niaz
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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If you come from a harsh land such as Central Asia, apart from the ability to endure physical hardships such as living on meagre rations for lengthy periods; you also acquire certain hunting skills which are very useful in war. The annual hunt where all the people of the tribe gathered to drive the prey into a limited area where it could be slaughtered for winter supplied made it necessary for every male child to able to ride and shoot from the horse back with near perfection.
Additionally, tough life of the steppes inculcated two essential qualities of a warrior. All those who helped the leader were rewarded generously and all those who opposed were ruthlessly crushed. This ruthless streak, though barbaric, was necessary for discipline and ensuring loyalty.
In my humble opinion, these qualities were what made the Steppe nomad, be it Mongol, Tartar, Turk or Turkmen; virtually unbeatable when confronted by the soldiers of the agricultural land of Iran, India and Europe. Besides their main weapons, bow & arrow were superior to that used by their opponents.
However, this superiority ended with the introduction of hand held guns and use of modern artillery on the battle field. Since then it is technology more than individual bravery that ruled the battlefield.
Additionally, tough life of the steppes inculcated two essential qualities of a warrior. All those who helped the leader were rewarded generously and all those who opposed were ruthlessly crushed. This ruthless streak, though barbaric, was necessary for discipline and ensuring loyalty.
In my humble opinion, these qualities were what made the Steppe nomad, be it Mongol, Tartar, Turk or Turkmen; virtually unbeatable when confronted by the soldiers of the agricultural land of Iran, India and Europe. Besides their main weapons, bow & arrow were superior to that used by their opponents.
However, this superiority ended with the introduction of hand held guns and use of modern artillery on the battle field. Since then it is technology more than individual bravery that ruled the battlefield.
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