Börte
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Börte Ujin was the Grand Empress of the Mongol Khan Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire. She was the first wife of Genghis Khan and was the head of the first Court of Genghis Khan.
She was from Kongirat tribe. Her father, Dei Seichen,was a chieftain of the Kongirat tribe. Her mother's name was Tchotan.This tribe was friendly to Temujin's tribe. It was decided, perhaps by others, that Börte was to marry Temujin (later Genghis Khan) at the marriageable age of 17. Temujin's father was murdered by the Tartars, an enemy group at the time of Temujin's father's tribe, when he was returning home from Börte's house after leaving Temujin with her. Later, she was abducted by Merkits. Temujin with Wang Khan and Jamuqa's armies rescued her from her captors. She was held captive for eight months, and she gave birth to Jochi right after she was rescued. Börte mothered Jochi, Chagatai, Ögedei, Tului and five daughters: the oldest one, Khojen Beki, was bethroted to Tusakha, son of Senggum, and grandson of Ong Khan, ruler of the Kerait tribe; she eventually married Botu, of the Ikire tribe, and widower of her paternal aunt Temulun. Alaqai Beki, married first to Alaqush Digit Quri, chieftain of the Ongüt tribe; then to his nephew and heir Jingue; and finally to her stepson Boyaohe; Tümelün, married to Chigu, son of Anchen, son of Dei Sechen, Borte's father; Altalün, married first to Olar, chieftain of the Olqunu’ut tribe; then to her stepson Taichu; and Checheyigen, married to Törölchi, son of Quduka beki, of the Oirat tribe. Although several of Ghenghis Khan's children by wives or concubines received some form of recognition in the empire, including land or military commands, including troops, only Borte's children were recognized as potential Great Khans. She, together with his mother Hoelun, was counted as one of his most trusted advisors.
She was revered after Temujin became the Great Khan and was crowned the grand empress. As Genghis Khan continued to expand his influence and empire, Borte remained behind and assisted Genghis Khan's brother Temuge in ruling the Mongol homeland.
Borte is often portrayed as a beautiful woman dressed in a white silken gown, with gold coins in her hair, holding a white lamb, and riding a white steed.
Few historical facts are known about her life, but Mongolians have many legends about her.
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