Paiza
/ˈpaɪzə/noun
A tablet or badge issued by Mongol rulers as a credential granting its bearer official authority and privileges.
Did you know?A paiza could compel people to provide horses, food, lodging, or passage, making it a portable symbol of the Mongol state’s power.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Chinese
Chinese
牌
“A tablet, sign, plaque, or identifying marker”
Medieval Chinese
Chinese
牌子 (páizi)
“A tablet, badge, sign, or token”
13th Century
Mongolian
paiza
“An official tablet or credential issued under Mongol authority”
13th–14th Century
Persian
pāiza
“A Mongol-issued tablet or warrant of authority”
19th Century
English
paiza
“A credential tablet carried by officials or envoys of the Mongol Empire”