Politics and Gender in the Last Period of the Ilkhāns: The Case of Bagdād Khatun

Authors : Nilgün Dalkesen

Pages : 35-44

Doi:10.26650//iutd.1543799

View : 157 | Download : 100

Publication Date : 2025-07-04

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The life of Baghdād Khatun, a member of the senior ruling class of the Ilkhānid state, was greatly influenced by the political events of the time. The Ilkhānid ruler Abū Sa’īd declared his intention to marry Baghdād Khatun, the daughter of Amīr Chupan and the wife of Shaikh Hasan Jalāyer, on the basis of the authority granted to him by Chinggis Khan\\\'s Yasa (Yasa-yi Bozorg). This was undoubtedly part of Abū Sa’īd\\\'s plan to use his authority to control and/or eliminate the Chupanids, who overshadowed him economically and politically. The power struggle between the Chupan family and Abū Sa’īd took place in the private sphere and was based on yasa, particularly concerning the Baghdād Khatun incident. This request touched on private life and family honour, triggering important political and military events. It tested the obedience and loyalty of the Chupan family, who controlled almost the entire country. This article examines the role of yasa in Mongol political thought, and how the Ilkhānids implemented it alongside sharīʿa, despite also being Muslim. Thus, an attempt is made to assess the various dimensions of the relationship between the rulers and the amīrs within the framework of gender roles.
Keywords : Bağdat Hatun, Emir Çoban, Ebu Said, Yasa/Yasaq, Emirler (kabile beyleri)

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