Turmoil in Herat and Khurasan

Chapter 3 (years 677/1278 to 729/1329). Unfolded is the “Roving Bandit v. Stationary Bandit” economic thesis on why plunderers settle and become rulers. Economists, principally, Prof. Mancur Olson, developed St. Augustine’s observation on how bands of brigands occupied lands and adopted “the name of a kingdom.” The Mongols, who had hitherto thrived on portable wealth (gold, livestock, slaves) acquired by violent theft (rob and run), realized they stood to profit from the rejuvenation of Herat. The Mongol Empire switched from plundering to gentle theft (i.e., taxation). The Mongols became stationary bandits. The Empire needed conscripts for further expansion. Kartids supplied the Mongols with thousands of conscripts.