Seyyedeh Khatun
Encyclopedia
Seyyedeh Malek Khatun (died 1029) was a Sultan
ess of Buwayhid
s (Deylamids) of Ray
(Rages), Isfahan
and Hamadan
(Buwayhid
dynasty of Iran
). After the death of her husband Fakhr od-Dowleh the Deylamid, her 4-year old son, Majd od-Dowleh (993–1029), officially inherited the reign, however she was the true ruler up until her death.
During her rule, she was able to protect her realm against powerful opponents, such as Mahmud of Ghazni
and Ghaboos of Ziyarid
, by her insightful policies. It was said that when the army of Mahmud of Ghazni approached Ray, Seyyedeh Khatun rejected an offer to surrender despite the fact that her defenses were greatly outnumbered. She responded with a letter, stating “We will fight and if I prevail, it will be known everywhere that I conquered great Mahmud. But if you prevail, will you announce that you had conquered a woman?” Shortly after her death, Mahmud of Ghazni captured Ray and the Buwayhid realm of Ray, Hamadan and Isfahan came to its end.
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
ess of Buwayhid
Buwayhid
The Buyid dynasty, also known as the Buyid Empire or the Buyids , also known as Buwaihids, Buyahids, or Buyyids, were a Shī‘ah Persian dynasty that originated from Daylaman in Gilan...
s (Deylamids) of Ray
Ray, Iran
Rey or Ray , also known as Rhages and formerly as Arsacia, is the capital of Rey County, Tehran Province, Iran, and is the oldest existing city in the province....
(Rages), Isfahan
Isfahan (city)
Isfahan , historically also rendered in English as Ispahan, Sepahan or Hispahan, is the capital of Isfahan Province in Iran, located about 340 km south of Tehran. It has a population of 1,583,609, Iran's third largest city after Tehran and Mashhad...
and Hamadan
Hamadan
-Culture:Hamadan is home to many poets and cultural celebrities. The city is also said to be among the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.Handicrafts: Hamadan has always been well known for handicrafts like leather, ceramic, and beautiful carpets....
(Buwayhid
Buwayhid
The Buyid dynasty, also known as the Buyid Empire or the Buyids , also known as Buwaihids, Buyahids, or Buyyids, were a Shī‘ah Persian dynasty that originated from Daylaman in Gilan...
dynasty of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
). After the death of her husband Fakhr od-Dowleh the Deylamid, her 4-year old son, Majd od-Dowleh (993–1029), officially inherited the reign, however she was the true ruler up until her death.
During her rule, she was able to protect her realm against powerful opponents, such as Mahmud of Ghazni
Mahmud of Ghazni
Mahmud of Ghazni , actually ', was the most prominent ruler of the Ghaznavid dynasty who ruled from 997 until his death in 1030 in the eastern Iranian lands. Mahmud turned the former provincial city of Ghazni into the wealthy capital of an extensive empire which covered most of today's Iran,...
and Ghaboos of Ziyarid
Ziyarid
The Ziyarids, also spelled Zeyarids , were an Iranian dynasty that ruled in the Caspian sea provinces of Gorgan and Mazandaran from 928-1043 . The founder of the dynasty was Mardavij , who took advantage of a rebellion in the Samanid army of Iran to seize power in northern Iran...
, by her insightful policies. It was said that when the army of Mahmud of Ghazni approached Ray, Seyyedeh Khatun rejected an offer to surrender despite the fact that her defenses were greatly outnumbered. She responded with a letter, stating “We will fight and if I prevail, it will be known everywhere that I conquered great Mahmud. But if you prevail, will you announce that you had conquered a woman?” Shortly after her death, Mahmud of Ghazni captured Ray and the Buwayhid realm of Ray, Hamadan and Isfahan came to its end.