Politics and Gender in the Last Period of the Ilkhans: The Case of Bagdad Khatun

Abstract

The life of Baghdad Khatun, a member of the senior ruling class of the Ilkhanid state, was greatly influenced by the political events of the time. The Ilkhanid ruler Abu Said declared his intention to marry Baghdad Khatun, the daughter of Amir Chupan and the wife of Shaikh Hasan Jalayer, on the basis of the authority granted to him by Chinggis Khan's Yasa (Yasa-yi Bozorg). This was undoubtedly part of Abu Sa'id'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 Abu Sa'id took place in the private sphere and was based on yasa, particularly concerning the Baghdad 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 Ilkhanids implemented it alongside sharia, despite also being Muslim. Thus, an attempt is made to assess the various dimensions of the relationship between the rulers and the amirs within the framework of gender roles.