Sorghaghtani Beki

Who was Sorghaghtani Beki?

Sorghaghtani Beki or Bekhi, also written Sorkaktani, Sorkhokhtani, Sorkhogtani, Siyurkuktiti; traditional Chinese: 唆魯禾帖尼; simplified Chinese: 唆鲁禾帖尼; pinyin: Suōlǔhétiění, a Kereyid princess of the Nestorian Christian faith and daughter-in-law of Temüjin, was one of the most powerful and competent women in the Mongol Empire. Married to Tolui, Genghis' youngest son, 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, were to inherit the legacy of their grandfather. 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. As such, she may count among the most influential women in world history.