Doquz Khatun

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Doquz Khatun (also spelled Dokuz Khatun) (d. 1265) was a 13th-century princess of the Keraites who was married to Hulagu Khan, founder of the Ilkhanate.[1]

Doquz Khatun
Hulagu Khan and Doquz Khatun
Khatun of the Ilkhanate
Tenure1256 – 8 February 1265
NextBuluqhan Khatun
Died16 June 1265
ConsortHulagu Khan
HouseKeraites
FatherUyku
ReligionNestorianism

Life edit

Doquz Khatun was a granddaughter of the Keraite khan Toghrul, through his son Uyku or Abaqu.[2] She was given to Tolui at first following the demise of her grandfather. After his death in 1232, she was wed to Hulagu, his step-son in levirate marriage. She was known to accompany Hulagu on campaigns. At the Siege of Baghdad (1258), the Mongols massacred tens of thousands of inhabitants, but through the influence of Doquz, the Christians were spared.[3]

Doquz Khatun was an Assyrian Christian in the Church of the East, and is often mentioned as a great benefactor of the Christian faith. When Mongol envoys were sent to Europe, they also tried to use Doquz's Christianity to their advantage, by claiming that Mongol princesses such as Doquz and her aunt Sorghaghtani Beki were daughters of the legendary Prester John.[4]

Doquz Khatun was a supporter of her step-son Abaqa and retained her influential position even after the death of her husband.[5] She secured succession of Denha I to patriarchal throne of Church of the East in her capacity.[6] She died on 16 June 1265, 4 months after her husband. Stepanos Orbelian later claimed that she was poisoned by Shams al-Din Juvayni.[5]

 
Hulagu and Doquz Khatun in a Syriac Bible

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Runciman 1987, p. 299.
  2. ^ May, Timothy (2016-11-07). The Mongol Empire: A Historical Encyclopedia [2 volumes]: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 146. ISBN 9781610693400.
  3. ^ Runciman 1987, p. 303.
  4. ^ Jackson 2014, p. 175.
  5. ^ a b "DOKUZ ḴĀTŪN – Encyclopaedia Iranica". www.iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
  6. ^ Mazzola, Marianna (2018-06-25). "Bar 'Ebroyo's Ecclesiastical History : writing Church History in the 13th century Middle East": 413. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

Works cited edit