Patrons or muri¯ds? Mongol women and shaykhs in Ilkhanid Iran and Anatolia

The interactions between the Mongols and religious leaders from different confessions have been documented since the early period of the Mongol Empire. When the Mongols conquered Iran and Anatolia and established the Ilkhanid dynasty, the interaction between the Mongol court and Sufi shaykhs became more apparent. Mongol courtly women (kha¯tu¯ns), who had enough economic capability and financial autonomy, played an important role in securing political favour and economic support for religious leaders. This paper explores the interaction between courtly women and Sufi shaykhs in Ilkhanid Iran and Anatolia. Firstly, it investigates the role of Mongol women in religion and secondly, it examines their patronage activities. Finally, it addresses the personal interaction between some of these ladies and Shaykh Safi¯ al-Di¯n Ardabi¯li¯, which provides an interesting case study to facilitate an understanding of the relationship between kha¯tüns and shaykhs in the fourteenth century.