Start here · Essential guide
Early Steppe Peoples and Empires Before the Mongols
A plain survey of the nomadic confederations that ruled the Mongolian steppe before Genghis Khan, from the Xiongnu to the Turks, Uyghurs and Khitan.
People and Culture
Steppe Peoples and Dynasties
Peoples, states and turning points before and after the Mongol Empire.
Ethnic Groups of Mongolia
Who lives in Mongolia: the Khalkha majority, Oirat-speaking groups, Buryats, Kazakhs, Tuvans and others, with notes on language and where each community lives.
Independence in 1911 and the Bogd Khan Era
How Mongolia declared independence from the Qing in December 1911 and lived under a Buddhist theocratic monarchy led by the Bogd Khan until 1924.
Mongolia Under Qing Rule
How the Qing dynasty governed Mongolia from the late 1600s to 1911: banners, princes, Buddhist monasteries, trade restrictions and the lasting social effects.
The Democratic Revolution of 1990
How Mongolia moved peacefully from one-party socialism to multi-party politics and a market economy in 1990, and what followed in the early years.
The Khitan and Uyghur Eras on the Steppe
How the Uyghur khaganate and the Khitan Liao dynasty shaped Mongolia between the eighth and twelfth centuries, and what ruins and influences they left behind.
The Secret History of the Mongols
What the Secret History of the Mongols is, how it survived in Chinese transcription, what it tells us about Genghis Khan, and how historians weigh its claims.
The Xiongnu and Early Nomadic Confederations
What is generally known about the Xiongnu, the first great steppe power to rival China, how it was organized, and why so many details remain debated.
The Yam Postal System and Silk Road Trade
How the Mongol Empire's yam relay network moved messengers, officials and merchants across Eurasia, and how it supported Silk Road trade.
The Yuan Dynasty and Mongol Rule in China
How Kublai Khan founded the Yuan dynasty, how the Mongols governed China from 1271 to 1368, and what happened to Mongol rulers after the dynasty fell.
Turkic Khaganates and the Orkhon Inscriptions
The Turkic khaganates of the sixth to eighth centuries and the carved stone monuments in Mongolia's Orkhon Valley, among the oldest Turkic writing known.
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More in people and culture
Nomadic Culture Herding life, the ger and the customs of the steppe. History and Heritage From early steppe peoples to the Mongol Empire and modern Mongolia. Food and Drink Traditional dishes, dairy, tea and meals as guests. Festivals and Traditions Naadam, the Lunar New Year, music, art and spiritual life. Traditional Crafts and Arts Handmade objects, music, clothing and artistic traditions. Language and Everyday Life How people speak, live, work and celebrate day to day. Traditional Sports and Games Wrestling, archery, horse racing and the games families play.