The paiza, a metallic disk, was issued in ancient Mongolia under the rule of Genghis Khan. As a symbol of the Mongol administration, the metal disk assured protection to its holders. Before introducing the Mongolian paiza, merchants faced numerous safety challenges as they transversed through the silk trade routes. During the 13th century, trade had become significant because the region faced extreme climate unfavorable for cultivation. For survival, the Mongolians traded with neighboring countries through the silk roads, facilitating the exchange of goods and new ideas between China and the West. The paiza was a travel pass that inevitably demonstrated how the Mongols administration valued communication and security in the region.
Issued by the rulers to signify protection, the paiza can be compared to the modern-day special diplomatic passport. However, the merchants, officials, ordinary travelers, and skilled artisans had to wear the travel pass around their neck or attach it to their clothing. A ring or a hole at the top allowed the bearer to hang it from the belt. Mostly, the Mongolian paiza had an image of a tiger, dragon, or lion at the top. According to the Marco Polo travelogue, the metal disk was issued in various levels; gold, iron, bronze, and silver. On the other hand, the value and worth of the material signified the status of the holder. As a result, this distinguished the traveler’s position, and in turn, the level of service accorded to them. Also, the Mongolian paiza allowed envoys, merchants, and messengers free access to specific provisions and privileges, such as food, accommodation, and escort by guards in their journey along silk routes.
The paiza’s design contained inscribed Chinese words with the Emperor’s orders to accord respect to its bearer and a warning to those who would ignore it. In addition to developing safe routes for merchants, the Mongol empire utilized the paiza to demonstrate its governance role in the trading system along the silk route. Also, the travel pass signified that its bearers had been exempted from taxes and duties. As a result, the free trade promotion using this economic artifact highly impacted the economy. Even though the silk road trade routes had become extremely dangerous, they attracted people from various social classes and civilizations. Polo’s travelogue described the massive traffic of trade caravan carrying luxury gold tissues, precious minerals, spices, and silk that traversed daily from China to other regions surrounding the empire.
The paiza impacted the cultural exchange between the numerous civilizations involved in the trade. As a result, the silk road trading routes facilitated a high rate of new ideas exchange, new technology exchange, and trading of new goods among the many merchants. Consequently, this led to an increase in wealth and extensive knowledge in the region. In summary, the paiza helped increase the rate of prosperity and the overall economy of the Mongol empire.
Finally, the Mongolian paiza shows the administration’s value of free trade through increased protection and communication in the region. Apart from enhancing the safety of the trade routes, the administration ensured that paiza’s bearers had a right to certain supplies and authority to receive assistance from the locals. As a foreigner, Marco polo had freely transversed the vast Mongol empire using this traveling pass. In short, the paiza opened global connections throughout the empire, leading to a thriving economy.