Noyan

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Noyan, noyon (and some other spellings introduced via Arabic texts; Mongolian: ноён) was a title of authority in the Mongol Empire. In modern Mongolian the word is used as a form of addressing similar to "mister" or "monsieur".

Initially, it was a term for a military commander it the army of Genghis Khan. (It was not a military rank: the term noyon applied to commanders of tumens (10,000 soldiers), as well as for minghans (1000 soldiers). During conquests noyons used to receive territories for administration and they effectively became Mongolian aristocracy, which existed until the 20th century.

Usually notable persons are referred to with the addition of "Noyan" after the ordinary personal name, similarly to the usage of the title "Khan", e.g., Jebe noyan, Chormaqan Noyan and more.

[edit] See also

• Mongol military tactics and organization