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Marco Polo's golden passport was a gold tablet called a paiza that gave him and his family permission to travel through Asia. The tablet was a diplomatic passport that allowed them to use the Khan's network of lodgings, horses, and guides.
How did Marco Polo get the golden passport?
Marco Polo's father, Niccolo, was a merchant who traveled to the Mongol capital of China, Khanbaliq.
There, Niccolo met Kublai Khan, who granted him a gold passport.
Two years later, Marco Polo and his brother, Maffeo, set off for the court of Kublai Khan.
**What did the golden passport allow Marco Polo to do?
The golden passport allowed the Polos to travel through Asia without restriction.
It also allowed them to receive lodging, provisions, horses, and guides.
The tablet stated a death penalty for anyone who did not honor the Khan's name.
What happened to the golden passport after Marco Polo's death?
The golden passport was listed among Marco Polo's possessions when he died in 1324.
Polo's daughter, Fantina, listed the golden passport as one of her properties when she went to trial to ask for her dowry back.
The Golden Paiza, also known as the geregee, was a document given to travelers, officials, and merchants by the Mongol khans. It was a type of passport that allowed the holder to travel freely and access supplies throughout the Mongol Empire.
Who received the Golden Paiza?
Marco Polo: The famous Venetian traveler was given a golden paiza by Kublai Khan.
Officials: Mongol officials gave paizas to diplomats to show their status.
Military commanders: More prestigious paizas were given to military commanders, non-Mongol tributary rulers, and local civil administrators.
Merchants: Partner merchants who traded with imperial or princely funds also received paizas.
What was the Golden Paiza used for?
The Golden Paiza allowed the holder to travel safely throughout the empire.
It provided the holder with access to lodging, food, and transportation.
It granted the holder the right to requisition goods and services from the general civilian population.
What was the Golden Paiza made of?
The Golden Paiza could be made of gold, silver, bronze, cast iron, or wood.
The material and shape of the Golden Paiza determined the privileges of the traveler.
What was the golden passport of Marco Polo?
Marco and his family were given a golden tablet called a "paiza". This allowed him official use of Khan's vast network of lodgings and transport. It was, in essence, an official passport that allowed them to travel without restriction through Asia.
The "Marco Polo Golden Pass" refers toa golden tablet called a "paiza" which was given to Marco Polo by Kublai Khan, allowing him to travel freely throughout the Mongol Empire with access to lodging and transportation, essentially acting as an official passport during his journeys through Asia;.
Key points about the paiza:
Name: "Paiza"
Function: A travel document granting safe passage and access to services across the Mongol Empire
Given by: Kublai Khan
Significance: It allowed Marco Polo to navigate vast distances and experience different cultures during his travels.
11. He was granted a golden tablet of safe conduct.
Kublai Khan gives the Polos their golden tablet, c. 1280s, from an early 15th-century manuscript. | Print Collector/Getty Images
When Marco Polo finally decided it was time to end his adventures and return home, Kublai Khan had grown so attached to the Venetian merchant that he denied his request. Polo finally convinced Kublai Khan to let him go in return for helping the emperor’s great nephew on a sea voyage. In order to ensure Polo was safe on his travels, the emperor awarded him a golden tablet of safe conduct—an inscribed gold plaque—which would help him obtain supplies on their journey and let everyone know he was under the emperor’s protection.
Golden Paiza
Silver Paiza
Bronze Paiza
Wood Paiza
Iron Paiza
Marco Polo and his family members probably did not have the Golden Paiza when they first met Kublai Khan. They likely started with a Wood Paiza or Iron Paiza. Through the years, Kublai Khan recognize their value in the Mongol Empire and gave them the next highest Paiza such as Silver and Bronze, until finally giving them the most valuable passport, Golden Paiza. The Polos were traveling throughout the Mongol Empire, and they need access and privileges to different regions. The Polos were the only foreigners probably that received the all-access passport, Golden Paiza.
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Video
Geregee or Golden Paiza of Chinggis Khan (Genghis Khan)
Gift ID:
UNNY236G
During the 13th and 14th centuries, travelers and messengers used geregee or paiza as a passport or document on the Mongol yam or postal route. Depending on the material and shape of the geregee, travelers had different privileges. The better the material meant the more rights they had. Geregee were made of wood, bronze, silver, or gold.
Chinggis Khan, the Great Khan (also known as Genghis Khan), distributed the geregee to officials and envoys so they could move freely, easily access food and horses, and receive respect¬¬ and courtesy. Under the protection of the Great Khan and the Mongolian Empire, envoys went on diplomatic missions and to different countries around the world efficiently. States and individuals provided aid and protection when needed.
The gift is historically significant because the geregee is one of the first universally recognized document entitling diplomatic immunity and privileges. It contributed to the development of norms and laws of diplomatic relations.
The government of Mongolia presented the geregee or golden paiza to the United Nations.
