Mongolia has long been known as the "land of the horse." The Mongolian Empire (1206 - 1370 CE) was won on the back of the horse, making the relationship between Mongols and horses a fitting one to discuss here.
Without the horse, the largest land empire in history (the extent of which can be seen in the map below) would not have been won. Horses were, and still are, important in many aspects of Mongol life. They provided mobility, sustenance, and were part of spiritual rituals.
Without the horse, the largest land empire in history (the extent of which can be seen in the map below) would not have been won. Horses were, and still are, important in many aspects of Mongol life. They provided mobility, sustenance, and were part of spiritual rituals.
Horses were especially prized for the mobility they provided. This not only allowed the Mongols to care for their widespread flocks but also to roundup their herds of horses. The small Mongolian horses, ancestors of the ones seen in the modern picture below, were most valued for their usefulness in warfare, as they gave the Mongols a tactical advantage, especially against sedentary communities.
In combat the horses were fast and able to move supply on the battlefield. The infamous Genghis Khan was the first Mongol leader to truly exploit these traits in battle, designing hit-and-run raids in which his mounted men could quickly race back to the steppes and away from the enemy. Their ability to accurately shoot bows while on horseback also contributed to their military success. One Chinese chronicler recognized how valuable the horse was to the Mongols, stating that “by nature they are good at riding and shooting. Therefore they took possession of the world through this advantage of bow and horse.” Horses were even used in a primitive news-carrying service, similar to the Pony Express in America. For these and other purposes Mongols had a great wealth of horses. During war, each rider had as many as four mounts to rotate so he could always be riding a fresh horse. From Europe in the East to China in the West, the horse helped the Mongols gain dominion.
Interestingly enough, the horse also provided both food and drink to the Mongols. In the event that food ran out on long trips or battle campaigns, a rider would cut his horse’s vein and drink the blood that flowed out. The mares also provided milk, which made them a preferable mount. Often, the milk would be fermented into Kumiss, a powerful alcoholic beverage. The Mongols literally depended on horses for survival in battle.
Horses also played a spiritual role in Mongolian culture. It was and still is believed that one rides to heaven on the back of a horse. Perhaps this is why it was a common practice to bury fallen Mongols with their steeds. It is said that when Genghis Khan died he was buried with forty horses to bring with him to the afterlife.
When Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai Khan, ascended to the Chinese throne he lost the steppe breeding grounds that were so important in the consolidation of the Mongol Empire. Without control of the mounted warriors he lost control of the empire.
Even today the horse holds high importance in Mongolian culture.
Interestingly enough, the horse also provided both food and drink to the Mongols. In the event that food ran out on long trips or battle campaigns, a rider would cut his horse’s vein and drink the blood that flowed out. The mares also provided milk, which made them a preferable mount. Often, the milk would be fermented into Kumiss, a powerful alcoholic beverage. The Mongols literally depended on horses for survival in battle.
Horses also played a spiritual role in Mongolian culture. It was and still is believed that one rides to heaven on the back of a horse. Perhaps this is why it was a common practice to bury fallen Mongols with their steeds. It is said that when Genghis Khan died he was buried with forty horses to bring with him to the afterlife.
When Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai Khan, ascended to the Chinese throne he lost the steppe breeding grounds that were so important in the consolidation of the Mongol Empire. Without control of the mounted warriors he lost control of the empire.
Even today the horse holds high importance in Mongolian culture.
The importance of horses to Mongols is quite visible in their own art and artifacts and art produced by others.
The above painting of Kublai Khan was created by Liu Guandao, a Chinese court artist, in 1280. Horses are prominent, if not the main focus, of this piece.
The painting below is of Mongolian cavalry men. It is supposedly from a manuscript dating back to the early 1300s called "Jāmiʿ al-tawārīkh" or "Universal History" created by a Persian man by the name of Rashid-al-din Hamadini. In this piece the skill of the archers on horseback is acknowledged.
The painting below is of Mongolian cavalry men. It is supposedly from a manuscript dating back to the early 1300s called "Jāmiʿ al-tawārīkh" or "Universal History" created by a Persian man by the name of Rashid-al-din Hamadini. In this piece the skill of the archers on horseback is acknowledged.
The piece below was created in the Ming dynasty well after the Mongol Empire lost control of china, probably in the 15th or 16th century. Creator unknown.
Artifacts such as the saddle below may also been seen as art. The ornate detailing is surely an expression of art, as well as an expression of how cherished horses were. This piece is estimated to be from the 13th-14th.
Many other examples of Mongolian art and art by other Asian peoples depicting the prevalence of horses in Mongolian society exist. You will find a few more in the gallery below.
References
"The Horse in Mongolian History." American Museum of Natural History, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2014.
Rossabi, Morris. "The Mongols in World History: "All the Khan's Horses"." Asian Topics in World History. Columbia University, 1994. Web. 13 Apr. 2014.
"The Mongols in World History." Asian Topics in World History. Columbia University, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2014.
Rossabi, Morris. "The Mongols in World History: "All the Khan's Horses"." Asian Topics in World History. Columbia University, 1994. Web. 13 Apr. 2014.
"The Mongols in World History." Asian Topics in World History. Columbia University, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2014.