The exactions and cruelty of the tax-gatherers led to local insurrections, and the insurrections were of course always severely punished.

But there was never any general military occupation of the country or any wholesale confiscations of land, and the existing political organisation was left undisturbed.

The modern method of dealing with annexed provinces was totally unknown to the Mongols.

The Khans never thought of attempting to denationalise their Russian subjects.

They demanded simply an oath of allegiance from the Princes* and a certain sum of tribute from the people.