Empress Bulughan was one of the most powerful empresses of the Yuan Dynasty. She was the second empress consort of Temur Khan (also known as Emperor Chenzong of the Yuan Dynasty). Because Temur Khan was often ill, Empress Bulughan was the unofficial ruler.[1] During her time as the unofficial ruler, Empress Bulughan brought peace and stability to her empire.[2] After Temur Khan’s death, she experienced a sudden downfall and was forced to meet a tragic end.[3]
The birthdate of Empress Bulughan is unknown.[4] She was from the Baya’ut Tribe.[5] Her father was Prince Consort Torgus Kuregen.[6] Her mother is unknown.[7]
In 1299, Emperor Temur’s first empress, Shirindari, passed away.[8] Lady Bulughan married Emperor Temur.[9] She was invested as empress.[10] She gave birth to a son named Prince Deshou.[11] It was said that Empress Bulughan was greatly loved by Emperor Temur.[12] He often sought her advice on state affairs.[13] Therefore, Empress Bulughan heavily influenced Emperor Temur’s reign.[14]
Emperor Temur was often ill because of his excessive fondness for alcohol.[15] His government was very inefficient and was filled with corruption.[16] Because of his illness, Emperor Temur became unable to handle state affairs.[17] Instead, Empress Bulughan began running the state, and she became the unofficial ruler.[18] During her unofficial reign, Empress Bulughan rid the court of corrupt ministers.[19] She placed her trust in Harghasun (the Grand Councillor of the Right).[20]
One day, Empress Bulughan visited the Wanning Temple (which had been completed prior to her visit).[21] Empress Bulughan noticed that there were secret erotic Buddha images in the temple.[22] Empress Bulughan requested that these images be taken down.[23] In 1304, an earthquake struck Pingyang.[24] Empress Bulughan summoned Isa Kelemechi to see what the earthquake meant as an omen and to assess how badly it damaged Pingyang.[25] These two events show Empress Bulughan’s care and well-being for her people.[26]
In 1305, Emperor Temur chose Prince Deshou to be the Crown Prince.[27] On 3 January 1306, Crown Prince Deshou died. His death left the Crown Prince position vacant.[28] On 10 February 1307, Emperor Temur died. Because Emperor Temur did not name a successor, two of his nephews, Khaishan (Prince of Huaining) and Prince Ayurbarwada, became serious candidates to the throne.[29] Empress Bulughan feared for the loss of her authority and power.[30] Prince Khaishan was not a threat to her because he was far away from the capital.[31] However, Empress Bulughan banished Prince Ayurbarwada and his mother, Princess Targi, to Huaizhou (modern-day Biyang in Henan Province).[32] Empress Bulughan began her regency.[33] However, she favoured Emperor Temur’s cousin, Anada (the Prince of Anxi).[34]
Empress Bulughan’s regency was supported by Aquitai (Grand Councillor of the Left).[35] However, she was opposed by Harghasun.[36] He postponed important documents until Prince Ayurbarwada returned to the capital.[37] Once Prince Ayurbarwada returned to the capital, he arrested Empress Bulughan and Prince Anada for treason.[38] Prince Ayurbarwada also gave up his claim as emperor and gave it to Prince Khaishan.[39] On 21 June 1307, Khaishan ascended the throne as Emperor Wuzong. Prince Ayurbarwada became the Crown Prince.[40] He would later ascend the throne as Emperor Renzong.
In 1307, Prince Anada was executed.[41] Empress Bulughan was exiled to Dong’an Prefecture (modern-day Langfang Municipality in Hebei Province).[42] Once she arrived there, she was charged with “violating the law of the ancestors”[43] by committing adultery with Prince Anada.[44] After she was charged, Empress Bulughan was forced to commit suicide.[45]
Empress Bulughan has often been seen as “a victim of patriarchal and imperial society.”[46] She was forced to meet a miserable end because she chose the wrong candidate for the throne.[47] However, historians have admired Empress Bulughan and have considered her state policies to be “just and appropriate.”[48] The History of the Yuan Dynasty wrote of her, “In action she did not harass, and she was known for her tranquillity.”[49] Even though Empress Bulughan was a loser in imperial politics, she was a skilful and talented stateswoman.[50] It is no wonder that Empress Bulughan continued to be admired by her people.[51]
Sources:
McMahon, K. (2016). Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing. NY: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Xu, S. & Burns, J. (trans.). (2014). “Bulughan, Empress of Emperor Chengzong of Yuan.” Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618 – 1644. (Xiao, H. Lee, L., Ed. & Wiles, S., Ed.) NY: Routledge. pp. 16-18.
[1] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[2] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[3] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[4] Xu, 2014
[5] Xu, 2014
[6] Xu, 2014
[7] Xu, 2014
[8] McMahon, 2016
[9] McMahon, 2016
[10] McMahon, 2016
[11] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[12] Xu, 2014
[13] Xu, 2014
[14] Xu, 2014
[15] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[16] McMahon, 2016
[17] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[18] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[19] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[20] Xu, 2014
[21] Xu, 2014
[22] Xu, 2014
[23] Xu, 2014
[24] Xu, 2014
[25] Xu, 2014
[26] Xu, 2014
[27] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[28] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[29] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[30] Xu, 2014
[31] Xu, 2014
[32] Xu, 2014
[33] Xu, 2014
[34] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[35] Xu, 2014
[36] Xu, 2014
[37] Xu, 2014
[38] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[39] Xu, 2014
[40] Xu, 2014
[41] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[42] Xu, 2014
[43] Xu, 2014, p. 17
[44] Xu, 2014
[45] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[46] Xu, 2014, p. 17
[47] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[48] McMahon, 2016, p. 139
[49] Xu, 2014, pp. 16-17
[50] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
[51] Xu, 2014; McMahon, 2016
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