The “Altan Argamj” [Golden Tether] Policy in Pursuit of Peace
Chinggis Khaan was a great diplomat who laid the foundation for the foreign diplomacy of the Great Mongol State, which was further developed and expanded during the reigns of Ogedei, Guyuk, and Mongke Khaans.
Many of the campaigns led by Chinggis Khaan were not driven by a policy of conquest and aggression, as misrepresented by the ideological histories of the past century. Instead, these campaigns stemmed from his principle of seeking unity, proposing that foreign entities either submit to his rule, join the ranks of his left and right hands, or pay tribute without bloodshed. The refusal of these peaceful terms often led to conflict. This approach was closely tied to the fact that Chinggis Khaan, having faced many hardships from a young age and having experienced the full consequences of war, understood that resolving issues through force inflicted severe economic harm. He came to appreciate the wisdom of governing through knowledge and insight rather than brute force. His worldview was encapsulated in the saying, “One may defeat an individual through physical strength, but a thousand through the strength of wisdom.” The Great Khaan adhered firmly to the principle “When you captive the heart, the body will follow,” and prioritized resolving matters through dialogue and negotiation.
Chinggis Khaan also established a diplomatic culture between neighboring and distant nations, wherein neither party negated the other’s culture or customs, and relations were conducted with fairness and sincerity. This diplomatic policy was referred to as the “Altan Argamj”, the policy of Golden Tether.
Contrary to seeking revenge against those who opposed him, Chinggis Khaan did not resort to retaliation by military means. For example, when Mongol envoys were killed in Korea during a campaign in the Sartul State in 1225, Chinggis Khaan did not retaliate by invading Korea. Instead, he sought peaceful means of communication to avoid escalating tensions between the two nations. Russian historian, world renowned Mongolist Lev Gumilev concluded, “Upon reviewing historical events, it became evident that the Mongol campaigns were defensive in nature. The Mongols were constantly provoked, leaving them no choice but to defend themselves, which is why they fought back fiercely and ultimately emerged victorious”.
During his internal campaigns to unite the felt-walled tribes, Chinggis Khaan pursued a strategy of securing peaceful relations without bloodshed by offering his daughters and female relatives in marriage to the leaders of nations that accepted his demands. For example, Chinggis Khaan gave his younger sister Temulun Gua and his eldest daughter Khojin Beki to Butu, leader of the Ikhirit tribe. His second daughter, Checheikhen, was married to Inalchi, son of Khutuga Bekhi, leader of the forest tribes.
Chinggis Khaan’s peaceful policies, aimed at establishing a world without war and conflict, brought immense benefits to humanity, and remained valuable across time. This profound sentiment, embedded in these words, later became known as the “Pax Mongolica” and has endured through centuries, continuing to inspire humanity’s quest for peaceful coexistence.