SOCIAL LIFE OF MEDIEVAL EGYPTIAN WIVES

Abstract

This article contains information on the role of women in public life during the reign of the Mamluks in Egypt (1250-1517), their influence on the Mamluk sultans, and Queen of Egypt Shajaratu-d-dur, which contributed to the creation of the Mamluk state. The article is based on the works of many medieval Arab historians. It is known that in Islamic countries there is an opinion that a woman cannot rule the state. After the death of Sultan Turanshah in 1250, prominent people of Egypt saw the need for the ascension of Shajaratu-d-dur to the throne. She ruled Egypt for 80 days. When she realized that the courtiers were beginning to rebel against her rule, she married commander-in-chief Oybek. And when  Muad ad-Din Oybek al-Turkmani ascended the throne, the period of direct rule of the Mamluks began. In the palaces of the Mamluk sultans, women were glorified and called “hotun”. Women at that time were followers of Sufi sects along with men. Hund Shakarboy, the wife of the Sultan of Hushkadam, was known as the patron of the Badavia sect. Writers of that period described women in their works. Women spent their time mainly in their homes and went outside mainly for shopping at the market and for weddings.