How did the Yuan dynasty differ from the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde? (1 point)
• The Yuan dynasty never converted to Islam.
• The Yuan dynasty was intolerant of non-Mongol religions.
The Yuan dynasty relied on maritime trade for commerce
• The Yuan dynasty did not adopt cultural customs of people they conquered.
The Yuan dynasty differed from the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde in several ways:
1. Religion: Unlike the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde, the Yuan dynasty never converted to Islam. The Ilkhanate and Golden Horde were both predominantly Islamic, with the rulers and much of the population embracing the religion. In contrast, the Yuan dynasty was initially established by the Mongols, who practiced a form of Shamanism, and later, under Kublai Khan's rule, it adopted Tibetan Buddhism as the state religion.
2. Religious tolerance: While it is true that the Yuan dynasty was intolerant of non-Mongol religions, the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde displayed a relatively high degree of religious tolerance. The Ilkhanate, especially under the rule of Ghazan Khan, embraced Islam but allowed religious diversity within its domains, including Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism. The Golden Horde also allowed for the coexistence of various religions, including Islam, Christianity, and paganism, within its territories.
3. Trade reliance: The Yuan dynasty heavily relied on maritime trade for commerce, particularly through the Indian Ocean routes. Under Kublai Khan's rule, the dynasty established the Mongol Empire's first formalized trade network, known as the Pax Mongolica, which facilitated extensive trade between East Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. In contrast, the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde were primarily land-based empires, with trade being conducted overland through the Silk Road and other trade routes.
4. Cultural assimilation: The Yuan dynasty exhibited a different approach to cultural customs compared to the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde. While the latter two empires often adopted elements of the local cultures they conquered, the Yuan dynasty maintained a distinct Mongol identity and did not actively assimilate or adopt the cultural customs of the Chinese people they ruled. However, it is worth noting that Kublai Khan did employ Chinese administrators and adopted some Chinese bureaucratic practices, albeit within the framework of Mongol control.