Orghana

Orghana (Orakina or Ergene Khatun) was an Oirat princess of the Mongol Empire and Empress of the Chagatai Khanate. She was a daughter of Torolchi, chief of the Oirats and Checheyikhen, daughter of Genghis Khan. She served as regent in the name of her infant son from 1252 to 1261. Early life She married Qara Hülëgü, a grandson of Chagatai Khan. Her husband was enthroned as Chagatayid Khan in 1242 after deaths of both Ögedei and Chagatai. However, Güyük Khan replaced Qara Hülëgü with his uncle Yesü Möngke in 1246. Regent When the Toluid family overthrew the Ögedeids, Qara Hülëgü supported Möngke Khan in 1251. Möngke reappointed Qara Hülëgü khan of the Chagatai Khanate and executed Yesü Möngke. However, he died on the way and Möngke permitted his widow Orghana to serve as regent in the name of her infant son. She ruled the Khanate from 1252 to 1261, nine years. According to Rashid al-Din, she organized a banquet for Hulagu when his army was marching through Central Asia to Iran in 1255.