Börte

Few historical facts are known about her early life, but Mongolians have many legends about her. What little is known is generally from The Secret History of the Mongols.

Börte was born around 1161 into the Olkhonud of Khongirad. This tribe was friendly to the Borjigin tribe, into which Temüjin was born. She was the daughter of Dei-Sechen and Chotan.[1] She was described as having a "fair complexion" with "light in her face and fire in her eyes," meaning that she was intelligent.[2] The girls that came from the Olkhonud tribe were known for being particularly beautiful.[3]

The marriage was arranged by her father and Yesügei, Genghis' father, when she was 10 and he was 9 years old. Temüjin then stayed with her family until he was called back to help his mother and younger siblings, due to the poisoning of Yesügei by an enemy.[4]

In 1178, approximately 7 years later, Temüjin traveled downstream along the Kelüren River to find Börte. When Dei-Sechen saw that Temüjin had returned for Börte he was delighted and had the pair “united as man and wife”.[3] With the permission of Dei-Sechen, he took Börte and her mother to live in his family's yurt, which was camped along the Senggür river.[5] Börte's dowry was a fine black sable jacket.[6]

Soon after she married Temüjin, the Three Merkits attacked the family camp at dawn. Temüjin, and his family and friends were able to escape on horses, but there was no horse left for Börte to escape on. She was taken captive by the Merkits and given to one of their warriors as a spoil of war (along with Sochigel and a maid).[7] The raid was in retaliation for the abduction of Hoelun, Temüjin's mother, by his father Yesügei many years earlier.[8] Temüjin was deeply distressed by the abduction of his wife and remarked that his bed “was made empty” and his breast was “torn apart”.[3] He was determined to bring Börte back, and rescued her several months later with the aid of his allies Wang Khan and Jamukha. Some scholars describe this event as one of the key crossroads in Temüjin’s life, which moved him along the path towards becoming a conqueror.[9][10]

“As the pillaging and plundering went on, Temüjin moved among the people that were hurriedly escaping, calling, ‘Börte, Börte!’ And so he came upon her, for Lady Börte was among those fleeing people. She heard the voice of Temüjin and, recognizing it, she got off the cart and came running towards him. Although it was still night, Lady Börte and Qo’aqčin both recognized Temüjin’s reins and tether and grabbed them. It was moonlight; he looked at them, recognized Lady Börte, and they fell into each other’s arms.”[3] -The Secret History of the Mongols

Börte had been held captive for eight months, and she gave birth to Jochi after she was rescued, leaving doubt as to who the father of the child was, because her captor took her as a "wife", and therefore could have possibly impregnated her. However, Genghis let Jochi remain with his family and claimed him as his own son. He was supposed to be Genghis' successor but because of his doubt of being Jochi's real father, his brothers would not accept him as ruler and Genghis had to choose another son. Jochi then became leader of the Golden Horde.

Wax sculptures of Genghis Khan (left) and his wife Börte (right) in Mongolia.

Börte was the senior and first wife of Temüjin. She was revered by the Mongols after he became Genghis Khan, and she was crowned the Grand Empress. Börte on several occasions heavily influenced her husband's decisions. One such occasion was when Otčigin came into Genghis Khan's tent while he was still in bed with Börte, and asked for help against the Qongqotan tribe. Before Genghis Khan could say anything, Börte "sat up in bed, covering her breasts with the edge of the blanket" and described the cruelty of the Qongqotan. After listening to his wife speak, Genghis Khan decided to help Otčigin.[3]

As Genghis Khan continued to expand his influence and empire, Börte remained behind and assisted Genghis' brother Temüge in ruling the Mongol homeland. Other wives accompanied Genghis Khan on his campaigns, while she ruled her own territory and managed her own court.[11] Most of the Kherlen River was assigned to her, land that had before belonged to the Tatars.[12] Only her sons were considered to be candidates to succeed Temüjin as Khans.

Börte is often portrayed as "a beautiful woman dressed in a white silken gown, with gold coins in her hair, holding a white lamb, and riding a white steed".[13]

Börte's sons:

• Jochi, may not be Genghis Khan's biological offspring (mother was captured by Merkit people)
• Chagatai
• Ögedei
• Tolui

Daughters:

• Kua Ujin Bekhi, the eldest, was betrothed to Tusakha, son of Senggum, and grandson of Wang Khan, ruler of the Keraite tribe; she eventually married Botu, of the Ikires tribe, and widower of her paternal aunt Temulun.
• Alakhai Bekhi, married first to Alaqush Digit Quri, chieftain of the Ongüt tribe; then to his nephew and heir Jingue; and finally to her stepson Boyaohe
• Tümelün, married to Chigu, son of Anchen, son of Dei Seichen, Börte's father
• Alaltun married Chaur Setsen, son of Taiju Kurgen of the Olkanut tribe.[14] She is often mistaken with Il-Alti, a daughter by a concubine, who was given to the Uyghur chieftain Idi Qut.[14]
• Checheikhen, married to Törölchi, son of Quduka beki, of the Oirat tribe.

Given her significant role in Genghis Khan's life, Börte has appeared as a prominent character in the many films and television series based on her husband's life and conquests. The actresses who have portrayed her include Susan Hayward in The Conqueror, Françoise Dorléac in Genghis Khan and Chuluuny Khulan in the 2007 Oscar nominated Russian film Mongol.[15]

• List of kidnappings

• René Grousset. Conqueror of the World: The Life of Chingis-khan (New York: The Viking Press, 1944) ISBN 0-670-00343-3.
• Ratchnevsky, Paul. Genghis Khan: His Life and Legacy. (Blackwell Publishing 1991) ISBN 0-631-16785-4.
• Man, John. Genghis Khan: Life, Death and Resurrection (London; New York : Bantam Press, 2004) ISBN 0-593-05044-4.
• Onon, Urgunge, tr. and ed. and introduction. The Secret History of the Mongols: The Life and Times of Chinggis Khan. (Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2005) ISBN 0-203-98876-0
• Weatherford, Jack. (2010). The Secret History of the Mongol Queens. Broadway Paperbacks, New York. ISBN 978-0-307-40716-0