Shagrat (or Shajarat) al -Durr (died 1259)
became an politically powerful woman during the time of the Crusades. She
assumed the title of Sultan and reorganized the Egyptian army to recapture
Damietta from the Frankish Crusaders. In 1250 A.D. Shagrat's husband,
Salih Ayyub, who was the Sultan of Egypt has died.
The French crusaders, under the
leadership of Louis IX threatened Egypt. In 1249 they landed at Damietta,
at the head of the Nile. While her husband was away in Damascus, Shagrat
assumed leadership of the military to defend the country. When her husband
returned he unfortunately died leaving her alone. She concealed his death,
saying that he was ill and employed a servant to take food to his tent as a
ruse.
Turan, her husband's son and her
step-son, arrived and Shagrat gave the authority of the government over to him,
and announced her husband's death. Shagrat still retained control of the
military and led a decisive victory over the French at Damietta. The
leaders of the army preferred Shagrat's leadership and plotted to assassinate
Turan, who is not Turkish like they and his step-mother were. They murder
Turan and awarded the throne to Shagrat on May 2, 1250, beginning the Mamluk
dynasty.
As sultan, Shagrat had coins made with
her name as well as being mentioned in the weekly prayers in the mosques, both
honors only due to sultans. She negotiated peace with the Franks and
allowed Louis IX to return to France. Unfortunately, her reign is not long
because Egypt was under the authority of the Caliphate of Baghdad who did not
approve of women in leadership positions. After only two months she was
asked to resign, and Aibak, a popular and able Mamluk soldier took over the
title.
Shagrat was not out of the picture yet
because she seduced Aibak, they fall greatly in love, and she married him.
He retained the title of sultan, while Shagrat in reality continued to rule the
country well for seven years. A historian commented, "She
dominated him, and he had nothing to say." She would sign the
sultan's decrees, had coins minted in both their names, and would reply if
addressed Sultana. Shagrat was a woman who wanted to live on men's
terms. When she married Aibak she forced him to divorce his wife who had
born a son by him.
When Aibak wanted to marry another
woman, a common practice at that time, she plotted in a jealous rage to murder
him. When he was taking a bath after a polo match the dirty deed was done,
and Shagrat became anxious to try to cover up her crime. The army was
divided over loyalty for Shagrat and her deceased soldier husband. His
former wife tipped the balance and influenced the slaves of the harem to kill
Shagrat. Her dead, half-naked body was thrown into the moat of the
city.
by Jane Harter
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... Eventually, Shagrat al-Durr's bones are taken and placed in the mosque known
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Shagrat
al Durr
... Eventually, Shagrat al-Durr's bones were taken and placed in the mosque
known today
as the mosque of Shagrat al-Durr. Coins minted in Shagrat al-Durr's name. ...
Women.com
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Egypt and Syria. Global Location. Detailed Map. Search
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Military
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