Shajarat al-Durr

"Tales of Islamic History" is a series of historical novels that cover the stages of Islamic history from its beginnings to the modern era. Jurji Zaydan focused on suspense and excitement in these works, aiming to encourage people to read history without fatigue or boredom, and to spread historical knowledge among the widest possible audience. He believed that fictional works are more appealing to the general public than serious, academic studies with a somber tone. The novel "Shajarat al-Durr" is part of this series. It tells the story of Shajarat al-Durr, the first female ruler in the history of Islamic Egypt. Fate decreed that she would be crowned queen of Egypt after the assassination of Turan Shah, the last sultan of the Ayyubid dynasty. Her ascension to power coincided with tragic events in the international political landscape of the Islamic world at that time. The Abbasid Caliphate fell with the Mongol invasion of Baghdad, which had been the center of the caliphate for five hundred years, after which the capital moved to Egypt. Her reign also coincided with the arrival of King Louis IX of France himself, leading the Crusader armies to conquer Egypt, which he considered the most powerful Islamic state at the time. Despite all these challenges imposed by the international reality, Shajar al-Durr was able to manage the affairs of the country efficiently and competently.