• Had set of beliefs and practices referred to as shamanism
• Have recognized political threat of powerful religious leaders
• Generally considered to have been tolerant of religions
  • Used religious favoritism to control certain populations
  • Rulers rejected religion in institutionalized form
• In China, organized religious debates between Taoist and Buddhist scholars
  • Laimaist Buddhism offered best means of accommodating conquerors
  • Favored Lamaism but did not neglect other Chinese traditions
• With Islam, disregarded ulama and favored particular scholars
  • Relationship with Ismailis was collaboration against common enemy
  • Ended relationship when advancing and securing Ismaili regions
  • Removal of religious authorities allowed spread of other religions
• Women were present in Mongol religion before rise of Chinggis Khan