Mongol Queens uncovers the history of the women who led or co-led the Mongolian Empire during 1206-1509. Throughout the reading, the author believes the accomplishments of the Mongol women were erased from a biography by Genghis Khan. Khan wrote the biography for the Mongol royal family. However, Weatherford used a variety of sources to discover the roles and the fates of the female descendants of Khan. Mongol Queens tell us the roles of the women in the Mongol Empire.
Weatherford first tells us about Alaqai, daughter of Khan, who governed the Onggud people after they were conquered by her father. Alaqai had to win the loyalty of the Onggud people after her husband was killed. When her father got word on this, he tried to return for retribution.
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The first sections tells us about the "Tiger Queens of the Silk Route" during 1206-1241. This was when Khan chose many women to be leaders of the territory he conquered. We learn about Khan's early life and rise to power, and the roles women played in Mongol society. During this time the woman were expected to handle all financial affairs in the family and rule at home.
The second part of the book is about "The Shattered Jade Realm" during 1241-1470. It addresses the backlash against the powerful women that happened after the death of Khan. It describes the horrible events and violence that was committed after Khan death. There was child abuse, rape, torture, and murders. The women fought back with their granddaughters and great-granddaughters of Khan taking the power, mostly the wives of the Geryeo Kingds of Korea.
The third part was "Wolf Mother" during 1470-1509. It tells the story of Mandukahi, a descendant of Khan who was married to a leader who died young. She was challenged to marry one of her husband's rivals or becoming a concubine of the Chinese Emperor and thus placing her people under the Chinese rule. However, she took a third option, she revealed a young boy who was a direct descendant of Khan and this the rightful heir. Since he was still young, this made her the de facto ruler. She raised the boy, Dayan, to rule and both of them united the then-scattered Mongol