Kulan

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Kulan or Khulan, was an empress of Genghis Khan and head of the second Court of Genghis Khan. Her status in the Mongol Empire was second only to Grand Empress Borte.

Kulan was a daughter of a Merkit chief. She was offered to Genghis Khan as a gift after the chief's surrender. Genghis Khan was enamored of Kulan and following his coronation as Khan, installed her as an empress. She had a son, Gelejian, with Genghis Khan, and Gelejian's status was second only to Borte's four sons as he grew up. Genghis Khan was very fond of Kulan, and most of the time she was the only empress accompanying him on many campaigns, notably the western campaign against the Khwarezmid Empire. She continued to travel with Genghis Khan until she died during one of Genghis Khan's campaign against India. She was buried under thick ice.

As one of many wives of Genghis Khan, Kulan held a special place both in the Mongol Empire and in Genghis Khan's heart.