Tulun Beg Khanum

Tulun Beg Khanum (died 1386) was a princess of the Golden Horde in the 1300s. She was a very special ruler because she was a woman. It was rare for a woman to lead the Golden Horde. Her name was even put on coins made in 1370 and 1371. These coins were minted in cities like Sarai and Mokhshi.

Tulun Beg was likely put in charge by a powerful general named Mamai. She ruled for a short time between two other leaders. She was probably the daughter of Khan Berdi Beg and was married to Mamai. This means she was one of the last rulers of the Golden Horde directly related to Batu Khan.

After Mamai was defeated in battle, Tulun Beg married the new leader, Tokhtamysh. Sadly, she was later involved in a plot against Tokhtamysh. She passed away in 1386.

Who Was Tulun Beg Khanum?

Tulun Beg Khanum was a princess from the Golden Horde. This was a large and powerful empire in Eastern Europe and Asia. She lived in the second half of the 14th century. Her time as a ruler was quite unusual. Most leaders of the Golden Horde were men.

She was likely the daughter of Khan Berdi Beg. This made her part of a very important family. She was also married to Mamai, a very strong general. Mamai had a lot of power in the Golden Horde.

Her Time as a Ruler

Tulun Beg Khanum ruled the Golden Horde from 1370 to 1371. She was put on the throne by Mamai. He needed someone to rule after the death of Khan ʿAbdallāh. Tulun Beg was a temporary leader. She held power until Mamai's next chosen ruler, Muḥammad-Sulṭān, was ready.

Her name on coins shows she was a real ruler. This was a big deal for a woman at that time. It shows she had official power. Mamai replaced her with Muḥammad-Sulṭān in late 1371 or early 1372.

Life After Ruling

Mamai faced a big defeat in 1380. He lost a major battle against the Russians at Kulikovo. Soon after, he was defeated by a new Khan, Tokhtamysh. Mamai fled to the Crimea. He was later killed by Tokhtamysh's agents.

Before Mamai's death, Tulun Beg and other members of Mamai's family were captured. They were taken by Tokhtamysh after a battle. Tulun Beg then married Tokhtamysh. He treated Mamai's family with respect.

Later Years and Death

In 1386, Tulun Beg Khanum was involved in a secret plot. This plot was against her new husband, Tokhtamysh. The details of this plot are not very clear.

A Russian record from that time, called the Rogožsk Chronicle, states what happened. It says, "This same year, Tsar Tokhtamysh himself killed his own Tsaritsa, named Tovlunbek." This means she died in 1386.

Around this time, some coins appeared with the name of her father, Berdi Beg. He had been dead for a long time. This might be connected to the events surrounding Tulun Beg's death.

Genealogy

• Genghis Khan
• Jochi
• Batu Khan
• Toqoqan
• Mengu-Timur
• Toghrilcha
• Uzbeg Khan
• Jani Beg
• Berdi Beg
• Tulun Beg Khanum