NCERT Solutions for Class 11 History Chapter 3: Nomadic Empires

1. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

1. Why was trade so significant to the Mongols?

Answer: Trade was vital to the Mongols because their steppe environment could not provide all necessary goods. They relied on trade to obtain grains, textiles, and luxury items from neighbouring settled regions, making it a primary source of wealth and a means to strengthen their empire’s economy.

2. Why did Genghis Khan feel the need to fragment the Mongol tribes into new social and military groupings?

Answer: Genghis Khan fragmented the Mongol tribes into new groups to break traditional tribal loyalties and affiliations. This reorganization helped create a unified, loyal army and society directly answerable to him, enhancing cohesion, discipline, and strength within the Mongol Empire.

3. How do later Mongol reflections on the yasa bring out the uneasy relationship they had with the memory of Genghis Khan?

Answer: Later Mongols honoured the yasa as Genghis Khan’s law code but often adapted or interpreted it according to their needs. This reveals a complex relationship—while respecting Genghis Khan’s authority, they also struggled to balance his legacy with evolving social and political realities.

2. Answer the following questions in about 150 words.

1. Sketch the social and political organisation of the nomadic pastoralist tribes in the steppes.

Answer: The nomadic pastoralist tribes of the steppes were organized into clans and lineages, with each clan led by a chief. Society was patriarchal, and the eldest male played a key role in decision-making. The tribes lived in extended family groups. They were skilled horsemen and archers, moving seasonally with their herds of animals in search of pasture and water. Political leadership depended upon success in warfare and negotiation abilities. Inter-tribal alliances were often cemented through marriages. Leadership required securing consensus among nobles, especially through assemblies known as kurultai. Social differences existed based on wealth, especially the ownership of livestock. Close-knit communities valued bravery, loyalty, and resourcefulness. A khan could lead a tribe or a confederation of tribes, but authority remained collective, often dependent on the support of other leading figures within the nomadic groups.

2. Discuss the reasons why the Mongols succeeded in building a vast empire.

Answer: The Mongols succeeded in building a vast empire due to their strong military organisation, skilled use of cavalry, and effective leadership under Genghis Khan. Their army was divided into units for greater mobility and discipline, and their superior tactics, including feigned retreats and psychological warfare, gave them a strategic advantage. The Mongols also fostered unity by breaking old tribal structures, ensuring direct loyalty to their khan. Strict discipline, merit-based promotions, and gathering intelligence through spies contributed to their victories. Moreover, their policy of religious tolerance and integration of conquered peoples helped stabilise their rule. The Mongols’ capacity to rapidly adapt to varied terrains and adopt new military technologies from conquered cultures enabled their continued expansion. Trade and tribute systems further enriched the empire, facilitating sustained growth and consolidation across vast regions.

3. How did the Mongol conquest of China differ from their campaigns in the western regions?

Answer: The Mongol conquest of China involved gradual expansion and prolonged siege warfare, culminating in the establishment of a stable Yuan Dynasty. They adopted administrative practices and technology from the Chinese to govern the settled and densely populated society. In contrast, campaigns in the western regions like Persia and the Middle East were marked by rapid, destructive invasions, swift conquests, and the establishment of smaller Mongol khanates. There, the Mongols often relied on local rulers for governance and did not always directly implement their own administration. While military strategy was formidable in both cases, approaches to rule and integration after conquest differed significantly between China and the western regions.

4. Match the following.

5. Map Skills

• On an outline map of Asia, locate and label major Mongol Empire conquests such as Karakorum, Beijing, Samarkand, Bukhara, Baghdad, and Moscow.

Understanding Nomadic Empires and Mongol Power

The chapter on Nomadic Empires in Class 11 History highlights how Mongol leadership, especially under Genghis Khan, transformed scattered tribes into a powerful and united force that changed the history of Eurasia.

By focusing on the social structure and political strategies of the steppe societies, students learn how unity, discipline, and military innovations enabled the Mongols to conquer vast territories swiftly and maintain their rule.

For a strong preparation in your Class 11 History exams, review the factual points and practice mapping Mongol expansion. Grasping these concepts will help you score higher and retain knowledge for future competitive exams.