Terken Khatun (wife of Ala ad-Din Tekish)

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Terken Khatun
Terken-Khatun-Captive-Initi.gif
Terken Khatun captive to Mongols
Great Queen of the Khwarazmian Empire
Reign1200–1220
Coronation1200
Co-ruler of the Khwarazmian Empire
Reign1200–1220
Coronation1200
PredecessorTekish
SuccessorManguberdi
Co-reigntMuhammad II
Queen of the Khwarazmian Empire
Reign1172-1200
Coronation1172
Regent of the Khwarazmian Empire
Reign1195-1220
SpouseAla ad-Din Tekish
IssueMuhammad II
HouseKhwarazmian (by marriage)
FatherKipchak Khan
ReligionIslam

Terken Khatun (Persian: ترکان خاتون) was the Empress of the Khwarazmian Empire by marriage to Shah Ala ad-Din Tekish, and the mother and de facto co-ruler of Muhammad II of the Khwarazmian Empire.[1]

Background[]

Terken Khatun was the Qipchaq khan's daughter. She was from either the Qangli or the Bayandur tribe of the Kimek. According to Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu's biographer Shihab al-Din Muhammad al-Nasawi, the majority of her son Ala ad-Din Muhammad's top commanders were from Terken Khatun's tribe, and the need to attach them to his side was one reason why the Shah lent so heavily on his mother for advice.[2]

De facto co-ruler and Reign as Potential ruler[]

After the death of her husband, 'Ala' al-Din Tekish (1172-1200), she so dominated the court of their son, 'Ala' al-Din Muhammad II (1200–20), and quarreled so bitterly with his heir by another wife, Jalal al-Din, that she may have contributed to the impotence of the Khwarazmian Empire in the face of the Mongol onslaught. She had a separate Diwan and separate palace and the orders of the Sultan were not considered to be effective without her signature. The Shah ruled the heterogeneous peoples without mercy. In face of Mongol attacks, Khwarazmian empire, with a combined army of 400,000, simply collapsed. Khwarazmshah Muhammed had retreated to Samarkand towards the end of his domination and he had to leave the capital city of Gurgenç (Köneürgenç, present-day Turkmenistan) to her.[3]

Mongol invasion[]

Main article: Mongol conquest of the Khwarazmian Empire

In 1219, Genghis Khan invaded Khwarazm. Many large and prosperous cities: Otrar, Khujand, Bukhara, Samarkand, Merv, Nishapur and others were razed and their inhabitants killed. Muhammad died after fleeing in 1220 or a year after on a deserted island in the Caspian sea. She fled with the harem and the children of Khwarazmshah, took the royal treasury, and drowned 26 hostages, sons of different conquered rulers. She passed through the Karakum and took refuge in the Ilal fortress, but the Mongols captured the fortress soon afterwards. She and all the people were captured. The sons of the Shah were killed, his women and daughters were distributed to the sons and associates of Genghis Khan.[4]

Relations with Jalal-ad-Din[]

Relationship between Turkan Hatun and her grandson, the son of Muhammad, Jalal ad-Din, apparently was not good. When she was told to escape from the invading Mongols, she said:[5]

“Go away, tell him (Jalal ad-Din) to leave! How can I become dependent on the mercy of the son of Aychichek (Turkmen wife of Muhammad and mother of Jalal ad-Din) and be under his protection, when I have Uzlag-shah and Aq-shah? Even being in the captivity at the hands of Genghis Khan and my current humiliation are better for me than that!”

Death[]

She died in poverty somewhere on the territory of present-day Mongolia, in 1233.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ Michal Biran (15 September 2005). The Empire of the Qara Khitai in Eurasian History: Between China and the Islamic World. Cambridge University Press. pp. 165–. ISBN 978-0-521-84226-6.
  2. ^ J. A. Boyle, ed. (1968). The Cambridge History of Iran, Volume 5. Cambridge University Press. p. 191. ISBN 978-0-521-06936-6.
  3. ^ "Iran Heads of State".
  4. ^ An-Nasawi, "Description of life of Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu". Chapter 18. Eastern Literature. http://www.vostlit.info/Texts/rus8/Nasawi/frametext2.htm
  5. ^ An-Nasawi. "Description of life of Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu. Chapter 18". Vostochnaya Literatura (Eastern Literature) (in Russian).
  6. ^ ""Тарих" - История Казахстана - школьникам | Путешествие во времени | Теркен-хатун. Повелительница женщин мира".

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