The Battle of Mobei in 119 BCE, waged between the confederated nomadic tribes of the Xiongnu and the Han Dynasty of China, might as well have been one of decisive consequences for all of the Eurasian landmass.
As a result of the Xiongnu defeat in this engagement and, ultimately, the Han-Xiongnu Wars, the Han Empire attained control over the Gobi Desert and the Hexi Corridor, protecting their flanks from future Xiongnu attacks and paving the way for the first Chinese conquest of the Tarim Basin.
Not only this, but from the 60's BCE on in, the Xiongnu would suffer from decades of civil war that would see the union split between a Northern court and Southern court, the latter being pro-Chinese. One could argue that this unrest within Xiongnu lands, alongside climatic changes, would encourage tribes within Mongolia to migrate westward, if the "Huns are Xiongnu" theory is to be believed.
So, what if the Xiongnu had been ultimately victorious in their struggles against the Han Dynasty, and also never split into two rival warring factions?
What would be the effects for Asia at large?
As a result of the Xiongnu defeat in this engagement and, ultimately, the Han-Xiongnu Wars, the Han Empire attained control over the Gobi Desert and the Hexi Corridor, protecting their flanks from future Xiongnu attacks and paving the way for the first Chinese conquest of the Tarim Basin.
Not only this, but from the 60's BCE on in, the Xiongnu would suffer from decades of civil war that would see the union split between a Northern court and Southern court, the latter being pro-Chinese. One could argue that this unrest within Xiongnu lands, alongside climatic changes, would encourage tribes within Mongolia to migrate westward, if the "Huns are Xiongnu" theory is to be believed.
So, what if the Xiongnu had been ultimately victorious in their struggles against the Han Dynasty, and also never split into two rival warring factions?
What would be the effects for Asia at large?