James Middleton

HIST 313: Environmental History

Prof. James Gustafson

January 26, 2024

A Comparative Analysis of Mongol Leadership through Juvaini and Rashid al-Din's

Perspectives

The historical works of Juvaini and Rashid al-Din provide valuable information on

various aspects of the Mongol Empire, focusing on the reigns of Genghis Khan and that of

his government respectively. While Juvaini reported on the Mongol army and the virtues of

Genghis Khan, Rashid al-Din focused on administrative policies and anecdotes that

highlighted Ogedei Qa'an's character. This comparative analysis will explore how the two

authors express and emphasize distinct themes in their texts, demonstrating the military might

of the Mongols and the guiding principles of their empire. Although Juvaini and Rashid al-

Din sources contribute to our understanding of the Mongol Empire, they differ in emphasis,

with Juvaini emphasizing military power and virtues of Genghis Khan, while Rashid al-Din

provides an overview of the administrative mechanisms and style that governed the then

empire. Specifically, this essay will shed light on Ogedei Qa'an's policies and character as

well as any differences in perspective. The variations derived from the author's perspective

and the context in which he wrote, will provide a nuanced view of the Mongol Empire.

Military Power – Juvaini's Perspective

Juvaini, in “Genghis Khan: History of the World Conqueror”, painted a vivid picture

of the Mongol army and military structure, emphasizing its unprecedented power and

effectiveness. The author describes the Mongols as ferocious on the battlefield, comparing
them to “trained wild animals. Juvaini portrays Genghis Khan as a bold and strategic leader

who united disparate tribes into a formidable force capable of conquering vast territories.

History highlights the military prowess of the Mongols in war and peace. Through Genghis

Khan, the empire was feared because of its capability. They were able to fight successfully

and defeat their enemies. Basically, Juvaini's portrayal of Ögedei emphasizes his martial

prowess and strategic genius. He described the Mongol army as "trained wild beasts" under

Ögedei's command, emphasizing their ferocity and effectiveness in combat. Juvaini also

mentions Ögedei's decisive and ruthless personality, as evidenced by his reaction to the Oirat

rebellion. This harsh treatment recalls the Mongols' formidable reputation and the

consequences of challenging their power.

Administrative Policy – Rashid al-Din's Perspective

In contrast, Rashid al-Din, in his work on the Mongolian government, shifted the

focus from exploitation military to administrative policies. It provides anecdotes about

Ogedei Qa'an's reign, illustrating his generosity, tax reform, and justice. The passages

describe examples of Ogedei Qa'an dealing with social and economic issues, depicting a ruler

concerned with the welfare of his subjects. This perspective gives the reader insight into the

administrative climate that sustained the Mongol Empire. Specifically, Ogedei Qa'an is

depicted as someone who had a heart for the people. He tried as much as possible to ensure

that the welfare of the people is prioritized. His leadership style appears to be people-

centered. Essentially, Rashid al-Din presents an image of a fair ruler, emphasizing Ögedei's

traits as a righteous and intelligent man. He recounts tales that highlight Ögedei's

magnanimity, such the one about the wrestler who captured a wolf and the father with 10

daughters. These tales demonstrate Ögedei's care for his subjects' welfare and his readiness to

act kindly and compassionately. Rashid al-Din also underlined Ögedei's reforms and
dedication to maintaining justice, as well as his determination to creating a reasonable and

efficient judicial system.

Characterization of Mongol leaders

Juvaini and Rashid al-Din both contributed significantly to how readers see Mongol

leaders. They painted vivid pictures of the leaders although they might have been biased in

some instances. Juvaini emphasizes Genghis Khan's virtues, describing his generosity,

benevolence, and strategic sense. In contrast, Rashid al-Din's passages highlight Ogedei

Qa'an's multifaceted personality, displaying moments of generosity, severity, and anger. These

characteristics were intended to humanize the Mongol leaders and provide insight into their

leadership style. Therefore, the readers can get a sense of reality in the story as opposed to the

feeling of fantasy as seen in legends. Readers can picture Mongol leaders as ordinary humans

with weaknesses and strengths. The divergent viewpoints present in Juvaini and Rashid al-

Din's differing interpretations of Ogedei Qa'an might be attributed to their varied goals and

points of view. As a foreigner subjugated by the Mongols, Juvaini naturally concentrates on

the Mongols' extreme military might and atrocities. His image serves as a cautionary tale

about the risks of defying the Mongols and their brutality. Rashid al-Din, on the other hand,

wrote as a Mongol with the intention of promoting and legitimizing the dynasty. He

highlighted Ögedei's virtues, such his altruism and dedication to justice, in order to present

the Mongols as good and capable rulers.

Conclusion

In summary, Juvaini and Rashid al-Din offer complementary perspectives on the

Mongol Empire, with Juvaini emphasizing military strength and virtue, while Rashid al-Din

examines political, administrative policies and characteristics of Mongol leaders. The striking

differences reflect different aspects of the Mongol Empire, presenting a comprehensive view
of its military power and guiding principles. Although both acknowledged Ögedei's power,

different priorities and perspectives shaped their stories, Juvaini reminds readers of the

formidable military might of the Mongols and the consequences of challenging their

authority, while Rashid al-Din seeks to legitimize and glorify the dynasty by demonstrating

his skill and abilities, Ögedei management and commitment to justice.Together, these primary

sources contribute to a richer understanding of one of history's most influential empires.

Though the lenses of these two writers, readers are able to take a step back into history and

see life as it was during their times.

References

Juvaini, Genghis Khan: History of the World Conqueror

Rashid al-Din, Mongol Government