Women in Mongol Iran: The Khatuns, 1206-1335

Description

Explores the political, economic and religious role of women in Mongol Iran 'Book of Excellence for the Year 2017 on the subject Iranian Culture and Civilization', awarded by the Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran in the UK Bruno De Nicola investigates the development of women’s status in the Mongol Empire from its original homeland in Mongolia up to the end of the Ilkhanate of Iran in 1335. Taking a thematic approach, the chapters show a coherent progression of this development and contextualise the evolution of the role of women in medieval Mongol society. The arrangement serves as a starting point from where to draw comparison with the status of Mongol women in the later period. Exploring patterns of continuity and transformation in the status of these women in different periods of the Mongol Empire as it expanded westwards into the Islamic world, the book offers a view on the transformation of a nomadic-shamanist society from its original homeland in Mongolia to its settlement in the mostly sedentary-Muslim Iran in the mid-13th century. Key Features The first book-length academic study of women in the Mongol Empire Provides a comprehensive study of women in medieval Mongol society, thematically organised Discusses processes of acculturation and Islamisation Centres on the evolution of women’s role in Mongolia, Central Asia and Iran Draws comparisons with other geographical areas such as Russia, Europe, India, the Middle East and China WOMEN IN MONGOL IRAN Copyright Contents Illustrations Acknowledgements A Note on Transliteration Introduction: The Study of Women in the Mongol Empire 1 Women and Politics from the Steppes to World Empire 2 Regents and Empresses: Women’s Rule in the Mongols’ World Empire 3 Political Involvement and Women’s Rule in the Ilkhanate 4 Women and the Economy of the Mongol Empire PLATES 5 Mongol Women’s Encounters with Eurasian Religions 6 Concluding Remarks Glossary List of Abbreviations Bibliography Index