The Mongol Empire in Global History and Art History

The Mongol Empire is now widely seen as a fundamental watershed in global and art history, reconfiguring Eurasian trade and contact and creating new objects and visual languages. This book explores the Mongol impact and their modern role, addressing questions about what was changed and what were its lasting legacies. Contributors include specialists in Mongol history, historiography, Islamic, East Asian, and European art.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 308 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2023
Publisher: Harvard University Press

The Mongol Empire has emerged as a pivotal epoch in the realm of global and art history, owing to the proliferation of projects aimed at constructing comprehensive narratives of both realms. In the later thirteenth century, the Mongol states underwent a significant reconfiguration of the fundamental zones of Eurasian trade and contact. This transformation had profound implications for both the conquered populations and those who would eventually overthrow the Mongol empire. Consequently, a need arose for new histories and narratives to account for the unprecedented rise of the Mongols. As people, ideas, and commodities traversed these vast and interconnected spaces, new forms of objects and visual languages emerged, reshaping older patterns of artistic production. The Mongol rise is often heralded as the earliest manifestation of early modernity, characterized by an ever-increasing acceleration in systems of contact, exchange, and cultural collision.

However, the significance of framing the so-called Pax Mongolica in this manner warrants further exploration. What were the lasting legacies of the Mongol ascendancy, and what changes did it bring about? This book seeks to address these critical questions and make these debates more accessible to a broader audience. Contributors, drawn from diverse fields such as Mongol history, historiography, Islamic, East Asian, and European art, offer their insights on a wide range of topics, spanning from historical chronicles to contemporary historiography and case studies encompassing textile production, mapmaking, and historical linguistics.

The Mongol Empire's impact on global history cannot be overstated. Its vast territorial expansion, facilitated by advanced military technology and organizational skills, facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural practices across vast distances. The empire's embrace of multiculturalism and religious tolerance also played a significant role in promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding. Moreover, the Mongol empire's influence extended beyond its borders, as it facilitated the spread of Islam to Central Asia and the Middle East and contributed to the development of trade networks that linked Europe, Asia, and Africa.

In the realm of art history, the Mongol empire also left a lasting legacy. The empire's patronage of the arts, particularly during the reign of Kublai Khan, led to the creation of some of the most magnificent works of art in history. The empire's capital, Beijing, became a center of artistic excellence, with the construction of grand palaces, temples, and gardens that showcased the finest craftsmanship and architectural styles of the time. The Mongol influence on art can also be seen in the development of new artistic techniques and styles, such as the use of calligraphy and the incorporation of Persian and Islamic elements into Chinese art.

However, it is important to note that the Mongol empire's impact was not without its challenges. The empire's expansionist policies led to the displacement and devastation of countless populations, and its rule was often characterized by brutality and oppression. The empire's impact on indigenous cultures and languages was also significant, as many were forced to adopt Mongol customs and languages or face assimilation.

In conclusion, the Mongol Empire's rise has had a profound and lasting impact on global and art history. Its reconfiguration of trade and contact zones, promotion of multiculturalism and religious tolerance, and facilitation of intercultural dialogue have shaped the course of history in numerous ways. The empire's patronage of the arts has also left a lasting legacy, with magnificent works of art created in its capital, Beijing. However, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges and complexities of the Mongol empire's rule and its impact on indigenous cultures and languages. By exploring these issues, we can better understand the enduring significance of the Mongol empire in shaping our world today.

Weight: 806g
Dimension: 171 x 240 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674279162