Khaidu (ruler)

Khaidu (c. 1040-1100) was a Mongol ruler from the Borjigin clan who was the great-great-grandson of Bodonchar Munkhag (c. 850-900). Khaidu's great-grandson was Khabul Khan (c. 1100-1148). Khabul Khan's great-grandson was Genghis Khan (1162-1227).

Life

Khaidu is mentioned in the Secret History of the Mongols, the Yuanshi and the Jami al-Tawarikh. He was born around 1040 as the youngest of the eight sons of Queen Monolun the widowed wife of Khachi Khulug son of Menen Dutum. At this time the Liao Dynasty (907-1125) of the Mongolic Khitan had control over Mongolia, although the northernmost regions were difficult to keep under control. In the 1050s, the Khitans of the Liao Dynasty attacked the Jalair, a Darligin Mongol tribe living at the Kerulen River in far-eastern Mongolia. The Jalair fled to the Borjigin Mongols led by Queen Monolun (Nomulun in the Secret History) the mother of Khaidu. They killed Monolun (c. 1000-1055) and all her sons except young Khaidu who was hidden by his uncle Nachin. Khaidu later conquered the Jalair and made them his subjects.