Altun Jan Khatun

Altun Jan Khatun
Empress of the Seljuk Empire
Tenure 1037 - 1063
Born Khwarezm, Khwarazmian Empire
Died 1060
Zanjan, Seljuk Empire
Burial Rey
Spouse Tughril
Issue From her first husband:
Anoushiravan
Full name
Altun Jan
House House of Seljuq (by marriage)
Religion Islam

Altun Jan Khatun (died 1060; meaning "Golden soul") was the Empress of the Seljuk Empire as the first wife and chief consort of Tughril, the founder of the Seljuk Empire, ruling from 1037 to 1063.

Early life

Altun Jan Khatun was a Turkish woman, possibly from Khwarezm. Before becoming Tughril Beg's wife she had been married to the Khwarezm Shah. Her son by that marriage, Anoushiravan, apparently remained with her after she married Tughril Beg.[1]

Toghril Beg is reported to have consulted his chief wife Altun Jan in affairs, Sibt ibn al-Jawzi states that she was a religious woman, much given to charitable works, of good judgement and firm determination.[2][3] When Tughril Beg went to Hamadan in 1058 to deal with the revolt of Ibrahim Inal, he sent Altun Jan, Anoushiravan and al-Kunduri to Baghdad. Al-Kunduri appears on this occasion to have considered replacing Tughril Bey by Anoushiravan. Anoushiravan rebelled but was captured. He was imprisoned in Rey and was killed after Tughril's death.[4]

Death and aftermath

She died of edema in 1059 in Zanjan. Tughril grieved for her greatly, and her bier was carried to Rey, where she was buried.[5][6] She held estates in Iran. Just before her death she bequeathed her states, assignments and pensions to the Caliph's daughter. Tughril assigned these to the latter when the marriage contract between him and the caliph's daughter was finally concluded in 1062.[7] According to some sources it was her who requested Tughril to marry the caliph's daughter at her deathbed.

References

Bibliography

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