Search results
Shajar al-Durr (Arabic: شجر الدر, lit. 'Tree of Pearls'), also Shajarat al-Durr (شجرة الدر), [a] whose royal name was al-Malika ʿAṣmat ad-Dīn ʾUmm-Khalīl Shajar ad-Durr (الملكة عصمة الدين أم خليل شجر الدر; [b] died 28 April 1257), was a ruler of Egypt.
- Early Life
- Marriage to Al-Salih Ayyub
- Crusades
- Shajara al-Durr as Sultana
- Beginning of The End
- Death
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
Due to a lack of sources, Shajara al-Durr's date of birth is uncertain; however, some historians speculate that she may have been born not long before 1230 CE, most likely in modern-day Armenia. According to author Emily Fu, "She originally hailed from the Qipchaq (Kipchak) people of the steppes of what is today southern Russia where she was enslav...
Shajara developed an affectionate relationship with al-Salih, and slowly she rose to become his favorite concubine. He granted her the title, Shajara al-Durr, which means "tree of pearls." She even gave birth to a son, but unfortunately, like many children at the time, he died in infancy. At the time, a concubine secured her position by providing h...
Once al-Salih was back in control, nine turbulent years followed. During this time, al-Salih may have tried to expand the boundaries of his empire. One source claims that he turned his sights to Syria. In hopes of conquering new territory, he marched his army to Syria, leaving Shajara al-Durr to act as regent in his absence. Al-Salih must have had ...
Once the threat of the Crusaders had subsided, and the news of the king's death began to spread, Shajara al-Durr and her Mamluk advisors invited Turan Shah, her husband's heir, to take the throne. Turan Shah traveled back from Diyarbakir (now in Turkey), and with his wife by his side, they took control of the sultanate. Turan Shah quickly started m...
While Aybak was the figurehead that represented the Sultanate of Egypt, the true authority remained Shajara al-Durr. The power of decision-making and administrative matters were all handled by Shajara, but Aybak wanted more than the minor role he was forced to play, even quarreling with his wife about the treasure al-Salih had left behind. Many bel...
In the end, Aybak did get his wish; his 15-year-old son, Al-Mansur Ali (r. 1257-1259), took power with the help of the Mamluks. Aybak's assassination diminished Shajara al-Durr's status as she lost the respect of her supporters. Like Mary, Queen of Scots (r. 1542-1567), who may also have had a hand in her husband's murder and was forced to abdicate...
Learn about the life and achievements of Shajara al-Durr, who rose from a slave girl to become the founder of the Mamluk Dynasty and the only woman to rule Egypt. Discover how she defended Egypt from the Crusaders and left a lasting legacy of architectural monuments.
Shajar al-Durr was a slave girl who became the wife and regent of al-Salih Ayyub, the founder of the Mamluk dynasty in Egypt. She ruled for three months in 1250, but her rule was an exception rather than a precedent for women's political power in Muslim societies.
Learn about the life, political role, and architectural patronage of Shajar al-Durr, the only female Muslim ruler in Egyptian history. The mausoleum is a late Ayyubid structure in Cairo that commemorates her legacy and influenced Mamluk architecture.
Mar 7, 2024 · Learn about the life and legacy of Shajar al-Durr, the first female sultan of Egypt and a pioneer of Islamic architecture. Watch a video lecture by D. Fairchild Ruggles, an expert on Islamic art and women's history.
Shajarat al-Durr was a slave who rose to become the wife and sultana of Egypt, and led the Muslim forces against the French king Louis IX in the Seventh Crusade. She defeated the Crusaders at Mansurah, but was later executed by a rival Mamluk leader.
Learn about the life and legacy of Shajar al-Durr, who rose from slavery to become the first and only woman sultan of Egypt in 1250. Discover how she transformed Cairo's architecture with her patronage of madrasas, mosques, and tombs.
Related searches
Searches related to Shajar al-Durr
evony shajar al-durr mausoleum of shajar al-durr sultana shajar al-durr shajar al-durr images queen shajar al-durr evony shajar al-durr skills
