The Mongols were a nomadic people who established an empire in the 13th century that spanned from Eastern Europe to the Pacific Ocean. They were a powerful force that built their empire through conquest and war. One of their most significant battles was the Battle of the Kalka River in 1223, which demonstrated the Mongol army's endurance and solidified their position as a dominant force in the region. Their endurance was key in the Mongol army's ability to prevail at the Battle of the Kalka River. The Mongols could sustain their attacks for a considerable amount of time, wearing out their adversaries and ultimately accomplishing their goal, despite being outnumbered and dealing with unfavorable weather. The Battle of the Kalka River was a pivotal …show more content…
The Mongols employed psychological tricks to subdue their adversaries. Depending on the circumstance, they would frequently transition between cavalry and infantry. They were renowned for their ability to fight under difficult circumstances, such as the bitter cold of winter. The Mongols also excelled at horseback combat and had the speed to cover great distances. They frequently employed hit-and-run strategies, striking quickly and fleeing before the opposition could launch a response. The Mongols were renowned for their mobile strategy but could besiege forts and cities. They would employ various strategies, including constructing siege engines, mining tunnels beneath walls, and employing gunpowder to breach defenses. The Secret History of the Mongols, the eldest surviving literature in the Mongolian language, describes the role of endurance in the Mongol army’s success in warfare when the author writes, "The Mongol warriors' ability to withstand hunger, thirst, and extreme weather conditions allowed them to maintain their strength and fighting prowess even after long marches and extended sieges, giving them a strategic advantage over their opponents in prolonged conflicts.”(Anonymous Chapter 9) This is significant because the Mongol army was vastly outnumbered and faced unfavorable weather conditions during the battle of the Kalka river. They had …show more content…
Peter Jackson states, in his Book chapter The Mongols Westward Advance, further highlights the strength of the Mongol army, “The Mongols’ strength, in fact, lay principally not in numbers of men or mounts, but in their capacity to muster vital resources, their communications, their skill in reconnoitring the terrain, their discipline and their military planning.”(Jackson 86) The military planning conducted by the Mongol army allowed them to advance and surpass the others. Once again, proving that they were the most dominant force in the world. Similarly, in the book chapter from The Mongol Military. The author also illustrates their various military tactics and the amount of discipline required by the Mongol army. “Chinggis Khan refined traditional warfare by creating new formations and tactics that provided his armies distinct advantages over other nomads. The root of the system remained tied to traditional steppe warfare centred around horse archers, feigned retreats, arrow showers, and an emphasis on mobility and quick strikes. The new tactics and formations, however, relied on an increased discipline and training which also helped integrate the defeated nomads into the existing Mongol military units. Of particular importance was an emphasis on transitioning from one formation to another, thus providing the Mongols the ability to