What was Khamag Mongol Uls in Mongol tradition?

In Mongol tradition, the Khamag Mongol Uls—which translates to the "Nation of All the Mongols"—was a mysterious tribal power or league that existed prior to the rise of Genghis Khan.1

Despite its name, the Khamag Mongol Uls did not encompass the entire population of Mongol-speaking peoples. Centered in the Onon and Kherlen (Kerulen) river valleys in the eastern half of northern Mongolia, the league functioned as a significant political entity during the period when the Liao dynasty controlled much of the region.1

Historically, the Khamag Mongol Uls often served as transfrontier allies or auxiliaries to the Khitan-Liao. However, following the fall of the Liao and the rise of the Jin dynasty, the political favor of the new rulers shifted toward the Tatars. This shift was a deliberate policy by the Jin to foster a feud between the Mongols and the Tatars, who were distinct from the Khamag Mongol Uls tribal league.1