Boghol, a category of submission at the Mongols
Boghol, a category of submission at the Mongols

Summary/Abstract: The corporative ownership of power was a characteristic feature of Mongol society, connected with the legitimation of the privileged position of the Golden Clan, the Borjigin to which Chinggis Khan belonged. Those who were not members of the clan of Chinggis Khan and his direct descendants, were included into the Mongol Ulus, and as such were subjects of the Golden Clan. Power and authority relationships were expressed, in the lack of a developed administrative apparatus, through the system of blood relationships and a special terminology. Chinggis Khan’s conquests of the neighbouring polities changed their political status and necessitated the formation of new mechanisms for legitimising Mongol power. A new institution designated by the term boghol served as a mechanism of socio-political integration. The use of this term verified the formation of the new super-tribal and trans-territorial socio-political structure tending to universalise the world. The term boghol was used for representatives of other tribes, and also for the members of Chinggis Khan’s genealogical group, when both entered the confederation headed by him. Thus, this term marked their submission to Chinggis Khan and his clan. Terming of some groups and polities with boghol was, probably, the means to mark new relations (charismatic way of power legitimation) that was replacing the previous one based on genealogy.

• Details
• Contents