Mongolia’s Timeless Military Tradition

The soldiers in the camp are lined up in formation. Since this was in present-day Xinjiang, in Khövög Sair of the Dzungar Khanate, it seems the state had not yet fallen.

This fascinating photograph shows a traditional Mongolian military camp, with soldiers lined up in precise formations. It was taken in the area now known as Khovog Sair (also called Khovog Sair or Bor Tal) in present-day Xinjiang, once part of the Dzungar Khanate. The image was captured by Senchin Gegeen Khan, a revered spiritual and community leader who documented the Torguud people’s heritage through photography.

Mongolian military camps, or Khuree / Ordo, have a tradition dating back to Chinggis Khaan and his legendary warriors. The gers (yurts) were arranged in circular formations, symbolizing unity, order, and protection. The central gers, often larger and more elaborately decorated, were reserved for the khan, his family, and close advisors, while soldiers, horse herders, craftsmen, and commoners occupied the surrounding rings. Entrances usually faced south for practical and spiritual reasons, and horses and livestock were kept in the outer circle to serve as both resources and natural defense.

These mobile camps were highly efficient: every ger could be assembled or dismantled within an hour, allowing the Mongol army to move quickly across the vast steppe. The layout also reflected Mongolian cosmology, with the center symbolizing power and heavenly blessing.

This photograph offers visitors a vivid glimpse into Mongolia’s resilience, military genius, and cultural continuity, a living link from the era of Chinggis Khaan to the Torguud descendants who preserved these traditions into the 20th century.