Sorghaghtani Beki (c. 1190-1252) was one of the most powerful people in the Mongol Empire. Daughter-in-law to Genghis Khan, she used unique forms of diplomacy to cement her place in Mongol society and create a path forward for all four of her sons to become Khans in their own right. Her reforms, passed on through her children, gave stability and prosperity to the Mongol Empire at a crucial moment.
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This month, we're pulling back the curtain to reveal women overlooked in their own lifetimes or in our historical accounts of the eras in which they lived. We're talking about the activists, thinkers, leaders, artists, and innovators history has forgotten.
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Hello for Wonder Media Network. I'm Jenny Kaplan and this is Womanica. This month, we're pulling back the curtain to reveal women overlooked in their own lifetimes or in our historical accounts of the eras in which they lived. We're talking about the activists, thinkers, leaders, artists, and innovators. History is forgotten. Without today's Womaniquin, the Mongol Empire might have fallen into disrepair. She ushered forth a new era for Genghis Khan's descendants through her unique style of diplomacy, and she wasn't even a Khan herself. Let's talk about Surhochtani. Becky Soorhochtani was born late in the twelfth century into the Cariat tribe in central Mongolia. Her family was powerful. It controlled territory and was often embroiled with its neighboring clan led by one Genghis Khan. In twelve o three, Genghis Khan launched a surprise attack and overtook the Cariats in order to unify the two tribes, Genghis and Sorhoktani's father decided their children would be married, and so Soorhoktani became Sohoktani Becki Genghis Khan's daughter in law. Sohoktani and her husband Tolai had four sons together. Women in Mongol society were generally involved in most aspects of Mongol life. As nomads, they took part in battle, helped relocate the community, and managed livestock. They were also teachers, advisors, regents, and tutors. Shoktani held remarkable power. Tolai commanded his men and his children to follow Sarhoktani's command. When he died in twelve thirty three, she took over her late husband's role as a leader of their community and the military. From the start, she was a well respected and well loved ruler, even if she was a bit out of the norm for starters. She refused to remarry. The sitting Great Khan offered his son's hand, but Sorhoktani turned him to down. She wanted to focus on raising her sons and as a single woman, there wouldn't be another Khan bloodline edging in on her son's claims to the throne. Even after refusing his offer, the Great Khan sought out Sorohoktani's advice on administrative issues. According to some stories, he never disregarded her opinion or strayed from what she said to do, and soor Huktani's advice was unusual in a society that usually valued force as a means of expanding power, She preferred diplomacy. She got the favor of allies by giving families and troops gifts. She reminded people of their allegiance to her late father in law and late husband, and when all else failed, she reminded people who they were dealing with, a mother and a widow who wielded great influence. Sorohoktani passed her lessons on to her children. Though they'd all grow up to be warriors, she also made sure they were diplomats and leaders. She made sure they were taught useful languages from around the Mongol Empire, and she stressed religon just tolerance. Soorhoktani herself was a Christian, an outlier in the Mongol umpire, but she donated to Muslim leaders and institutions, and welcomed Daoist and Buddhist monks. In twelve forty one, the sitting Great Khan died. He'd chosen a successor, but his eldest wife wanted her son Gayuk to rule instead. The only way to settle this issue was with the kurl taie a meeting of the khans. Soroktani and her sons arrived quickly in support of Gayuk, but the eldest and most esteemed of the khans, Batu, was far away and in ill health. Gayuk grew tired of waiting, his mother and her allies broke tradition and named him Khan. His first order of business was to storm out with a large army to confront Batu. Soorhoktani feared it would lead to endless bloodshed. She sent a message ahead to Batu, an ally warning him of Gayuk's plan. Somewhere along his way to Batu, the new Khan died, and the scramble for the three began again. In the years since the Great Khan's death, Sorhuktani had only become more popular. Her life's work was coming to a head. She knew the support she needed to win the throne for her sons. She sent her eldest son, Monka to meet Batu and secure his vote. It was a no brainer. Batu was indebted to Sorhuktani. He gave his vote to Monka. Meanwhile, Sorhuktani gathered her allies across the empire to attend the kurl Taie. Her careful creation of allies, family, adherence to Mongol tradition, and discipline in teaching her children leadership paid off in full. In twelve fifty one, Monka was finally elected Great Khan. Sorhouktani died the following winter, but her legacy lived on through her sons, who shaped the future of the Mongol Empire. They'd go on to expand the empire's territory and introduce systems to ensure its future wealth, like taxation systems and an investment in agriculture. Also recognize her second son's name as the leader of China's Yuen dynasty, Kublai Khan. All month, we've been talking about women behind the Curtain. For more information, find us on Facebook and Instagram at Wamanica podcast special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co creator. Tune in tomorrow for the start of a brand new theme. Talk to you then,