Boroqul (, also known as Boroghul, Boro'ul, and Borokhula; –1217) was one of the foremost generals of Temüjin (later
Genghis Khan
''Chinggis Khaan'' ͡ʃʰiŋɡɪs xaːŋbr /> Mongol script: ''Chinggis Qa(gh)an/ Chinggis Khagan''
, birth_name = Temüjin
, successor = Tolui (as regent) Ögedei Khan
, spouse =
, issue =
, house = Borjigin ...
) during his
rise to power
Rise or RISE may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional entities
* '' Rise: The Vieneo Province'', an internet-based virtual world
* Rise FM, a fictional radio station in the video game ''Grand Theft Auto 3''
* Rise Kujikawa, a video ...
. Raised as a
foundling
Foundling may refer to:
* An abandoned child, see child abandonment
* Foundling hospital, an institution where abandoned children were cared for
** Foundling Hospital, Dublin, founded 1704
** Foundling Hospital, Cork, founded 1737
** Foundling Hos ...
by Temüjin's mother
Hoelun
Hoelun (also Hoelun Üjin; Mongolian: ; Cyrillic: Өэлүн үжин, Өэлүн эх, ''Mother Hoelun'', Öülen/Oulen; ), 1140-1221 was the mother of Genghis Khan and the wife of his father Yesügei, the chief of the Khamag Mongol confede ...
, he won great renown by saving the life of Temüjin's son and future heir
Ögedei after the
Battle of Khalakhaljid Sands in 1203.
In recognition of this and other achievements, Boroqul became a member of Genghis' inner council and one of his most trusted advisors alongside
Bo'orchu Bo'orchu ( mn, Боорчи, ''Boorchi'') was one of the first and most loyal of Genghis Khan's friends and allies. He first met Genghis Khan as a boy. At that time, Genghis Khan (then Temujin) was looking for his stolen horses. Bo'orchu helped to ...
and
Muqali
Muqali ( mn, Мухулай; 1170–1223), also spelt Mukhali and Mukhulai, was a Mongol general ("bo'ol", "one who is bound" in service) who became a trusted and esteemed commander under Genghis Khan. The son of Gü'ün U'a, a Jalair leader who ...
. Boroqul died on a campaign against the northern
Tumed
The Tümed (Tumad, ; "The many or ten thousands" derived from Tumen) are a Mongol subgroup. They live in Tumed Left Banner, district of Hohhot and Tumed Right Banner, district of Baotou in China. Most engage in sedentary agriculture, living in m ...
tribes in 1217, but his achievements meant his clan remained prominent leaders in the
Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire of the 13th and 14th centuries was the largest contiguous land empire in history. Originating in present-day Mongolia in East Asia, the Mongol Empire at its height stretched from the Sea of Japan to parts of Eastern Europe ...
for centuries.
Life and career
Boroqul first appears in the historical record shortly after
Temüjin
''Chinggis Khaan'' ͡ʃʰiŋɡɪs xaːŋbr /> Mongol script: ''Chinggis Qa(gh)an/ Chinggis Khagan''
, birth_name = Temüjin
, successor = Tolui (as regent)Ögedei Khan
, spouse =
, issue =
, house = Borjigin
, ...
's marriage to his wife
Börte
Börte (simply Borte, also Börte Üjin; Mongolian: ; Cyrillic: Бөртэ үжин; c. 1161–1230) was the first wife of Temüjin, who became Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire. Börte became the head of the first Court of Genghis ...
in around 1177 or 1178. ''
The Secret History of the Mongols
''The Secret History of the Mongols'' (Middle Mongol: ''Mongɣol‑un niɣuca tobciyan''; Traditional Mongolian: , Khalkha Mongolian: , ; ) is the oldest surviving literary work in the Mongolian language. It was written for the Mongol royal fa ...
'', a traditional Mongol account of Temüjin's rise to power, notes that Boroqul was originally from the Üüshin lineage of the
Jurkin tribe and was raised by Temüjin's mother
Hoelun
Hoelun (also Hoelun Üjin; Mongolian: ; Cyrillic: Өэлүн үжин, Өэлүн эх, ''Mother Hoelun'', Öülen/Oulen; ), 1140-1221 was the mother of Genghis Khan and the wife of his father Yesügei, the chief of the Khamag Mongol confede ...
as a
foundling
Foundling may refer to:
* An abandoned child, see child abandonment
* Foundling hospital, an institution where abandoned children were cared for
** Foundling Hospital, Dublin, founded 1704
** Foundling Hospital, Cork, founded 1737
** Foundling Hos ...
after being saved by
Jebe
Jebe (or Jebei, mn, Зэв, ''Zev''; birth name: Jirqo'adai (Modern Mongolian: Zurgadai), mn, Зургаадай, ) (death: approximately 1224) was one of the most prominent Noyans (generals) of Genghis Khan. He belonged to the Besud clan, ...
, a leading Mongol general. Serving as Temüjin's ''
nökor'' (personal companion; ''nökod''), Boroqul prospered under his new liege, soon becoming the highest-ranking ''nökor'' after Temüjin's great friend
Bo'orchu Bo'orchu ( mn, Боорчи, ''Boorchi'') was one of the first and most loyal of Genghis Khan's friends and allies. He first met Genghis Khan as a boy. At that time, Genghis Khan (then Temujin) was looking for his stolen horses. Bo'orchu helped to ...
.

Although he led troops in many actions during his liege's
rise to power
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Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional entities
* '' Rise: The Vieneo Province'', an internet-based virtual world
* Rise FM, a fictional radio station in the video game ''Grand Theft Auto 3''
* Rise Kujikawa, a video ...
, the deed which won Boroqul the most acclaim occurred shortly after the
Battle of Khalakhaljid Sands in 1203. Having been betrayed by his ally
Toghrul
Toghrul ( mn, Тоорил хан ''Tooril han''; ), also known as Wang Khan or Ong Khan ( ''Wan han''; ; died 1203) was a khan of the Keraites. He was the blood brother ( anda) of the Mongol chief Yesugei and served as an important early patron ...
, Temüjin suffered a decisive loss on the Khalakhaljid Sands and was forced to withdraw. During the battle, his seventeen year-old son
Ögedei had been badly wounded by an arrow in the neck; Boroqul saved Ögedei's life by continuously sucking
clotted blood from the wound during the night ride to Temüjin's camp. When they arrived shortly after Bo'orchu, the ''Secret History'' notes, "blood
astrickling from the corners of
oroqul'smouth." According to the ''Secret History'', his wife Altani also gained renown for saving Temüjin's youngest son
Tolui
Tolui (also Toluy, Tului; , meaning: "the mirror"; – 1232) was a Mongol khan, the fourth son of Genghis Khan by his chief khatun, Börte. At his father's death in 1227, his '' ulus'', or territorial inheritance, was the Mongol homelands on ...
from a Tatar kidnapping attempt, although another account recounts that Tolui was saved by his adopted brother
Shigi Qutuqu
Shigi Qutuqu ( mn, ᠰᠢᠬᠢᠬᠣᠲᠣᠭ ; Шихихутуг, translit=, Shikhikhutug; ) was a high-ranking minister of the Mongol Empire in its early years and a stepbrother of Genghis Khan, the empire's founder.
Life
According to '' ...
and a nearby
Mongol sheepdog.
As a result of these and other actions, Boroqul was honoured greatly at the
kurultai
Kurultai ( Mongolian: , Хуралдай, ''Khuraldai'') or ; Kazakh: Құрылтай, ''Qūryltai''; tt-Cyrl, Корылтай, ; ba, Ҡоролтай, ; az, Qurultay; tk, Gurultaý was a political and military council of ancient Mongol an ...
Temüjin called in May 1206. He received a selection of rewards and exemptions, bettered only by those given Bo'orchu and
Muqali
Muqali ( mn, Мухулай; 1170–1223), also spelt Mukhali and Mukhulai, was a Mongol general ("bo'ol", "one who is bound" in service) who became a trusted and esteemed commander under Genghis Khan. The son of Gü'ün U'a, a Jalair leader who ...
, which included exemptions from the
death penalty, and positions including
cupbearer
A cup-bearer was historically an officer of high rank in royal courts, whose duty was to pour and serve the drinks at the royal table. On account of the constant fear of plots and intrigues (such as poisoning), a person must have been regarded as ...
and
high steward.
Rashid al-Din Hamadani
Rashīd al-Dīn Ṭabīb ( fa, رشیدالدین طبیب; 1247–1318; also known as Rashīd al-Dīn Faḍlullāh Hamadānī, fa, links=no, رشیدالدین فضلالله همدانی) was a statesman, historian and physician in Ilk ...
recorded in his ''
Jami' al-tawarikh
The ''Jāmiʿ al-tawārīkh'' ( Persian/ Arabic: , ) is a work of literature and history, produced in the Mongol Ilkhanate. Written by Rashid al-Din Hamadani (1247–1318 AD) at the start of the 14th century, the breadth of coverage of the work ...
'' that Boroqul and Bo'orchu were told that Temüjin, now entitled Genghis Khan, held them in such respect that he would never issue them with specific military orders, unlike other generals such as Muqali, Jebe, and
Subutai
Subutai ( Classical Mongolian: ''Sübügätäi'' or ''Sübü'ätäi''; Modern Mongolian: Сүбээдэй, ''Sübeedei''. ; ; c. 1175–1248) was a Mongol general and the primary military strategist of Genghis Khan and Ögedei Khan. He directed ...
. The two also shared titular command of the ''
keshig Kheshig ( Mongolian: Khishig, Keshik, Khishigten for "favored", "blessed") were the imperial guard for Mongol royalty in the Mongol Empire, particularly for rulers like Genghis Khan and his wife Börte. Their primary purpose was to act as bodyguards ...
'', the Mongol imperial guard, with Muqali and Chilaun. Genghis named these four as his "steeds", and together with his "hounds" (Subutai, Jebe,
Jelme Jelme ( mn, Зэлмэ, ''Zelme'', ; 1160 – 1207) was a general and close companion of Genghis Khan. He was the older brother of Subutai and was of the Uriankhan clan.Richard A. Gabriel, ''Subotai the Valiant: Genghis Khan's Greatest General'', ...
, and ) and the fellow foundling
Shigi Qutuqu
Shigi Qutuqu ( mn, ᠰᠢᠬᠢᠬᠣᠲᠣᠭ ; Шихихутуг, translit=, Shikhikhutug; ) was a high-ranking minister of the Mongol Empire in its early years and a stepbrother of Genghis Khan, the empire's founder.
Life
According to '' ...
, they formed the khan's "paladins", or
inner council. Boroqul would command the 38,000 troops of the Mongol right wing with Bo'orchu, and as the khan's most trusted advisors, they and Muqali played a key role in advocating for Genghis' brother
Qasar
Qasar (also spelled Hasar or Khasar, and also known as Jo'chi Qasar; Mongolian: Жочи Хасар) was one of Genghis Khan's three full brothers. According to the ''Jami' al-Tawarikh'', his given name was Jo'chi and he got the nickname Khasar ...
during his dispute with the
shaman
Shamanism is a religious practice that involves a practitioner (shaman) interacting with what they believe to be a Spirit world (Spiritualism), spirit world through Altered state of consciousness, altered states of consciousness, such as tranc ...
Kokochu.
In 1217, Boroqul set out to command an expedition against the northern
Tumed
The Tümed (Tumad, ; "The many or ten thousands" derived from Tumen) are a Mongol subgroup. They live in Tumed Left Banner, district of Hohhot and Tumed Right Banner, district of Baotou in China. Most engage in sedentary agriculture, living in m ...
tribes, despite having a strong premonition of his impending death if he went. He achieved initial successes against the tribes, who had captured the Mongol general
Qutuqa Beki
Qutuqa Beki (; ) — was a 13th century chief of the Oirats who played major role on formation of Mongol Empire.
Biography
The first mentions of Qutuqa Beki in ''The Secret History of the Mongols'' date back to 1201, when a number of rulers of ...
, but was ambushed and killed away from the main force by Tumed scouts. Incensed at the news of his companion's death, Genghis made preparations to personally lead the campaign, but was dissuaded from this course by Muqali and Bo'orchu; he instead sent his eldest son
Jochi
Jochi Khan ( Mongolian: mn, Зүчи, ; kk, Жошы, Joşy جوشى; ; crh, Cuçi, Джучи, جوچى; also spelled Juchi; Djochi, and Jöchi c. 1182– February 1227) was a Mongol army commander who was the eldest son of Temüjin (aka G ...
, accompanied by the general
Dorbei Doqshin, who together managed to subjugate the Tumed during a gruelling
winter campaign in 1217–18. A hundred Tumeds were sacrificed in vengeance for Boroqul's death.
Genghis took responsibility for the welfare of Boroqul's children, awarding them honours and taking an interest in their careers; the Üüshin clan to which he belonged became a powerful
aristocratic family
Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy. It is normally ranked immediately below royalty. Nobility has often been an estate of the realm with many exclusive functions and characteristics. The characteris ...
in the
Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire of the 13th and 14th centuries was the largest contiguous land empire in history. Originating in present-day Mongolia in East Asia, the Mongol Empire at its height stretched from the Sea of Japan to parts of Eastern Europe ...
. His family continued to receive the titular command of the ''keshig'' under
Kublai Khan
Kublai ; Mongolian script: ; (23 September 1215 – 18 February 1294), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Shizu of Yuan and his regnal name Setsen Khan, was the founder of the Yuan dynasty of China and the fifth khagan-emperor of the ...
;
Öchicher, one of Boroqul's descendants, managed to amass great personal wealth in this position in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
References
Sources
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Boroqul
Generals of the Mongol Empire
Year of birth unknown
13th-century generals
1217 deaths