Diplomacy and Chancellery Practices in the Chagataid Khanate: Some Preliminary Remarks

Biran, Michal

doi:10.1163/22138617-08802010

Cited by 21 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Historical sources from the four khanates (Yuan, Ilkhanate, Golden Horde, Chaghataids), spread as they were across Eurasia, relate information on diplomatic correspondence and etiquette in a number of contemporary sources like the Yuanshi (Chinese) and Jami al Tawarikh (Persian). There are also chancery documents and letters sent by Mongol Khans, fragments of Uyghur and Turfan documents (Biran, 2008; Dai, 2021) and papal letters and decrees. In addition, there are also accounts and travelogues written by Franciscan friars and missionaries (Cordier, 2010) like William of Rubruck (Jackson et al, 1990), Plano (Vaughan & Neureiter, 2012) di Carpini (Carpini et al, 1903; Giovanni, 1996), along with biographies and writings of emissaries like Rabban Sawma (Budge et al, 2014).…”

Section: Mongol Institutions and Diplomatic Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

“…A historic text entitled, Kutadgu Bilig gives a description of qualities and characteristics of diplomats that include intelligence, scholarly attributes of being able to read and write, linguistic skills, well-educated along with being handsome and ‘versed in poetry and sciences such as astronomy and mathematics’. (Biran, 2008, p. 380; Yusuf Khass Hajib Dankoff translation of Kutadgu Bilig, 1983).…”

Section: Science (Scientists) In Diplomacymentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Case for Science Diplomacy in Mongol Eurasia

Kalra

2023

Journal of Eurasian Studies

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This paper considers the concept of science diplomacy in the context of Eurasian history with a particular focus on the period of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. The Mongol Empire held sway over much of Eurasia and thus participated in diplomatic activity within and outside of Mongol domains. Scientists and intellectuals routinely headed diplomatic embassies sent and received by the Mongol Empire. Diplomats were valued for their knowledge and skills and served as interlocutors and translators for the Mongol Khans. These scientist-diplomats were key figures in the court and were essential in facilitating exchanges, building connections and fostering relations. As polyglots and polymaths they were able to operate in a multi-cultural environment. They were part of the complex framework of the Mongol Empire that brought to bear a kind of Eurasian development model that relied on expertise, knowledge and resources that could be utilised across the empire. Set within this context, the paper describes the creation of a politico-science complex in Mongol Eurasia with a special emphasis on the relationship between the Mongol Khans and their partners, chief among them were scientists and intellectuals. The Mongol Empire as an empire built upon exchanges summarises how scientific exchanges were both a product of and a driver for diplomatic relations in this period. Thus, the historical connection between diplomacy and science in Eurasia is a necessary component in understanding the modern notion of science diplomacy beyond a European context and applied more globally both in terms of time and space.

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Section: Mongol Institutions and Diplomatic Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Science (Scientists) In Diplomacymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Case for Science Diplomacy in Mongol Eurasia

Kalra

2023

Journal of Eurasian Studies

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“…The compilers of the Yuanshi seem to have had a negative view of Güyüg's reign as lacking in law and order (Kim 2005: 310-311). 20 Biran 1997: 20;Biran 2008: 381, 384. 21 Miao Dong 2009 and obedience, disaster and happiness pertaining to officials."…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Judge at the Crossroads of Cultures: Shi Tianlin

Hodous

2017

Asiatische Studien - Études Asiatiques

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Shi Tianlin is one of only two known officials who was appointed to act as judge both in the West and the East of the Mongol Empire, during the period of the united empire when officials were often appointed cross-regionally. Coming from near today’s Beijing, he came to prominence for his knowledge of languages, and was granted a Mongol name. He was a judge in a Western campaign, probably that of Batu against the Qipchaqs and Russians. Later, he was sent by Möngke Khan to Qaidu in Central Asia, and detained there for 28 years, before returning to Yuan China. Despite his long absence from China and though his activity as judge was very short (he declined to be re-appointed as judge when he arrived back in China), the prestige of the appointment stuck, and his son and grandson were both judges in China. The shendaobei, or Spirit-Way Inscription, of Shi Tianlin is particularly interesting for the way in which it explains Mongol concepts in Chinese terms. One of these is the jasagh (held to be the law code of Chinggis Khan), which is equated with Chinese falü (statute or law code). Rather than explaining its contents however, the inscription talks about the importance of following “the jasagh of Confucius”, namely the Lunyu or Analects of Confucius. The inscription – and presumably Shi Tianlin during his lifetime – thus uses a widely-known Mongol concept to promote Chinese values, showing the complexities of intercultural communication and exchange during the Mongol era.

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“…This side of the Mongol rule in Eurasia included, beyond the obvious migration of people, also the very intensive cross-continental migration of ideas, commodities and deseases (see, e. g.,Allsen 1987;1997; 2004;Biran 2008;2015;DeWeese 2006;Isahaya 2013;Kadoi 2009;Kauz 2006;Landa 2016b;Qiu 2016;Yang 2014 to name just a few, and note also the very interesting recent dissertation of Chen Chunxiao 2016 on the "migration" of the Chinese cultural elements into the Ilkhanate). 70See Landa 2016a: 175-176, 183-187.…”

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confidence: 99%

Türaqai Güregen (d. 1296–7) and His Lineage: History of a Cross-Asia Journey

Landa

2017

Asiatische Studien - Études Asiatiques

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The history of the Mongol conquests in Eurasia was not least the history of the numerous migrations of masses of people across the continent. This essay discusses one specific case study, namely that of the Mongol commander and Chinggisid imperial son-in-law Türaqai of the Oyirad tribe and his lineage throughout the thirteenth century. He himself was probably born in Iran or Iraq. His family, however, came from Mongolia to Iran during the Mongol conquests. The article discusses Türaqai’s life, in particular his (and his army’s) flight from the Ilkhanate to the Mamlūk Sultanate in 1296. He also made an unsuccessful attempt to become part of the Mamlūk military, which costed him and his close supporters their lives. Looking through the lenses of this biographical narrative, the essay presents a broader picture of the military nomadic migrations in Chinggisid Eurasia and their mechanisms. The essay also pays special attention to the position of the Chinggisid sons-in-law, who held a highly respected status in the Mongol political architecture. Additionally, it highlights some main issues related to the migration of the nomadic tribes and their resettlement in the newly conquered areas under the Mongol rule, such as assimilation, conversion to Islam and the different dimensions of their relations with the local populations.

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Diplomacy and Chancellery Practices in the Chagataid Khanate: Some Preliminary Remarks

Cited by 21 publications

References 0 publications

The Case for Science Diplomacy in Mongol Eurasia

The Case for Science Diplomacy in Mongol Eurasia

A Judge at the Crossroads of Cultures: Shi Tianlin

Türaqai Güregen (d. 1296–7) and His Lineage: History of a Cross-Asia Journey

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