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Sorghaghtani Beki

Sorghaghtani
Empress (Khatun)
TuluiWithQueenSorgaqtani.jpg
The Christian queen Sorghaghtani with her husband, Tolui. Rashid al-Din, early 14th century.
Reign 1204–1252
Born Mongolia
Died 1252
Burial Gansu (at church)
Spouse Tolui
Posthumous name
Empress Xianyi Zhuangsheng
(顯懿莊聖皇后)
House Keraite
Father Jakha Gambhu, brother of Ong Khan
Religion Christianity(Church of the East)
Posthumous name
Empress Xianyi Zhuangsheng
(顯懿莊聖皇后)

Sorghaghtani Beki or Bekhi (Bek(h)i is a title), also written Sorkaktani, Sorkhokhtani, Sorkhogtani, Siyurkuktiti (d. 1252; posthumous name: Chinese: 顯懿莊聖皇后; pinyin: Xiǎnyì Zhuāngshèng Huánghòu) was a Keraite princess and daughter-in-law of Genghis Khan. Married to Tolui, Genghis' youngest son, Sorghaghtani Beki became one of the most powerful and competent women in the Mongol Empire. She raised her sons to be leaders, and maneuvered the family politics so that all four of her sons, Möngke Khan, Hulagu Khan, Ariq Böke, and Kublai Khan, went on to inherit the legacy of their grandfather.

Sorghaghtani Beki was a Christian, specifically a member of the Church of the East (often referred to as "Nestorian Christianity"). As a moving spirit behind the Mongol Empire, Sorghaghtani is responsible for much of the trade openings and intellectual exchange made possible by this, the largest contiguous empire in world history.

Sorghaghtani was the daughter of Jakha Gambhu, the younger brother of the powerful Keraite leader Toghrul, also known as Ong Khan. According to The Secret History of the Mongols, around 1203, when Toghrul was a more powerful leader than Temüjin, Temüjin proposed to Toghrul that Temüjin's eldest son Jochi might marry Toghrul's daughter or granddaughter, thus binding the two groups. However, Toghrul refused this alliance, and later attempted to kill the increasingly powerful Temüjin through an invitation to discuss this proposal. However, Temüjin discovered this plan and they escaped at the last moment. Eventually, the Keraites were routed in the ensuing war and Toghrul was killed, possibly by the Naimans.


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