Mongol women had a number of rights that were unusual in the medieval world, and the rights of Mongol women were a major factor in the relative independence of Mongol women. The most important of the rights was the right to inherit property, which was unusual in the medieval world and which was a major factor in the ability of Mongol women to accumulate wealth. Other important rights included the right to divorce, the right to own property, the right to participate in religious and political life, and the right to ride and to hunt.
The rights of Mongol women were not, however, unlimited. The Mongol customary law gave the senior male of the family a significant degree of authority, and the women were expected to obey the senior male in many matters. The rights of Mongol women were also limited by the fact that the Mongol customary law was not codified, and the rights could be ignored or modified by the local authorities.
The Right to Inherit Property
The most important of the rights of Mongol women was the right to inherit property. The Mongol customary law allowed women to inherit property, and the property was divided among the heirs according to a fixed formula. The right to inherit property was unusual in the medieval world, and it was a major factor in the relative independence of Mongol women.
The right to inherit property was not, however, equal to the right of men. The Mongol customary law gave the senior male of the family a larger share of the inheritance, and the women received a smaller share. The right to inherit property was, however, still significant, and it allowed the women to accumulate wealth and to pass it on to their children.
The right to inherit property was a major factor in the relative independence of Mongol women, and it was one of the keys to the success of the Mongol state. The right to inherit property was also a major factor in the success of the Mongol economy, and it allowed the women to participate in the pastoral economy and the trade.
The Right to Divorce
The second most important of the rights of Mongol women was the right to divorce. The Mongol customary law allowed women to divorce their husbands, and the divorce was typically granted on a variety of grounds, including infidelity, abuse, and failure to provide for the family. The right to divorce was unusual in the medieval world, and it was a major factor in the relative independence of Mongol women.
The right to divorce was not, however, easy to exercise. The Mongol customary law required the woman to return the bride price and to give up her share of the marital property, and the divorce was typically a major financial setback for the woman. The right to divorce was, however, still significant, and it allowed the women to leave a marriage that was unsatisfactory.
The right to divorce was a major factor in the relative independence of Mongol women, and it was one of the keys to the success of the Mongol state. The right to divorce was also a major factor in the success of the Mongol family, since it allowed the women to leave a marriage that was abusive or unfaithful.
The Right to Own Property
The third most important of the rights of Mongol women was the right to own property. The Mongol customary law allowed women to own property, and the property could be used as the women wished. The right to own property was unusual in the medieval world, and it was a major factor in the relative independence of Mongol women.
The right to own property was not, however, equal to the right of men. The Mongol customary law required the property to be registered in the name of the senior male of the family, and the women could not dispose of the property without the consent of the senior male. The right to own property was, however, still significant, and it allowed the women to accumulate wealth and to use it as they wished.
The right to own property was a major factor in the relative independence of Mongol women, and it was one of the keys to the success of the Mongol state. The right to own property was also a major factor in the success of the Mongol economy, and it allowed the women to participate in the trade and the crafts.
The Right to Participate in Religious and Political Life
The fourth most important of the rights of Mongol women was the right to participate in religious and political life. The Mongol customary law allowed women to participate in religious rituals and political decisions, and the women often played important roles in the religious and political life of the community. The right to participate in religious and political life was unusual in the medieval world, and it was a major factor in the relative independence of Mongol women.
The right to participate in religious life was particularly important. The women of the household were responsible for the religious rituals, and they were often the keepers of the family shrines. The women also played important roles in the religious festivals, and they were often the chanters of the prayers.
The right to participate in political life was also important. The women of the household were often consulted on political decisions, and they were often the advisers of the senior male. The most famous example of this is the role of Sorghaghtani Beki, the wife of Tolui and the mother of Möngke, Kublai, Hulagu, and Ariq Böke, who was one of the most important political figures of the thirteenth century.
The Right to Ride and to Hunt
The fifth most important of the rights of Mongol women was the right to ride and to hunt. The Mongol customary law allowed women to ride horses and to hunt, and the women often participated in the hunts and the games that were central to the Mongol way of life. The right to ride and to hunt was unusual in the medieval world, and it was a major factor in the relative independence of Mongol women.
The right to ride and to hunt was particularly important in the military life of the Mongols. The women of the household often accompanied the men on campaign, and they often played important roles in the military operations. The most famous example of this is the role of Khutulun, the great-great-granddaughter of Genghis Khan and a famous warrior princess, who was renowned for her skill in battle and for her strength.
Sources
- Jack Weatherford, The Secret History of the Mongol Queens (New York, 2010).
- Anatoly M. Khazanov, Nomads and the Outside World (2nd ed., Madison, 1994).
- David Morgan, The Mongols (2nd ed., Oxford, 2007).