Wives of sultans and princes played a political and governmental roles and had great power and influence during the Islamic period in Egypt.
The best known example is Shajar Al-Durr, described by historians as having a tough and impressive character. She saved the country and ruled for 80 days on her own during the most critical time in Egyptian history.
Historical sources mention Khawand Ashlon, mother of Sultan Al-Nasir Mohammad Ibn Qala'un, who had a great political role in the year of AH 693 (AD 1294). At the time, the Citadel was under a long siege by the princes. She walked to the Citadel and negotiated the demands of the city leaders.
Khawand Zeinab, one of the wives of Al-Ashraf Inal, took charge of issues concerning ruling the state. She was known to have been a woman respectful of her word and Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay used to rise to greet her as she entered a hall.
Historians have said: "Sultan Shaaban no longer took any decision concerning state issues without her advice. Not only that, but he was unable to go against her wishes."
The mother of Sultan Al-Salih Ismail enjoyed many privileges and respect from all.
Khawand Gelban, wife of Sultan Al-Ashraf Barsbay, was considered a respectable figure in the state and people sought her help. We have information that the wives of Sultans interfered to make amends between the Sultans and princes. The Islamic sources refers to someone called Kafor Al Hindy,from whom Sultan Shaaban intended to take his possessions by force. But Khawand Toghy, the widow of the Sultan Al-Nasir Mohammad, intervened to prevent Sultan Shaaban from doing this and, also, only for Sultan Shaaban to be exiled to Jerusalem.
Books from these periods mention that the wives of sultans usually helped princes gain power through their sultans. Kafoor al-Sarghtmashy wrote that he became an aide of Sultan Barquq thanks to the efforts of the Sultan's wife Khawand Hager, daughter of Mankly. He implied that when a merchant had a request from the head of state, it would be immediately granted when he would first seek and gain the support and approval of the sultan's harem.
Many persons reached high ranks in the state only when married to a sultan's daughter or relative.
Historians say that Prince Barghaly al-Ashrafy became a powerful leader only after his marriage to the daughter of Sultan Baybars Al-Jashinkir. Prince Iljay Al-Yusufi gained a high post in the state due to his marriage with Khawand Baraka, mother of Sultan Shaaban.
The same followed for Prince Inal al-Zahery, whose marriage to Khawand Bayrum, sister of Sultan Farag Ibn Barquq, gave him great power and influence.
Prince Akhbaghamen Abd al-Wahed became one of Sultan Al-Nasir Mohammad Ibn Qala'un's favorites after the marriage of the Sultan to his sister Khawand Toghay.
The best known example is Shajar Al-Durr, described by historians as having a tough and impressive character. She saved the country and ruled for 80 days on her own during the most critical time in Egyptian history.
Historical sources mention Khawand Ashlon, mother of Sultan Al-Nasir Mohammad Ibn Qala'un, who had a great political role in the year of AH 693 (AD 1294). At the time, the Citadel was under a long siege by the princes. She walked to the Citadel and negotiated the demands of the city leaders.
Khawand Zeinab, one of the wives of Al-Ashraf Inal, took charge of issues concerning ruling the state. She was known to have been a woman respectful of her word and Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay used to rise to greet her as she entered a hall.
Historians have said: "Sultan Shaaban no longer took any decision concerning state issues without her advice. Not only that, but he was unable to go against her wishes."
The mother of Sultan Al-Salih Ismail enjoyed many privileges and respect from all.
Khawand Gelban, wife of Sultan Al-Ashraf Barsbay, was considered a respectable figure in the state and people sought her help. We have information that the wives of Sultans interfered to make amends between the Sultans and princes. The Islamic sources refers to someone called Kafor Al Hindy,from whom Sultan Shaaban intended to take his possessions by force. But Khawand Toghy, the widow of the Sultan Al-Nasir Mohammad, intervened to prevent Sultan Shaaban from doing this and, also, only for Sultan Shaaban to be exiled to Jerusalem.
Books from these periods mention that the wives of sultans usually helped princes gain power through their sultans. Kafoor al-Sarghtmashy wrote that he became an aide of Sultan Barquq thanks to the efforts of the Sultan's wife Khawand Hager, daughter of Mankly. He implied that when a merchant had a request from the head of state, it would be immediately granted when he would first seek and gain the support and approval of the sultan's harem.
Many persons reached high ranks in the state only when married to a sultan's daughter or relative.
Historians say that Prince Barghaly al-Ashrafy became a powerful leader only after his marriage to the daughter of Sultan Baybars Al-Jashinkir. Prince Iljay Al-Yusufi gained a high post in the state due to his marriage with Khawand Baraka, mother of Sultan Shaaban.
The same followed for Prince Inal al-Zahery, whose marriage to Khawand Bayrum, sister of Sultan Farag Ibn Barquq, gave him great power and influence.
Prince Akhbaghamen Abd al-Wahed became one of Sultan Al-Nasir Mohammad Ibn Qala'un's favorites after the marriage of the Sultan to his sister Khawand Toghay.
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