Shikhikhutug

Shikhikhutag (Mongolian: Шихихутаг) was a high-ranking minister of the Mongol Empire in its early years and a stepbrother of Genghis Khan, the empire's founder.

Life[]

According to The Secret History of the Mongols, Shikhikhutag was a son of a Tartar nobleman. As a child, he was lost during a skirmish between the Mongols and the Tartars in the early 1190s and was discovered by Genghis Khan's men later. He was brought to the khan's mother, Hoelun, and was adopted by her as a son.

Shikhikhutag was well-versed in legal affairs and contributed greatly to the Mongolian legal code of Yassa during the early years of the Mongol Empire. He was appointed by Genghis Khan as a judge in 1206 and helped to keep a record of legislations and criminal affairs as part of his duties. He also maintained a close friendship with Yelü Chucai, the prime minister of the Mongol Empire.

In 1221, Shikhikhutag led the Mongolian army at the Battle of Parwan against the Khwarezmid Empire, which was led by Sultan Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu. It marked one of the few defeats of the Mongols by the Khwarezmians. Shikhikhutug joined Genghis Khan at the Battle of Indus, then he was sent to Nishapur with Tolun Cherbi, half-brother of Genghis khan. Following his mission in Nishapur, Shikhikhutug was appointed the charge of the captive craftsmen in Ghazni who were to be transported into Mongolia. Finishing his mission in Ghazni, Shikhikhutug leaded the siege of Tulak of which the governor Hashabi Nizawar agreed to pay tributes. After annexing Tulak, Shikhikhutug dealt with the revolt that dethroned the Pro-Mongol governance of Merv.

Shikhikhutag was appointed by Ögedei Khan as a chief judge in northern China in 1240 and died in 1250.

References[]

• Secret History of the Mongols

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