The Mongols used a sophisticated system of communication that was based on the yam postal system, the imperial messengers, and a number of other institutions. The system made it possible to communicate across the Mongol Empire in a matter of weeks, and it was one of the most important factors in the success of the Mongol military, the Mongol administration, and the Pax Mongolica.
The system of communication was one of the most distinctive features of the Mongol state, and it was widely copied by the successor states of the Mongol Empire. The system was based on a combination of military discipline, technological innovation, and administrative efficiency, and it was one of the keys to the success of the Mongol conquests.
The Yam Postal System
The yam postal system was the backbone of the Mongol communication system. The system was based on a network of way stations, called yams, located at intervals of roughly twenty-five to thirty miles along the major routes of the empire. The yams were equipped with fresh horses, lodging, and food, and they were staffed by a special corps of couriers, called the “yamchin,” who carried messages in sealed pouches across the empire.
The yam was a major factor in the success of the Mongol communication system. The system made it possible to communicate across the empire in a matter of weeks, and it allowed the government to send orders and reinforcements to the front in a matter of weeks. The system also allowed the government to gather intelligence from the far ends of the empire, and it allowed the merchants to supply the army with goods and materials.
The Imperial Messengers
The imperial messengers were a special corps of couriers who carried the most important messages of the imperial government. The imperial messengers were selected for their speed, endurance, and reliability, and they were given a special status in the imperial service. The imperial messengers carried the imperial seal, called the “gerege” or “paiza,” and they were entitled to demand fresh horses, lodging, and food at the yams.
The imperial messengers were used to carry the most important messages, including the orders of the great khan, the reports of the provincial governors, and the diplomatic correspondence of the imperial court. The imperial messengers were also used to carry the tribute of the subject peoples, including gold, silver, silk, and other precious goods. The imperial messengers were, in effect, the backbone of the imperial administration, and they were one of the keys to the success of the Mongol state.
The Signals and Banners
The Mongols also used a sophisticated system of signals and banners on the battlefield. The system was based on a combination of flags, banners, and drums, and it allowed the Mongol commanders to communicate with their troops over long distances. The system was particularly important in the heat of battle, when the noise of the combat made verbal communication difficult.
The most famous of the Mongol signals was the “white banner,” which was the imperial standard and which was carried into battle by the khan himself. The white banner was a symbol of the imperial authority, and it was the rallying point for the Mongol warriors. The other signals included colored banners that were used to indicate the different units of the army, and drums that were used to signal the advance and the retreat.
The Diplomatic Missions
The Mongols also used a system of diplomatic missions to communicate with foreign powers. The diplomatic missions were led by experienced diplomats, called “elchi,” and they were sent to the courts of foreign powers to negotiate treaties, to gather intelligence, and to deliver the demands of the great khan. The diplomatic missions were given a great deal of authority, and they were often accompanied by a large retinue of officials, soldiers, and servants.
The diplomatic missions were particularly important in the early phases of the Mongol conquests, when the Mongols were trying to establish relations with foreign powers. The diplomatic missions were also important in the later phases, when the Mongols were trying to maintain the loyalty of their subject populations. The diplomatic missions were, in effect, the eyes and ears of the Mongol state, and they were one of the keys to the success of the Mongol administration.
The Spies and Informants
The Mongols also used a system of spies and informants to gather information on the enemy and to maintain the loyalty of the subject populations. The spies and informants were drawn from a variety of backgrounds, including merchants, travelers, and religious figures, and they were given a special status in the imperial service.
The spies and informants were particularly important in the early phases of the Mongol conquests, when the Mongols were trying to gather information on the political and military situation of the enemy. The spies and informants were also important in the later phases, when the Mongols were trying to maintain the loyalty of the subject populations. The spies and informants were, in effect, the eyes and ears of the Mongol state, and they were one of the keys to the success of the Mongol administration.
The Legacy of the Mongol Communication System
The Mongol communication system was one of the most distinctive features of the Mongol state, and it was widely copied by the successor states of the Mongol Empire. The system was based on a combination of military discipline, technological innovation, and administrative efficiency, and it was one of the keys to the success of the Mongol conquests.
The legacy of the Mongol communication system is also visible in the modern world. The postal system, the diplomatic service, and the intelligence service are all features of the modern state that can be traced, in part, to the Mongol communication system. The Mongols were, in this sense, a model of administrative innovation, and the communication system is one of the most distinctive features of the Mongol state.
Sources
- Timothy May, The Mongol Art of War (Barnsley, 2007).
- David Morgan, The Mongols (2nd ed., Oxford, 2007).
- Christopher I. Beckwith, Empires of the Silk Road (Princeton, 2009).