The Mongol Empire, started by Genghis Khan back in the early 1200s, became the biggest land empire ever. At its height, it stretched from Eastern Europe all the way to the Sea of Japan, covering parts of the Middle East, India, and China. Genghis Khan, whose real name was Temujin, brought together various Mongol tribes through a mix of talks, battles, and a strict set of laws known as the Yassa. His army was known for being super mobile, using smart tactics and psychological tricks to conquer a lot of land with not so many soldiers.
The empire thrived not just because of military might, but also due to good governance and their ability to adapt to different cultures. They ran a decentralized system where local leaders could govern with some oversight from the empire. Trade along the Silk Road boomed under Mongol protection, allowing for a big cultural and economic exchange between the East and West. Leaders after Genghis, like Kublai Khan, pushed the empire even further and started the Yuan Dynasty in China.
Mongol rule was marked by religious tolerance, the idea of fair hiring, and improved communication with relay stations and postal routes, which made connecting across Eurasia easier. But as the empire grew, it eventually split into smaller parts called khanates, like the Golden Horde and the Ilkhanate. Even though the empire declined, its impact can still be seen today in military strategies, government practices, and connections between cultures. It changed the world by linking far-off civilizations and setting the stage for future empires and global trade.
