How did the Yuan dynasty differ from the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde

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.

3 answers

The Yuan dynasty differed from the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde in several ways:

1. Conversion to Islam: While the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde were both Mongol Khanates that converted to Islam, the Yuan dynasty, established by the Mongols in China, did not adopt Islam as its official religion. Instead, the Mongol rulers of the Yuan dynasty practiced a form of Shamanism, with some later embracing Buddhist and Daoist beliefs.

2. Religious tolerance: Unlike the Yuan dynasty, which was known for its religious tolerance, the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde were relatively intolerant of non-Muslim religions. The Ilkhanate, located in Persia (modern-day Iran), embraced Islam as its official religion and often imposed it upon conquered territories. The Golden Horde, ruling over present-day Russia and parts of Eastern Europe, also placed great importance on Islam but allowed the practice of other religions to some extent.

3. Commerce and trade: While the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde relied heavily on overland trade routes such as the Silk Road, the Yuan dynasty established and maintained a vast maritime trading network. Through their control of China's coastal regions, the Yuan rulers fostered extensive trade relations with other maritime powers in Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East, expanding economic opportunities and cultural exchanges.

4. Cultural assimilation: Unlike the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde, the Yuan dynasty actively adopted and incorporated many aspects of the culture and customs of the people they conquered. They supported and patronized Chinese arts, literature, and traditions, and even incorporated Chinese governmental systems into their administration. This cultural assimilation was a stark departure from the policies of the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde, which retained a more separate and distinct Mongol identity.
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Sure! Let's focus on the religious differences between the Yuan dynasty and the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde.

The Yuan dynasty differed from the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde in terms of religious conversion. While the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde both converted to Islam, the Yuan dynasty did not adopt Islam as its official religion. Instead, the Mongol rulers of the Yuan dynasty practiced a form of Shamanism, with some later embracing Buddhist and Daoist beliefs. Hence, the absence of conversion to Islam sets the Yuan dynasty apart from the Ilkhanate and Golden Horde in terms of religious affiliation.