Rescue of Börte

The Rescue of Börte was the rescue of Lady Börte, Genghis Khan's first wife and was carried out several months after her abduction at the hands of the Merkits. Her abduction was in retaliation for the abduction of Genghis Khan's mother Hoelun by his father Yesugei. Information about Börte's rescue comes from historical sources such as The Secret History of the Mongols.

Wax sculptures of Genghis Khan (left) and his wife Börte Khatun in the Museum of the Genghis Khan Equestrian Monument Complex in Mongolia.

Abduction

Soon after Börte and Temüjin (later known as Genghis Khan) were married, the Three Merkits attacked their family camp at dawn. Temüjin, and his family and friends were able to escape on horses, but there was no horse left for Börte to escape on. She was taken captive by the Merkits and given to one of their warriors as a spoil of war. The raid was in retaliation for the abduction of Hoelun, Temüjin's mother, by his father Yesügei many years earlier.[1]

Rescue

Temüjin was deeply distressed by the abduction of his wife and remarked that his bed “was made empty” and his breast was “torn apart”.[2] He was determined to bring Börte back, and rescued her several months later with the aid of his allies Wang Khan and Jamukha. Some scholars describe this event as one of the key crossroads in Temüjin's life, which moved him along the path towards becoming a conqueror.[3][4]

“As the pillaging and plundering went on, Temüjin moved among the people that were hurriedly escaping, calling, ‘Börte, Börte!’ And so he came upon her, for Lady Börte was among those fleeing people. She heard the voice of Temüjin and, recognizing it, she got off the cart and came running towards him. Although it was still night, Lady Börte and Qo’aqčin both recognized Temüjin’s reins and tether and grabbed them. It was moonlight; he looked at them, recognized Lady Börte, and they fell into each other’s arms.”[2] -The Secret History of the Mongols

Börte had been held captive for eight months, and she gave birth to Jochi after she was rescued, leaving doubt as to who the father of the child was, because her captor took her as a "wife", and therefore could have possibly impregnated her. However, Genghis let Jochi remain with his family and claimed him as his own son. He was supposed to be Genghis' successor but because of his doubt of being Jochi's real father, his brothers would not accept him as ruler and Genghis had to choose another son. Jochi then became leader of the Golden Horde.

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References
  1. Onon, Urgunge (ed.). The secret history of the Mongols; The life and times of Chinggis Khan (Chapter 2) (PDF). sections 98–102.
  2. Rachewiltz, Igor de (December 2015). "The Secret History of the Mongols: A Mongolian Epic Chronicle of the Thirteenth Century". Western Washington University.
  3. "Historic Kidnapping Cases That Will Make You Want to Hold Your Loved Ones Closer". HistoryCollection.co. 2018-10-03. Retrieved 2019-07-28.
  4. Editors, History com. "Genghis Khan". HISTORY. Retrieved 2019-07-28.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
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