Safiye Sultan: Ottoman Empire
Safiye was a favorite consort of Murad III and mother of Mehmed III. Due to her position, she was able to exercise limited power from 1574 to 1603. It's thought that she was born in Rezi, a town in Albania. After joining Murad's court, she had a strong influence over his decisions and others in the court. It's said that she was partial to the empire's interest in Venice. The thing she is known for is starting construction on the mosque called Yeni Valide Cami in 1597.
Nur Jahan: India
Nur Jahan was born in 1577 to a Persian family living in India. She was married to a Persian soldier when she was 17. She became a widow with a daughter after her husband was executed for siding with the emperor's enemies. In 1607, Nur Jahan was brought to the court of Jahangir.
She and Jahangir were married in 1611. Though she was considered middle aged and was already a widow with a child. Despite that, she became on of his favorites and pretty much ran the government until Jahangir died. This was aided by the fact that he was addicted to drugs and alcohol and needed her to keep him healthy.
She wasn't allowed to appear in courts, so all of her decisions were given through trusted officials. She signed off on every decision made in the royal government. She looked to help women by giving them land and giving dowries to orphans. She expanded trade with Europe and collected fees form merchants who passed through her lands. She owned ships that transported cargo and pilgrims trying to go to Mecca. Her wealth grew consistently and she had officers everywhere. Agra grew as a major city of commerce.
She had a great influence over all of the women living in the castle, which was a good amount of people after you add up Jahangir's wives, concubines, slaves, servants, people visiting, and all the children. She changed how they dressed, giving it a Persian twinge and allowing for the hot weather. She also influenced the women to write poetry like she did. Both Jahangir and Nur Jahan had a large collection of art, which they put on display in both public and private gardens. Many buildings and tombs were built under Nur Jahan's command and can still be seen today.
Slowly, Nur Jahan lost power. An alliance she'd had with Jahangir's son, Shah Jahan, crumbled when she swung her favor of the next ruler to a different son. A rebellion by Shah Jahan and other officials followed. A strong military general joined because he was disgusted by how Nur Jahan was running things, saying that no king should be so subject to his wives ruled. She couldn't save herself and was put into confinement when Shah Jahan became king. She lived her last few years on Lahore in exile with her daughter. She died in 1645 and is buried in Lahore with Jahangir.
She and Jahangir were married in 1611. Though she was considered middle aged and was already a widow with a child. Despite that, she became on of his favorites and pretty much ran the government until Jahangir died. This was aided by the fact that he was addicted to drugs and alcohol and needed her to keep him healthy.
She wasn't allowed to appear in courts, so all of her decisions were given through trusted officials. She signed off on every decision made in the royal government. She looked to help women by giving them land and giving dowries to orphans. She expanded trade with Europe and collected fees form merchants who passed through her lands. She owned ships that transported cargo and pilgrims trying to go to Mecca. Her wealth grew consistently and she had officers everywhere. Agra grew as a major city of commerce.
She had a great influence over all of the women living in the castle, which was a good amount of people after you add up Jahangir's wives, concubines, slaves, servants, people visiting, and all the children. She changed how they dressed, giving it a Persian twinge and allowing for the hot weather. She also influenced the women to write poetry like she did. Both Jahangir and Nur Jahan had a large collection of art, which they put on display in both public and private gardens. Many buildings and tombs were built under Nur Jahan's command and can still be seen today.
Slowly, Nur Jahan lost power. An alliance she'd had with Jahangir's son, Shah Jahan, crumbled when she swung her favor of the next ruler to a different son. A rebellion by Shah Jahan and other officials followed. A strong military general joined because he was disgusted by how Nur Jahan was running things, saying that no king should be so subject to his wives ruled. She couldn't save herself and was put into confinement when Shah Jahan became king. She lived her last few years on Lahore in exile with her daughter. She died in 1645 and is buried in Lahore with Jahangir.
Queen Nzinga Mbande: Ndongo and Matambi Kingdoms
Queen Nzinga was best known for holding back the Portuguese from expanding the slave trade to central Africa. By 1580, the Portuguese were close to getting to Nzinga's kingdom. She was sent by her brother to talk to the Portuguese officials. The Portuguese didn't treat her as an equal from the start, but she didn't want to anger them so she wouldn't lose them as a possible ally and trading partner. She tried to accommodate them by converting to Christianity, getting baptized, and changing her name to something European.
In 1626 she became full Queen after her brother commit suicide because of the Portuguese. In 1627, Nzinga formed alliances with former rival states and fought the Portuguese, starting a thirty year war with them. They often used guerrilla warfare and Nzinga would lead her people into battle. She even allied with the Dutch. In 1647, Nzinga and her army beat the Portuguese. The Portuguese eventually managed to beat the Dutch, leaving Nzinga to defend her country herself. She planned out guerrilla attacks that continued long after she died in 1663. Eventually, the guerrilla attacks led to Angola being independent in 1975.
In 1626 she became full Queen after her brother commit suicide because of the Portuguese. In 1627, Nzinga formed alliances with former rival states and fought the Portuguese, starting a thirty year war with them. They often used guerrilla warfare and Nzinga would lead her people into battle. She even allied with the Dutch. In 1647, Nzinga and her army beat the Portuguese. The Portuguese eventually managed to beat the Dutch, leaving Nzinga to defend her country herself. She planned out guerrilla attacks that continued long after she died in 1663. Eventually, the guerrilla attacks led to Angola being independent in 1975.