The Mongols are known to have invented and popularized the world’s first diplomatic passport known as “Paiza/Paiza” under Genghis Khan during the 12-13th century which was carried by diplomats, nobles and officials to demand goods and services from civilian populations.
The Mongol Empire
The Mongols created the largest contiguous land empire in history, which stretched far across Eurasia at its greatest extent in 1279. The Mongol Empire emerged from the unification of several nomadic tribes in the Mongol homeland under the leadership of Genghis Khan, whom a council proclaimed ruler of all the Mongols in 1206.
The Great Genghis Khan, lived during the 13th century, the first king of Mongol empire, which conquered vast lands between Asia and Eastern Europe, amassed unbelievable wealth ($30 trillion) from looting and taxes, becoming the World’s first trillionaire.
The Mongol empire existed during the 13th and 14th centuries and was the largest land empire in history from the east to west, with Mongols invaded as far as Poland and Hungary into Europe. Before they could invade Vienna, the King Ögedei’s death brought halt to the invasion.
The Mongol empire at its peak in 1279 stretched from Asia to Europe. The Mongol Empire strengthened and re-established the Silk Road between 1207 and 1360 CE, allowing people of different religions to coexist. They allowed the merging of peoples and cultures from conquered territories. brought religious freedom throughout the empire.
Diplomatic Immunity
The Mongols were credited with establishing the concept of diplomatic immunity for envoys and ambassadors. Genghis Khan and the Mongols were well known for insisting on the rights of diplomats, and would often take terrifying vengeance against any state that violated these rights; at times razing entire cities in retaliation for the execution of their ambassadors. So much so, the Mongols invaded and obliterated the entire Khwarezmid Empire (modern day Iran, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, after their ambassadors were mistreated and killed, when diplomacy gone wrong.
Golden Paiza
During the 13th and 14th centuries, travelers and messengers used “geregee” or golden paiza as a passport or document on the Mongol yam or postal route. The geregee, or Golden Paiza, was one of the first documents to recognize diplomatic immunity and privileges. The material and shape of the geregee determined the traveler’s privileges, with better materials meaning more rights. Geregee were made of wood, bronze, silver, or gold. the geregee is one of the first universally recognized document entitling diplomatic immunity and privileges. It contributed to the development of norms and laws of diplomatic relations.
The Government of Mongolia presented the garage or golden paiza to the United Nations in 2020. Photo/Credit: https://www.un.org/ungifts/geregee-or-golden-paiza-chinggis-khan
Paiza or Paizi
The Paiza or Paizi were metal tablets inscribed in gold, silver, bronze with safe passage statements signify certain privileges to protect officials, merchants, messengers traveling in silk route.
Exhibit at Museum of Artifacts, Poland – Imperial Passport from Yuan dynasty c. 1240 AD – One of the two known Kublai Khan passport reads ” I am the emissary of the Khan. If you defy me, You die”.
The Paizi served as a sort of 13th century diplomatic passport to allow the holder free passage and access to supplies through the territory controlled by the Mongols. These small metal plates were issued by the Great Khans of the Mongol Empire and given to merchants, nobles, messengers, skilled artisans, officials, and important guests. They enabled Mongol nobles and officials to demand goods and services from the civilian population, exempting them from taxes and allowing them to use relay stations. Some paizi were carried by government officials as proof of their position and title, while others were given to people coming and going through the empire. They were usually reserved for people who traveled on state business and foreigners who were in Mongol territory under the protection of the Khan. For example, A letter sent by the emperor in Beijing carried by an envoy wearing his paiza, or passport, could reach the Ilkhanid capital Tabriz, some 5,000 miles away, in about a month.
The Journey of Marco Polo
The famed Venetian traveler Marco Polo (1254-1324) is said to have carried a foot long three inches wide gold paiza issued by Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis Khan) himself on his extensive travels across Eurasia. The Gold paiza pretty much works as a diplomatic passport , giving wide ranging rights to receive lodging, provisions, horses, and guides throughout the lands controlled by the Khan.
Safe Passage Statements
The Safe passage statements in diplomatic passports inscribed inside cover, often overlooked by the bearer, guarantees safe passage, protection and immunity.. Centuries ago, these were badges and plates. The Paiza has safe passage statements carrying immunity, for example, Imperial Passport from Yuan dynasty c. 1240 AD (see above) – One of the two known Kublai Khan passports reads ” I am the emissary of the Khan. If you defy me, You die”.
Photo: Met Museum, New York. Source: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/60006641
Another paiza, made of iron with an inlay of thick silver bands forming characters in the Phagspa script, devised for the Mongol language in 1269 by the Tibetan monk ‘Phagspa (1235—1280), a close advisor to Kublai Khan (r. 1260–95). The inscription reads in translation (by Morris Rossabi): “By the strength of Eternal Heaven, an edict of the Emperor [Khan]. He who has no respect shall be guilty”.
For example the US passport carries this safe passage statement
Photo credit / Source: Wikipedia, PRADA, European Commission
“The Secretary of State of the United States of America hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen/national of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give all lawful aid and protection.”
Photo credit / Source: PRADA, European Commission
The Modern British diplomatic passports are printed with this safe passage statement.
“His Britannic Majesty‘s Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of His Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.”
King’s Messenger Passport
In the United Kingdom, during the 18-20 th centuries, royal badges were used by royal kings or queens messengers..
Source: Wikipedia. Photos of Badges of King’s or Queen’s Messengers from 18th to 20th centuries, seen in an exhibition at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Today the British passport of the King’s Messenger travel on official business (as diplomatic messenger) given a special diplomatic messenger passport.
The Corps of King’s Messengers are couriers employed by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. They hand-carry secret and important documents to British Embassies/High Commission and consulates around the world. Many Queen’s Messengers were retired Army personnel. Messengers generally travel in plain clothes in business class on scheduled airlines with their consignment.
Conclusion
Fast forward eight hundred years today, modern diplomatic passports evolved into a paper booklets, share the same characteristics of paiza, carrying safe passage statements that guarantee safety and protection to diplomats to carry out their official duties.
In the past, Mongols gave paiza to deserving people to attract foreign merchants and talents. The concept of buying citizenship or residency) did not exist in the Mongol Empire (1206–1368). However, Wealthy individuals or leaders who contributed substantial resources to the empire might be given important roles or privileges within the empire. Today’s citizenship by investment programs confer Golden passports (these are ordinary passports not diplomatic passports) similar to paiza, to deserving foreigners who invest a lot of money in the country.
