Mandukhai Khatun (1449-1510), also known as Mandukhai Sechen Khatun, was a Mongolian Empress. The word “Khatun” is the female form of the word “Khan”, as in Genghis Kahn.
Born into a family of aristocrats, she married Manduul Khan when she was 18 years old, and bore a daughter, whose name unfortunately isn’t known.
Soon after the death of her husband the Khan, Manduhai adopted the 7-year-old orphan Batmunkh, then the last living direct descendant of Genghis Kahn. Manduhai named him “Dayan Kahn”, meaning “Great Kahn” or “Khan of whole universe”.
When Dayan Khan turned 19, Manduhai married him, again becoming the Khatun or Empress. Older and more experienced than the Khan, she retained great influence over court and military. Together they reunified the Mongol retainers of the former eastern region of the Mongol Empire.
Manduhai fought in battles herself, even while pregnant, and was once injured while carrying twins of Dayan Khan. She and the twins survived, and her army won the battle.
Mandukhai managed to keep Dayan Khan in power as a Chingis Khan’s descendant and defeated the Oirats, actions which have contributed to the legends which formed about her life. She left seven sons and three daughters. The later khans and nobles of Mongolia are her descendants.
Featured image by Panoramix – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Keri is a blogger and digital marketing professional who founded Amazing Women In History in 2011.
She didn’t adopt Batmunkh when he was 7 year old. She married him at that age. She made desicision on behalf of him as Khaan of Whole mongols. after she got married him. the couple went to the great place of Genggis khaan which is in Ordos of Inner Mongolia. It also called yellow “Ordon” Which means great palace like persidential palace. At there, she says promise words to souls of Genggis and Berte “ujin” who was the great khatun of Genggis Khaan. Her promise words are “I will give 7 sons and 1 daugther to your desendant Batmunkh.” Then she gives 7 sons and 1 daugher to greate khaan Batmunkh. throughout history, she is a top idol for all mongolian folks including Inner mongolians, republic Mongolians, Uigars, Tuva, and buriats. after comminist system and Soviet Russion control over republic mongolia ruined, in early 90s we mongolians made a movie which covers her entire life. you can find it on internet with engilish subtitle I guess.
I recommend you that there are also a lot of woman in history of Mongols. for example, Sorhugtan beki khatun she was wife of Toliu 4th son of Genggis khaan, and mother of Khubilai khaan of Mongols yuan empire.
Wow, thanks so much, Munkh! Great info & suggestions. I’m off to look for that movie 🙂
can anyone tell me what month she was born in
ITS UNKNOWN =))) ITS A LOT OF YEARS AGO. SO WE CANT KNOW WHAT MONTH SHE BORN
Hi, does anyone knows where i could find the best possible information for Mandukhai’s costume info?
Hi Sarah, what a cool idea! You might want to search for “women’s traditional Mongolian clothing” or something similar. I found this site that might be helpful: https://www.discovermongolia.mn/mongolian-traditional-clothes/
Good luck!
If you remember, share a pic of your costume with us here, or on the AWH Facebook page. I’d love to see what you come up with 🙂
Maybe you can get some information about her costume from this movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1BN2hTUmNU
I loved learning about leading Mongolian women. I need help. I’m a heir of a Khatun that came on ship to Cape Town, South Africa.between 1915 -1930I, he would beGreat grand father from my dad’s saide of the family. I don’t know his first name just that he was from a monarh in Iraq Saudi Arabia Syria. He married and had 5 daughters. Fatima Khatun ,Khadija Khatun, Mham Khatun, sabira khtun and last Zohra Khatun and a son yousuf Khatun . He travelled through east inland as a missionary spreading Islamic teachings.
Thanks for sharing this. I’m actually working on a historical fiction series based on her life. She really was an amazing woman!
The book comes out in a month! Daughter of the Yellow Dragon…