Question

Why was trade so significant to the Mongols?

Answer 1

The Mongols were an ethno-linguistic group of Northern and Central Asia. This region of the world experiences very harsh climate, with long winters and very short dry summers. Such a climatic condition did not favour agriculture. Thus, the Mongols resorted to pastoralism and hunting for their living.

The Mongols recognised that the shortage of agricultural products could only be replenished by trading. Thus, trading links were established with the sedentary farming people for procuring vegetables and cereals in exchange of animal products.

Thus, it can be said that trade was very significant to the Mongols, as it helped them to procure all essential agricultural yields, the production of which was impossible in the extreme climatic conditions of Central Asia.