In addition to the tribute above mentioned, the Russians had to furnish to their master a blood tax in the shape of a military force and in the thirteenth century we find that the Russian princes furnished to the Tartars a solid infantry an arm of service which the Tartars themselves did not possess, having been brought up solely as cavalrymen.
These contingents were even placed under the command of the princes themselves who were obliged to march at their head and take part in the expeditions of the Grand Khan against various tribes which rebelled against his sway in different parts of Asia upon the confines of his empire. Worse yet, these forces were often called upon to assist the Tartars to put down rebellious princes in Russia itself. Thus it will be seen the depths to which the Russian national pride was being humbled throughout half a dozen generations.
On the other hand the blood of the two races was in the meantime being mingled by matrimonial alliances, which became very common. In this respect the princes on both sides set the example to their subjects. The Asiatic shepherds, therefore, could not help being more or less influenced by Slavic manners, traditions and religion.
Thus the fierce penalties by flogging, mutilation or death at the stake, which the Asiatics brought to Europe, and, also, such arts and customs as they found in Russia became common to a great extent to the mingled progeny of the conquerors and their subjects.
Still the two races did not become thoroughly unified, and, in many particulars, continued to the end of the Mongolian conquest to be entirely separate from each other in the matter of social habits and religious opinions. This arises chiefly, no doubt, from the fact that while the Russians continued to be Christians, the pagans instead of accepting their faith were gradually becoming Mohammedans.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
