Khutulun

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Khutulun was the niece of Kublai Khan, and was described as being a superb warrior; one who could ride into enemy ranks and snatch a captive as easily as a hawk snatches a chicken. She would challenge suitors who wanted to marry her to wrestling match, in which the prospective groom would have to forfeit 100 horses if he lost. She gained 10,000 horses this way and never married. Her father, Khaidu, was most pleased by her abilities, and she accompanied him on military campaigns. Marco Polo and Rashid al-Din both wrote of her.

[edit] References

• "Warriors: Asian Women in Asian Society" from Colorq.org
• "Heroines: Mongolian Women" from Womeninworldhistory.com
• Rossabi, Morris; Khubilai Khan; pp. 104-105, 252; ISBN 0-520-06740-1