medieval-women: Sorghaghtani BekiKereyid princess (a clan within modern China and Mongolia) and da
medieval-women: Sorghaghtani Beki Kereyid princess (a clan within modern China and Mongolia) and daughter-in-law of Genghis Khan Birth late 1100’s - Death 1252 Claim to fame: one of the most powerful and competent women in the Mongol Empire, she promoted education and tolerance over exploitation. As an adolescent, Sorghaghtani’s father gave her to Genghis Khan, who then passed her to his son, Tolui. The marriage produced four sons and, like most Mongol women of the time, Sorghaghtani managed affairs at home during the regular absence of her campaigning husband. After Tolui’s death, Sorghaghtani controlled his appanages in parts of Mongolia, Iran and China. She refused marraige proposals from prestigious men, claiming that her sons needed her attention. This was an important decision for the Mongol Empire as all four sons, Möngke Khan, Hulagu Khan, Ariq Böke, and Kublai Khan became leaders in their own right. Although illiterate, Sorghaghtani recognised the importance of literacy in running a widespread empire. Her sons therefore studied different languages and cultures from within the empire in order to better administer conquered lands. She was a Nestorian Christian but respected other religions, likewise, her sons were liberal minded and tolerant in matters of religion. She instilled in them her belief that the peoples of the Empire must be supported rather than mindlessly exploited. Sorghaghtani raised her sons to be leaders, removed competitors and manoeuvred family politics in their favour. Her influence was decisive and considerably strengthened Mongol rule. Sorghaghtani was well remembered by Muslim, Chinese and Christian chroniclers alike. European missionaries described her as “the most renowned of the Mongols”, and Syriac scholar Bar Hebraeus quoted, “If I were to see among the race of women another woman like this, I should say that the race of women was far superior to that of men.” Womeninworldhistory.com Mongolia-attractions.com Wiki -- source link
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