Who was Ogedei Khan? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Ogodei

Died At Age: 55

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Töregene Khatun (m. 1204)

mother: Börte Ujin

children: Godan Khan, Güyük Khan, Kadan Khan, Khashi, Khashi Khan, Khochu, Khorachar Khan, Melig Khan, Mieli, Sürkhakhan

Born Country: Mongolia

Emperors & Kings Mongolian Emperors & Kings

Died on: December 11, 1241

place of death: Mongol Empire

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Childhood & Early Life

Ogedei Khan was born in 1186 as the third son of the great Mongol leader Genghis Khan. His mother was Genghis Khan’s first wife, Borte Khatun. He was his father's favorite son.

From 1219 to 1225, Ogedei accompanied his father on various military campaigns. This also included the one against the Khwarazm Empire.

Before Genghis Khan passed away from natural causes in 1227, he divided his empire into four khanates with each son ruling one of them.

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Accession & Reign

After Genghis Khan’s death in 1227, Ogedei’s younger brother Tolui held the regency until 1229. Eventually, Ogedei was selected to be the supreme khan and was named the Khagan of the Mongols on 13 September 1229.

His biggest contribution to expanding the Mongol Empire was his conquest of eastern Europe. From 1237–41, the Mongols took control of many major eastern European cities, except Novgorod and Pskov. These successful invasions paved the way for the expansion of the empire. The invasions were also commanded by Batu Khan and Kadan, grandsons of Genghis Khan.

During this time, the Mongols had introduced gunpowder and associated weapons into Europe. In 1235, Ogedei ordered his nephew Batu Khan to conquer Russia. They arrived in Ryazan in December 1237. Although Ryazan refused to surrender, the Mongols stormed through other Russian cities. They managed to capture several major Russian cities between 1238 and 1240.

A Mongol force also invaded Kashmir and it soon became a Mongolian dependency in 1235. A few years later in 1241, another Mongol force entered the Indus valley and took control of Lahore. The city, which was ruled by the Delhi Sultanate, was finally besieged. However, later that same year, the Mongols withdrew from the Delhi Sultanate.

Family & Personal Life

Ogedei was married to numerous women. He first married Boraqchin and then took Töregene as his second wife. He also had other wives, including Möge Khatun and Jachin.

Ogedei had seven sons - Güyük, the 3rd Great Khan of the Mongols, Koden, Khochu, Qarachar, Qashi, Melig, and Kadan.

After his death, it was his widow Töregene who ruled as the regent until 1246. She later handed over the throne to her eldest son Güyük.

Ogedei was known for his alcoholism, and he had even entrusted some officials to keep him from consuming alcohol. However, he still managed to drink anyway.

Death & Legacy

In December 1241, while the Mongol forces were on their way to invade western Europe, Ogedei died because of an illness caused by his alcoholism. It is speculated that he died of a stroke or organ failure during one of his heavy drinking bouts.

His commanders learned about his death while marching towards Vienna. After getting this news, they abandoned their invasion and returned to Mongolia. This was the furthest west they were able to reach in Europe. Following Ogedei's death, his son Gyuk became the next Great Khan.

Thanks to Ogedei’s legacy, the Mongols went on more military campaigns in the ensuing decades, including to the Middle East, Korea, and Japan. They managed to build one of the largest empires ever in history.

Ogedei Khan Biography