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History of Mongolia
Timeline States Rulers Nobility Culture Politics Geography Language Religion
Prehistoric period Afanasievo culture 3300–2500 BC Chemurchek culture 2750–1900 BC Munkhkhairkhan culture 1800–1600 BC Sagsai culture 1500–1000 BC Ulaanzuukh culture 1450–1150 BC Deer stones culture 1400–700 BC Slab-grave culture 1100–300 BC Chandman culture 700–300 BC Pazyryk culture 600–300 BC
Ancient period Xiongnu 209 BC–93 AD Xianbei state 93–234 Rouran Khaganate 330–555 Göktürks (First, Eastern, and Second Turkic Khaganates) 555–630 682–744 Xueyantuo 628–646 Tang protectorate 647–682 Uyghur Khaganate 744–840 Liao dynasty 907–1125
Medieval period Mongol khanates 9th–12th century Khamag Mongol 1130–1206 Mongol Empire 1206–1368 Yuan dynasty 1271–1368 Northern Yuan 1368–1635 Oirat Confederation 1399–1634 Dzungar Khanate 1634–1757 Qing dynasty 1691–1911
Modern period National Revolution 1911 Bogd Khaganate 1911–1919 Chinese occupation 1919–1921 People's Revolution (Soviet intervention in Bogd Khanate) 1921 1921–1924 People's Republic 1924–1992 Democratic Revolution 1990 Modern Mongolia 1990–present
v t e

Mongolia under Tang rule established a foundation for cultural and trading relationships which will continue to evolve for centuries.

In the 7th to 8th centuries, the Tang Dynasty Chinese expanded across large areas of the steppes of Central Asia; but their warfare was not unopposed.

In serial wars of expansion, the Chinese confronted the Mongols and the proto-Mongolic Gokturks and Khitans.

Tea-for-horses trading system

When the Chinese came in contact with the nomadic tribes of the western steppes, the use of horses in warfare was soon appreciated. Mounted archers represented an initial tactical advantage over Chinese armies, the Chinese learned to adapt. Conservative forces opposed change, which affected the proportional balance amongst cavalrymen, horse-drawn chariots and infantrymen in Chinese armies.

Horses and skilled horsemen were often in short supply in agrarian China, and cavalry were a distinct minority in most Tang Dynasty (618–907) armies. The Imperial herds numbered 325,700 horses in 794

The Chinese army lacked a sufficient number of good quality horses. Importation was the only remedy but the only potential suppliers were the steppe-nomads. The strategic factor considered most essential in warfare was controlled exclusively by the merchant-traders of the most likely enemies.

The Chinese armies came to rely on an officially supervised tea-for-horse trading systems which had evolved over centuries. Tea and horses were so inextricably related that officials repeatedly requested that the tea laws and the horse administration he supervised by the same man. From the perspective of the Chinese court, government control of tea was the first step in the creation of a rational and effective policy aimed at improving the quality of horses in the army."

See also

• Horses in East Asian warfare
• Military history of China
• Protectorate General to Pacify the West

Notes

1. Perdue, Peter. (2005). China Marches West, pp. 36-52.
2. Graff, David Andrew. (2002). Medieval Chinese Warfare, 300-900, p. 22.
3. Graff, p. 28.
4. Ellis, John. (2004). Cavalry: The History of Mounted Warfare, pp. 19-20.
5. Graff, p. 176.
6. Graff, p. 228.
7. ^ Sinor, Denis. "Horse and Pasture in Inner Asian history," Oriens Extremus, Vol. 19, No. 1-2 (1972), pp. 171-183.
8. Perdue, Peter. (2005). China Marches West, pp. 36-52.

References

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  - Mongolia

• Tang Dynasty
• Mongolia