Many say she was one of the most influential, strong and empowered women of the 13th century and that her like is difficult to find in those times and even later. Khutulun, the daughter of Qaidu, The Mongol Emperor who by 1280 ruled a major part of Central Asia, was born in 1260 and grew with 14 of her brothers.
Khutulun was against a comfortable sedentary lifestyle for herself and instead adopted the rugged and harsh lifestyle of a Mongol warrior. She was quick to learn and as she grew she became more than a handful at horsemanship and archery and was particularly good in the main vocation of the Mongols, warfare. So good was she that she bettered her brothers on most occasions and a time came when she became a regular on the battlefield, with her father wanting her beside him. Qaidu took her views seriously and consulted her on matters of strategic importance, warfare and governance.
However, what set her apart in history was her wrestling ability. Khutulun was big and strongly built and was gifted with exceptional wrestling skills. Women were obviously no match for her and so she trained and wrestled with men. Wrestlers from the kingdom and beyond came to fight her only to lose. Khutulun announced that she would marry the man who would beat her in a wrestling bout and if she won, the loser would be required to gift horses to her.
The bargain was accepted. Many came and lost and in turn Khutulun amassed a herd of ten thousand horses almost equivalent to that of the Emperor and became extremely rich in her own right. As time progressed Khutulun became the Wrestling Champion of the Empire who no man could beat. Khutulun’s legend grew far and wide and this particular skill of hers made her an irresistible piece of history.
Qaidu, seeing her daughter’s exploits, her potential and her popularity decided to name her as the next Head of the clan much to the disappointment and veiled opposition of his sons. Khutulun understood the under current and to prevent any damage to the kingdom very smartly gave up her position to her brother Orus and instead took the role of the Head of the Military. After Qaidu’s death, Khutulun defended the Empire and fought several battles until she died under mysterious circumstances in 1305 at the age of 45.
Khutulun’s life was extra ordinary for a woman in those times. She broke traditions and male bastions. She excelled in whatever she did and earned great respect and patronage from men and women in her Empire and beyond. She indeed was a true achiever. An inspiration no doubt not only for women but also men who wish to be achievers.
I hope women like Khutulun don’t remain a rarity. We need more women like her to give rise to a strong and progressive society bereft of taboos and outdated traditions.
Kudos to Khutulun, the moonlight , the woman who no man could beat.
Interesting fact