Töregene Khatun (also Turakinawas the Great Khatun and regent of the Mongol Empire from the death of her husband Ögedei Khan in 1241 until the election of her eldest son Güyük Khan in 1246.
Töregene was born into the Naiman tribe. Her first husband was a member of the Merkit clan. Some sources state that his name was Qudu (d. 1217), son of Toqto'a Beki of the Merkits.[1][2] However, Rashid-al-Din Hamadani named her first husband as Dayir Usun of the Merkits.[3] When Genghis conquered the Merkits in 1204, he gave Töregene to Ögedei as his second wife. While Ögedei's first wife Boraqchin had no sons, Töregene gave birth to five sons, Güyük, Kötän, Köchü, Qarachar, and Qashi (father of Kaidu).
She eclipsed all of Ögedei's other wives and gradually increased her influence among the court officials. But Töregene still resented Ögedei's officials and the policy of centralizing the administration and lowering tax burdens. Töregene sponsored the reprinting of the Taoist canon in North China.[4] Through the influence of Töregene, Ögedei appointed Abd-ur-Rahman as tax farmer in China.
Great Khatun of the Mongol Empire
Soon after Ögedei died in 1241, at first power passed to the hands of Möge Khatun, one of Ögedei's widows and formerly one of Genghis Khan's wives.[citation needed] With the support of Chagatai and her sons, Töregene assumed complete power as regent in spring 1242 as Great Khatun[5] and dismissed her late husband's ministers and replaced them with her own, the most important being another woman, Fatima, a Tajik or Persian captive from the Middle Eastern campaign. She was a Shia Muslim who had been deported from the city of Meshed to Mongolia.
She tried to arrest several of Ögedei's main officials. Her husband's chief secretary, Chinqai, and the administrator, Mahmud Yalavach, fled to her son Koden in North China while Turkestani administrator Masud Begh fled to Batu Khan in the Pontic Steppe. In Iran, Töregene ordered Korguz arrested and handed over to the widow of Chagatai, whom he had defied. The Chagatayid Khan Qara Hülëgü executed him. Töregene appointed Arghun Aqa of the Oirat as governor in Persia.
In the heart of the vast Mongol Empire, where warriors rode across endless steppes and empires trembled, emerged an extraordinary figure: Töregene Khatun. Her story is one of courage, intrigue, and power, and it unfolds against the backdrop of a male-dominated world.
Early Life and Marriage
Born into the noble Onggirat clan, Töregene Khatun’s destiny was forever altered when she married Oghdai Khan, a prominent Mongol leader. Their union would shape the course of history. 🌺
The Death of Oghdai Khan
When Oghdai Khan met his untimely demise, Töregene faced a pivotal moment. Rather than fading into obscurity, she seized the reins of power. As regent for her young son, Güyük Khan, she navigated treacherous political waters with grace and determination. 🗡️
Challenges and Triumphs
Töregene’s rule was marked by challenges: rival factions vying for control, external threats, and internal dissent. Yet, she proved herself a shrewd strategist, adept at balancing diplomacy and military might. Her court buzzed with intrigue, alliances, and whispered secrets. 🌐
Legacy and Influence
Töregene Khatun’s legacy extended beyond her regency. She championed religious tolerance, supported scholars, and fostered cultural exchange. Her patronage of art and literature left an indelible mark on Mongol civilization.
Conclusion
As we delve into the life of Töregene Khatun, let us celebrate her resilience, intelligence, and unwavering commitment to her people. She defied expectations, shattered glass ceilings, and became the only woman to rule the Mongols—an inspiration for generations to come. 👑
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Voiceover: Tahir Ubaid Chaudhry
