| Date | November 2019 | Marks available | 4 | Reference code | 19N.1.BP.TZ0.2 |
| Level | Both SL and HL | Paper | Paper 1 - first exams 2017 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | Analyse | Question number | 2 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The sources and questions relate to case study 1: Genghis Khan (c1200–1227) — Impact: Political impact: administration; overthrowing of existing ruling systems; establishment of Mongol law/Yassa; move towards meritocracy.
Source D
‘Ala-ad-Din ‘Ata-Malik Juvaini, a Muslim historian, writing in the non-contemporary chronicle History of the World Conqueror (mid to late 13th century).
[Genghis Khan] established a rule for every occasion and a regulation for every circumstance; while for every crime he fixed a penalty. And since the Tartar peoples had no script of their own, he gave orders that Mongol children should learn writing from the Uighur [a Muslim minority ethnic group]; and that these Yasas [Yassas] and ordinances should be written down on rolls. These rolls are called the Great Book of Yasas and are kept in the treasury of the chief princes. Wherever a khan ascends the throne, or a great army is mobilized, or the princes assemble ... concerning affairs of state and the administration thereof, they produce these rolls and model their actions thereon; and proceed with the disposition [deployment] of armies or the destruction of provinces and cities in the manner therein prescribed.
[Source: ‘Ala-Ad-Din ‘Ata-Malik Juvaini, Genghis Khan: The History Of The World Conqueror, translated from the text of Mizra
Muhammad Qazvini by J. A. Boyle, UNESCO Publishing and Manchester University Press, 1997. 2004, p. 25]
With reference to its origin, purpose and content, analyse the value and limitations of Source D for an historian studying the role of Genghis Khan in establishing the Yassa.
Markscheme
Value:
- It provides a mid to late 13th century perspective on Mongol history from a Muslim historian.
- As it intends to give a history of Ghengis Khan’s rule it can examine the significance of his role in establishing the Yassa in a broader context
- It reveals that Genghis Khan had successfully established and codified the Yassa.
Limitations:
- Because of the broad nature of the chronicle, treatment of the establishment of the Yassa may be limited.
- As an historian who lived in the 13th century, Juvaini had limited access to reliable sources.
- The title of the chronicle [History of the World Conqueror] may suggest that Genghis Khan’s role in the establishment of the Yassa could have been exaggerated.
The focus of the question is on the value and limitations of the source. If only value or limitations are discussed, award a maximum of [2]. Origins, purpose and content should be used as supporting evidence to make relevant comments on the values and limitations. For [4] there must be at least one reference to each of them in either the values or the limitations.
