditions. Archery is an integral part of his history and has been for centuries. It’s a skill that takes years to perfect - to become proficient one needs to develop both physical and mental control.

I think making bows would be a hobby of his! Not only does it keep him connected with his culture and history - as I previously mentioned, it's a skill. Bow-making/archery not only is a creative hobby, it's a physical and mental one too because of the patience and precision that is needed to create the bows/arrows, and of course, the archery itself is a mental and physical challenge!

The process of making his own bows can be both therapeutic and challenging at the same time. It requires a lot of patience and attention to detail while working with natural materials that may require specialised tools not commonly found today.

Nevertheless, he finds it to be an incredibly fulfilling experience to create something entirely by hand that is also functional and aesthetically pleasing. He enjoys painting/putting designs on them and he has quite a diverse set.

So really, bow making and archery for him:

Helps him stay in touch with his culture and history

A creative hobby

A hobby that requires mental fortitude/patience

A physical hobby

He's glad to have finally seen a resurgence and celebration of archery in his country after the rise of firearms kind of depleted it's use/popularity. It is now seen as a recreational sport in Mongolia and he treats it as a recreational sport too.

He takes pride watching participants demonstrate their skills during the Naadam Festival and other competitions where they strive to shoot targets from quite a distance away with incredible precision. The sound of the bowstring when an arrow releases - that twang sound- never gets old for him!

When he watches the younger generation take up archery, it does indeed remind him of his own experiences learning the skill as a child too.

I must say, he's still got a few tricks up his sleeve when it comes to horseback archery - even after all these years! At times, he still participates in local competitions just for fun (jock™)- he loves the the thrill of hitting a target while galloping alongside a horse.

It's definitely not something you can master overnight. Horseback archery requires an immense amount of control as well as skill from both the rider and the horse. Nevertheless, given his background as someone who understands strategy and has trained with bows since ancient times- participating is always an exciting prospect.

Sometimes he gets the chance to assist in judging in some archery competitions, which he always enjoys. He also enjoys reading about archery from different cultures too!

Of course with all of his responsibilities, he doesn't do this as often as he would like. However if you ask him about it, he'd probably do a bit of an info dump on you.

In essence, archery provides the perfect balance of discipline, creativity and physicality that he personally finds very fulfilling. Plus, it’s just plain fun!

[memories-of-ancients]

What a Samurai vs Mongol battle really looked like

from History Dose

[eruverse]

It is so over

[ra-horakhty-art]

Arrow

“As you injured my dun horse's neck with an arrow, when I was riding it, I'll give you name Jebe instead of yours. Will be my arrow, which will defend me on days and nights!“

© Temujin

The secret history of the mongols.

[city-of-ladies]

Mongol women at work

"No records account for women specifically working on the postal roads as couriers, although Mongol women often had physically demanding jobs. Alongside elite women sometimes participating in hunting and warfare, women at all levels of society would herd animals and were in charge of packing up wagons to move camp.

Additionally, Yuan governmental policy assigned specific jobs required for the smooth running of the empire to households (for example, post-road couriers), which meant that if a man was not available to do a job (due to absence or death), women would be obliged to step into the role assigned to her family.

In the record Heida Shilüe 黑韃事畧 (A Sketch of the Black Tatars), the Song dynasty envoy Peng Daya’s 彭大雅 observations from a visit to the Mongol territories in 1233, expanded upon by Xu Ting’s 徐霆 (another Song envoy) record from 1235–1236, both men note that Mongol women did many tasks on horseback. Peng writes, “In horsemanship and archery, babies are tied with cords onto plats which then are fastened onto horses’ backs, so they can go about with their mothers”. Xu Ting elaborates on Peng’s observations with this anecdote:

I saw an old Tatar lady, when she had finished giving birth to a baby in the wilderness. She used sheep’s wool to wipe off the child, then used a sheepskin for swaddling clothes. Binding the baby up in a little cart, four or five feet long and one foot wide, the old lady thereupon tucked the cart crosswise under her arm and straightaway rode off on horseback.

This is a strange story—why would Xu Ting have been in a position to witness a woman giving birth? As his account of the Mongols highlights, the Mongol population that Xu Ting interacted with were post-road couriers during his travels within the empire and personnel at the Mongol court, and it is unlikely that he witnessed a woman giving birth and immediately riding off on her horse to take up courtly duties, so it is plausible that this was a woman he saw who was working along the postal road, filling in for an absent male relative. Therefore, while no specific accounts of women postal couriers exist, in reading between the lines of Xu Ting’s narrative, the possibility of women postal workers in the Yuan becomes more likely."

Riders in the Tomb: Women Equestrians in North Chinese Funerary Art (10th–14th Centuries), Eiren L. Shea

[mxliv-oftheendless]

The more I read about the Mongol Empire, the more I just wanna go back in time and live there. I mean shit, I get religious tolerance, public schooling, thriving trade and commerce, flourishing fine arts, intellectual advancements, standardized systems of law and bureaucracy, an emphasis on diversity and inclusion in intellectual and scientific pursuits—and all I have to do is swear undying loyalty to the khan??? Sign me the fuck up that sounds fantastic.