HST 197 Lecture Notes - Lecture 53: Chinghiz Aitmatov, Kurultai, Charismatic Authority
Document Summary
Formation of the nokor institution: the military retinue of non-tribal retainers. People from other other clans, merchant circles. Khan said he will lead people and promises them wealth and glory in exchange for their support. He ends up following through on all these promises. Unification of mongol tribes then expansion into uyghur turk territory. Incorporation of uyghur elite and skilled population into imperial state. Very scholarly society, so mongols targeted them so they could help run their empire. The mongols learned quickly to integrate subject people into the empire, so they can use skills of the subjects. Skills in new techniques, access to wealth and expertise of urban populations. Encounter with and integration of urban, literate islamic culture. Needed people who were good at breaking down defensive walls or good at finding other ways into cities. Reign of chingiz khan"s sons and grandson. Central rule under supreme qaghan but regional control in hands of top male family members.
