Description

The Mongols were a warrior society. All males in Mongolia were expected to be members of the Mongol army.
The training of youths in horsemanship, archery and competency in the use of sword and spear was part of their education. The principle weapon of the Mongols was their skill in the use of the composite bow.
As Genghis Khan’s empire grew the Mongol army grew in size but was decreasingly
Mongol in an ethnic sense. The Turco-Mongol units of Urghurs, Kirghiz and other
Ural-Altaic tribes became major elements of the great host.
At the summit of the military pyramid were the members of Genghis Khan’s family. Beneath them were the aristocracy of the Mongol clans.
A small part of this Mongol army were the ten thousand strong Mongol professionals, the Khan’s Guardsmen. These highly skilled, dedicated and seasoned warriors protected the Khan.
The Guardsmen ranked above other members of the army and most of the Khan’s generals were selected from this elite group.
The Guardsmen continued to serve the Khakhan through the reign of Kublai Khan.