Mongol Postal Relay System (Jam)

Timeline

1. c. 1206–1260Mongolian Plateau · Mongolian PlateauAfter unifying the Mongol tribes, Genghis Khan used mounted relays to transmit military dispatches and edicts, forming the prototype of the steppe tradition's jam and laying the foundation for later intercontinental postal service.
2. c. 1260–1290Dadu · North ChinaAfter founding the Yuan, Kublai issued regulations such as the Jam Ordinances, integrating steppe jams with Chinese relay stations and courier systems, stationing station households to supply horses and provisions, forming a nationwide institutionalized postal network.
3. 1291–1300Yuan dynasty relay roads nationwide · Yuan dynastyDuring Chengzong's reign, relay stations continued to be added and reorganized, the tally-token system and travel-ranking grades were perfected, and the jam network approached completion by the late thirteenth century, supporting central transmission of edicts and dispatch of supplies to the provinces.