Doquz Khatun


Doquz Khatun was a 13th-century princess of the Keraites who was married to Hulagu Khan, founder of the Ilkhanate.

Life

She was a granddaughter of Keraite khan Toghrul, through his son Uyku or Abaqu. She was given to Tolui at first following demise of her grandfather. But 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, the Mongols massacred tens of thousands of inhabitants, but through the influence of Doquz, the Christians were spared.
Doquz Khatun was a 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 advantage, by claiming that Mongol princesses such as Doquz and her aunt Sorghaghtani Beki were daughters of the legendary Prester John.
She was a supporter of her step-son Abaqa and retained her influential position even after death of her husband. She secured succession of Denha I to patriarchal throne of Church of the East in her capacity. She died on 16 June 1265, 4 months later than her husband. Although Stephen Orbeliani later claimed that she was poisoned by Shams al-Din Juvayni.

Works cited