With a history dating back to 2000 BC, the Mongolian bow was superior to other bows of that period because of its higher range, higher build quality, and unique shooting technique.
It was the most important weapon of the Mongolian empire, especially under the leadership of Genghis Khan. Traditional Mongolian archery is believed to have helped them excel at warfare.
Let’s look at the five key features that made the Mongolian bow superior enough to influence the design of the modern composite recurve bow.
1. Longer shooting range
While skilled Mongolian warriors could shoot up to 500 meters, the average range of the Mongol bows used to be 200-300 meters, and the precise shooting range was around 100–130 meters.
The English longbows and other medieval European bows had a maximum range of 200–250 meters, and the precise shooting range was believed to be less than 100 meters.
Wondering why the Mongolian bows had a better shooting range than others?
The secret lies in their composite construction and shooting technique. Let’s learn about these in detail.
2. Composite construction
As you know, a Mongolian bow is a composite bow made of layers of wood, animal sinew, and animal horns, all glued together.
Just in case you are curious, here is how Mongolian bows are made.
Due to its composite construction, it can store and release more energy than a single-piece bow. This means they can shoot the arrows faster and farther than other bows having the same draw weight.
3. Recurve design
The limbs of the Mongolian bows are curved away from the archer when unstrung.
Look at our Han Siyah horseback recurve bow, for example.
When strung, the limbs move in opposite directions, i.e., towards the archer, creating a highly powerful tension. This tension stores more potential energy than the English longbow, so your arrow is likely to travel at a greater speed and with more power.
4. Unique thumb release shooting technique
Instead of the standard Mediterranean three-finger release, the Mongols used thumb for drawing and shooting.
The distinctive shooting technique of Mongolian archery helped the warriors shoot rapidly and precisely, even when riding horses, just the way the Dothraki tribes did in Game of Thrones. Since the Mongols could shoot in quick succession, they often dominated the battlefields.
Read my latest blog on how to shoot a Mongolian bow to understand how the thumb release technique works.
5. Lightweight bows and arrows
Mongolian bows are typically smaller and lighter than many other bows. The arrows are typically made of birch, which is also lightweight.
Being more portable and lightweight, they didn’t weigh down the Mongol warriors even during long battles. Moreover, the arrows could travel farther and faster.
In fact, skilled Mongol warriors would carry more than one bow for a battle!
Wrapping up
Even 2000 years ago, the Mongolian bow was one of the most advanced and effective weapons. It is still used in traditional archery.
If you have been thinking of buying one, I recommend our beginner-friendly Mongolian bow. And do not forget to buy a thumb ring to prevent thumb injury.
