China and the Mongol Conquest China and

China and the Mongol Conquest China and Mongol Conquest The 13th century saw the influence of the Mongol Empire which Genghis Khan established stretching from the borders of Poland in the west to the East around Yellow Sea. Grandson of Genghis named Kublai Khan was the ruler of this empire in 1260 after which he went a head to consolidate his power when he relinquish the Mongol conquests outside China and established his capital where modern-day Beijing is now located.

As Venetian merchants, Nicolo Polo and his brother traveled overland in 1260 to the Mongol capital where they remained within the court of Khan until when they reached Venice in 1269. The two merchant once again traveled (though dangerous trip) to Kublai Khan's court in 1271 accompanied by their seventeen-year-old son Marco. They had to take three and a half years before their adventure came to an end. After staying with the Khan for 17 years, they had to endure a return journey of three years after which they arrived in1295.

Due to Marco Polo's intelligence and knowledge regarding languages, Khan became impressed with him and rendered him to provide invaluable services as the Khan's emissary and political adviser, (Jeffrey Hays, 2008). Description that was made by Marco Polo about his travel made Medieval Europe in the Orient to be interested; also it inspired Christopher Columbus to find out a Western sea route that brought the discovery of America.

Since Marco was the Kublai Khan favorite he governed busy Yangchow which was a city of that had more than 250,000 people for three years. Marco travelled on missions to various far empires such as Burma, Yunnan, Tibet, and Indochina. He brought back the stories of these lands and of the people. After a while the Polos became wealthy in Cathay. However, they started having fear that jealous men within the court might decide to destroy them after the death of Khan, and they presented their request to return to Venice.

Kublai Khan refused but when an envoy from the Khan of Persia arrived and asked for a young Mongol prince to be his bride. The suggestion of the Polos was that the princess journey required a heavy protection that could only be done by men of experience and rank. They also indicated that the mission would make them visit Venice as they desired before. Khan agreed to their request.

A Great battle started when Marco Polo accompanied Kublai Khan and his army in 1287 with intention of destroying forces of his rival Nayan and Khan's uncle. Having intention of wresting power from his nephew, Nayan had established an army of 300,000. Upon relayed the impending threat, Kublai, very fast, moved to the north at the head of a force of a bout 460,000 troops that surprised the usurper, where with his army they lay encamped in a shallow valley.

As the day came, the Khan and the entire host had positioned themselves upon a hill overlooking towards the plain where the secured tent of Nayan was laying, and they were not aware of the impending attack that was about to befall them. He had developed confidence that he never kept vedettes in front or in rear as he never thought of any arrival of the Great Khan, Nayan also considered the place to be in a remote wilderness about 30 marches from the Court.

While on the hill the Khan had mounted a great wooden bartizan (like a wooden tower) reinforced by four well trained elephants, and he hoisted his standard over him that was high that it could be seen from all sides. Khan troops were released to the battle with 30,000 men apiece, at the same time a great part of the horsemen accompanied each of them with a foot-soldier armed behind them with a lance set on the crupper behind him.

Releasing foot-men made the entire plain to seem covered with Khan Forces. On seeing what had happened how they were sorely confounded, Nayan and his solders dashed to reach their arms. In spite of this they managed to get ready in good style forming their troops as required. In the battle array sounds of instruments could be heard from allover as this was the custom of the Tartars requiring them to unite in singing and playing a two-stringed instrument of theirs before joining the battle.

Immediately the sound of the great Naccara (giant battle drum) of the Prince was heard the battle began on both sides. It became the most parlous, fierce and fearful battle that had ever been fought in that era. Moreover the forces that spread in the field in the actual fight could not be compared to any other, more so the horsemen which were about 760,000 forming a mighty force, not forgetting the numerous existed footmen. The battle was on from morning until noon as the both sides engaging each other.

Nevertheless, at the end of it the Great Khan emerged victorious while Nayan lost the war and they were utterly routed, (Morris Rossabi, 2004). The.