Börte

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Börte Ujin was the Grand Empress of the Mongol Khan Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire. She was the first wife of Genghis Khan and was the head of the first Court of Genghis Khan.

She was from Onggirat tribe. Her father, Dei Seichen, was a chieftain of the Onggirat tribe. Her mother's name was Tchotan. This tribe was friendly to Temüjin's tribe. It was decided, perhaps by others, that Börte was to marry Temüjin (later Genghis Khan) at the marriageable age of 17. Temüjin's father was murdered by the Tatars, an enemy group at the time of Temüjin's father's tribe, when he was returning home from Börte's house after leaving Temüjin with her. Later, she was abducted by Merkits. Temüjin with Wang Khan and Jamuqa's armies rescued her from her captors. She was held captive for eight months, and she gave birth to Jochi right after she was rescued. Börte mothered Jochi, Chagatai, Ögedei, Tolui and five daughters: the oldest one, Khojen Beki, was betrothed to Tusakha, son of Senggum, and grandson of Ong Khan, ruler of the Kerait tribe; she eventually married Botu, of the Ikire tribe, and widower of her paternal aunt Temulun. Alaqai Beki, married first to Alaqush Digit Quri, chieftain of the Ongüt tribe; then to his nephew and heir Jingue; and finally to her stepson Boyaohe; Tümelün, married to Chigu, son of Anchen, son of Dei Sechen, Borte's father; Altalün, married first to Olar, chieftain of the Olqunu’ut tribe; then to her stepson Taichu; and Checheyigen, married to Törölchi, son of Quduka beki, of the Oirat tribe. Although several of Ghenghis Khan's children by wives or concubines received some form of recognition in the empire, including land or military commands, including troops, only Borte's children were recognized as potential Great Khans. She, together with his mother Hoelun, was counted as one of his most trusted advisors.

She was revered after Temüjin became the Great Khan and was crowned the grand empress. As Genghis Khan continued to expand his influence and empire, Borte remained behind and assisted Genghis Khan's brother Temuge in ruling the Mongol homeland.

Borte is often portrayed as a beautiful woman dressed in a white silken gown, with gold coins in her hair, holding a white lamb, and riding a white steed.

Few historical facts are known about her life, but Mongolians have many legends about her.

[edit] References

  • Grousset, Rene. Conqueror of the World: The Life of Chingis-khan (New York: The Viking Press, 1944) ISBN 0-670-00343-3.
  • Ratchnevsky, Paul. Genghis Khan: His Life and Legacy. (Blackwell Publishing 1991) ISBN 0-631-16785-4.
  • Man, John. Genghis Khan: Life, Death and Resurrection (London; New York : Bantam Press, 2004) ISBN 0-593-05044-4.

For other relevant sources, see Genghis Khan.


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