The Mongolian yurt is no camping tent but a veritable mobile home – latch it to several horses as the locals do and you might almost call it an RV!
Yurts are much more complicated compared to the Native teepee (also spelled “tipi” nowadays) more acquainted to most Americans, but could be set up in mere minutes: under ten, typically – causing them to be similar to a camping tent in this respect!
They are larger than teepees and house several bits of full-sized furniture, yet with sufficient manpower (normally a family of ten or so folks) they are quickly set up and can be just as quickly packed up.
The power of the ancient Mongolian empires is usually attributed to their quick and hardy horses, and the people’s intimate relationship with them.
But a case can be made that their yurts were also a contributing factor, perhaps secondary in importance but deserving the popularity of a top-five placement nonetheless.
Far from being a thin camping tent, the yurt was a true home for these wandering warriors of fortune, who followed treasure and adventure to create a history like no other in the world.
All things considered, though the ponies helped them ride for a while, it was the yurt that provided housing for their assistance – wives, families, and non-fighters who brought them the necessary supplies.
Unlike the cities to which the Mongol warriors laid siege, their own homes were safely far behind, and the absolute mobility the yurt provided became a great tactical along with strategic advantage.
The Mongols did not come by their empire as a result of fear and terror alone, regardless of their historical reputation.
As much as their steeds and yurts helped them conquer, so too did a relatively enlightened hands-off policy help them maintain their holdings.
Subject towns, cities, and whole countries had but to acknowledge Mongol suzerainty, in effect having to pay a regular tribute, and were largely left alone to otherwise continue their relationships in pretty much the same fashion as before.