Dynastic Marriage of Mamluk Sultan of Egypt al-Nasir and Princess Tulunbay according to Medieval Arab Chronicles

• Main Authors: Elmira G. Sayfetdinova, Gamal Abdel Rehem Ibrahim Hassan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: State Institution «Sh.Marjani Institute of History of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences» 2017-03-01
• Series: Zolotoordynskoe Obozrenie
• Subjects: history; Golden Horde; Egypt; dynastic marriage; Mamluks; al-Nasir; Tulunbay; Middle Ages
• Online Access: http://goldhorde.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/%D0%97%D0%9E-1-2017-116-125.pdf
• ISSN: 2308-152X; 2313-6197

Objective: to identify the main reasons for the dynastic marriage between Mamluk Sultan al-Nasir and the Chinggisid princess Tulunbay and to analyze the impact of the termination of the marriage, according to medieval Arab chronicles. Research materials: medieval Arab chronicles of Mamluk authors: Ibn Duqmaq, al-Qalqashandi, al-Maqrizi, Mogultay, al-Nuwayri, Ibn Tagriberdi, al-Ayni et al. Results and novelty of the research: diplomatic relations between Egypt and the Golden Horde were the result of economic and foreign policy objectives of both states. Egypt at that time was one of the most powerful and influential states in the Muslim East, which showed an increased interest in events in the Golden Horde. This interest was stimulated by the fact that the Golden Horde was involved in the orbit of Islam and began to more intensively integrate Islam into the everyday culture of the Golden Horde society. After the Golden Horde had strengthened its position during the reign of khan Uzbek, Mamluk sultans began to consolidate even more their relations with the Golden Horde. One of the most important steps for the rapprochement between the two countries was a dynastic marriage between Mamluk Sultan al-Nasir and the Chinggisid princess Tulunbay. The object of this study is relevant, since the issue of political significance of dynastic relations between Mamluk and the Golden Horde rulers remain understudied. Meanwhile, the dynastic marriage is presented as a political act: as an expression of the good will of the state in relation to the other and a way to strengthen the influence of one country on another. The novelty of this research lies in the fact that, along with a detailed analysis of the Arab chronicles’ information on this subject, it presents for the first time the tomb of princess Tulunbay, which has been preserved in Egypt.