17. Temujin Brought Organization to the Steppe
Chinggis’ men practiced individual archery and horsemanship skills almost daily, and trained constantly to master unit tactics. The learned maneuvers, formation changes, rotations, advances, retreats, and massed archery, until they became second nature. Chinggis further revolutionized Steppe warfare by placing his warriors in a well-organized hierarchical structure, with an effective chain of command. In place of the traditional ad hoc tribal units, based on kinship groups, he created a military organization based on decimals, with a hierarchy of ranks. At the base were squads of 10 men, known as an Arbans. 10 Arbans were combined into a company of 100, known as a Zuun. 10 Zuuns made a regiment of 1000, known as a Minghan. 10 Minghans were formed into a division of 10,000, known as a Tuman. Two or more Tumans were formed into armies. A separate imperial guard of 10,000 men protected Chinggis and prominent Mongol figures.
