Feb 11
27
The Mongolian yurt is no camping tent but a veritable mobile home – latch it to some horses as the locals do and you might virtually call it an RV!
Yurts are much more technical compared to Native teepee (also spelled “tipi” these days) more common to most Americans, but could be positioned in mere minutes: under ten, typically – which makes them similar to a camping tent in this regard!
They are larger than teepees and house several components of full-sized furniture, yet with sufficient manpower (generally a family of ten or so individuals) they are rapidly set up and can be just as quickly packed up.
The power of the ancient Mongolian empires is often attributed to their speedy and hardy horses, and the people’s intimate relationship with them.
But a case can be made that their yurts were also a contributing factor, possibly secondary in significance but deserving the reputation of a top-five placement nonetheless.
Far from being a thin camping tent, the yurt was a true home for these wandering warriors of destiny, who followed treasure and adventure to create a history like no other on earth.
All things considered, though the ponies helped them ride for a long time, it was the yurt that provided housing for their assistance – wives, families, and non-fighters who contributed them the necessary supplies.
Unlike the cities to which the Mongol warriors laid siege, their own homes were safely far behind, and the absolute mobility the yurt provided proved to be a great tactical in addition to strategic advantage.
The Mongols did not come by their empire because of fear and terror by itself, regardless of their historical standing.
As much as their steeds and yurts helped them conquer, so too did a relatively enlightened hands-off policy help them maintain their holdings.
Subject towns, cities, and whole countries had but to acknowledge Mongol suzerainty, in effect paying a regular tribute, and were mainly left alone to otherwise continue their relationships in pretty much the same way as before.
