Bayan Khutugh

Bayan Khutugh (1324–1365), also Bayan Qudu (Chinese: 伯顏忽都; Pai-yen Hu-tu; Momgolian script: ᠪᠠᠶᠠᠨᠬᠤᠲᠤᠭ), was an empress consort of the Yuan dynasty as the second wife of Toghon Temür (Emperor Huizong). Her father was Bolod Temür.[1]

Bayan Khutugh
伯颜忽都
Empress consort of the Yuan dynasty
Tenure1337–1365
PredecessorDanashri
SuccessorEmpress Gi
Born1324
Died1365 (aged 40–41)
SpouseToghon Temür
HouseOnggirat
(Hongjila clan)
FatherBolod Temür

According to the History of Yuan, Bayan Qudu was known for being "frugal, unjealous, and thoroughly observant of ritual and regulation," which was a sharp contrast to the character and nature of the emperor's favourite concubine, Lady Ki (later known as Öljei Quduq).[2]

Marriage

In July 1335, Toghon Temür's first empress, Danashiri, daughter of the prime minister El Temür, was deposed and later sentenced to death by hanging in Dadu for her involvement in the failed rebellion led by her brother, Tanggici (T’ang Chi’i-shih).[3]

It was not until 1337 that Toghon Temür remarried, this time to a girl of the influential Khongirad tribe, Bayan Qudu. Her enthronement as empress took place on 18 April 1337, when she was just thirteen years of age.

Empress

According to traditional sources, Bayan Qudu was known for being plain and of simple habits, preferring to lead a retiring life, presumably due to the fact that Toghon Temür showed her very little attention.

However, on a journey to Shangdu, just 320 kilometres (200 miles) north of Dadu (Beijing), Toghon Temür desired to pay his empress a visit. He sent a eunuch as an emissary to express this wish. The austere empress replied, “The evening is not a time for Your Excellency to be going back and forth.” The eunuch returned to his master and reported the empress's words. Toghon Temür sent him back two more times, only to be turned away again each time. This led the emperor to think more highly of Bayan Qudu's virtue.[4]

Death

On 8 September 1365, Bayan Qudu died, aged only forty-two.[5] Lady Ki is reported to have looked over the late empress's tattered, plain clothing. Laughing, she remarked, “How can an empress and principal wife wear such attire?”[6]

Notes
  1. L. Carrington Goodrich, L. Chaoying Fang (1976). Dictionary of Ming Biography, 1368-1644: Volume I. Columbia University Press. pp. 1291–1292.
  2. Keith McMahon (2016). Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 66–67.
  3. L. Carrington Goodrich, L. Chaoying Fang (1976). Dictionary of Ming Biography, 1368-1644: Volume I. Columbia University Press. pp. 1291–1292.
  4. Keith McMahon (2016). Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 66–67.
  5. L. Carrington Goodrich, L. Chaoying Fang (1976). Dictionary of Ming Biography, 1368-1644: Volume I. Columbia University Press. pp. 1291–1292.
  6. Keith McMahon (2016). Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 66–67.
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