Qojin
Daughter of Genghis Khan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Qojin (c. 1179 – ?) was the eldest child and daughter of Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, and his primary wife, Börte. She married a member of the Ikires tribe Butu, and had children with him.
| Qojin | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1179 |
| Dynasty | |
| Father | Genghis Khan |
| Mother | Börte |
Biography
Qojin was likely born in either 1179 or 1180, as the eldest child and daughter of Temüjin, later known as Genghis Khan, and his wife Börte,[1] who at the time would have been 18 or 19 years old.[2] Qojin had eight younger siblings: Jochi, Chagatai, Ögedei, Checheyigen, Alaqa, Tümelün, Tolui, and Al-Altan.[3]
Temüjin had a strong relationship with Toghrul, helping him reclaim rule over the Kerait tribe in the 1190s.[4] As Temüjin's power grew to nearly equal that of Toghrul's, their relationship required adjustment.[5] Toghrul proposed that he adopt Temüjin as his heir,[5][6] while Temüjin proposed that Qojin and Jochi marry Toghrul's grandson Tusaqa and daughter Cha'ur respectively.[4] Qojin was around 23 years old when this proposal occurred, making her older than usual for a bride of the time period.[7] However, Toghrul's son Senggüm, who feared that Temüjin would usurp his own authority, convinced his father to not only reject the proposal but also to attack Temüjin.[5][7] Senggüm argued that the marriages would relegate Cha'ur to the place of a servant among the Mongols while designating Qojin an honoured lady among the Kerait,[8] a claim which disguised his greater fear of Temüjin's growing power.[7]
Qojin eventually married Butu of the Ikires tribe, a follower of Temüjin who had remained loyal in the difficult times after Senggüm's attack.[9][10] Butu had previously been married to Qojin's paternal aunt Temülün, who had died of unknown causes. Their marriage took place after 1203 but before 1206.[11] The strategic marriage gave her father a son-in-law with 2,000 troops to participate in military excursions.[10][12] In return Butu retained the right to lead his own Ikires people on campaign (most Mongol military units were composed of troops from different tribes).[13]
Qojin became the matriarch of the Ikires.[14] Qojin had at least two sons with Butu: Temegen, who married one of Genghis Khan's junior daughters,[15] and Uladai, whose daughter Qutuqtai became the senior wife of Möngke Khan.[16]