Muztal Sultan Begum

Muztal Sultan Begum (5 January 917 - 16 May 977), also known by her Balish title Saliman Dewi (lit. "goddess of the sky"), was the empress and second wife of the fifth emperor Shawekki of the Hafra dynasty in Baland, and the mother of his successor, Suerkin the Great. She served as regent of the Empire in 951, 969 and 973 when her husband and son went out to fight. Muztal is a princess from an unknown Sultanate in Bangladesh. She was originally a Muslim. Because of religious issues, her marriage with the emperor caused great controversy. However, she later converted to Mahaism and gave birth to an heir-apparent, by which she was finally accepted by the imperial court of Baland. Although she gave up her belief in Islam, she was deeply influenced by Islamic culture and art, and brought them to Baland, which opened the prelude to the cultural prosperity of the middle Hafra Dynasty. After that, part of Islamic style culture was integrated into Balish culture. Because of her son Suerkin IV's great achievements, her education was considered successful, and she also got the title of "mother of the great emperor". As a pagan from abroad, Muztal's influence has surpassed that of almost all empresses during the Hafra dynasty. To some extent, she is as famous as some of the most well-known female rulers in Baland's history.

Background
There is no detailed record of Muztal Sultan Begum's specific life experience and early experience. She comes from Bangladesh and is a princess of a local Sultanate. According to the historical records of Baland, her motherland is "one of the oldest Sultanates" and "guarding a crucial geographical location". However, there are no documents giving the name and specific geographical location of this country, and her parents and other relatives are not known. Therefore, some historians speculate that the so-called "The Sultanate" is just a kind of gilded saying. Muztal may just be the daughter of a sultan chief from an Islamic tribe in Bangladesh. However, in any case, there is no doubt that Muztal's hometown believes in Islam. In her name, "Sultan" and "Begum" are titles of noble women in Islamic society, so it can be judged that she comes from the top class of her country. As for the meaning of "Muztal", there is no specific explanation. Her date of birth is recorded in detail in Baland's official history book, which is 5 January 917. Some people doubt this date, but there is no evidence to refute it. Two ladies accompanying her in Baland from the Sultanate, Setkya Sultan and Muz-un-nissa Begum, who later became influential in the imperial court, may be her sisters. Growing up in an Islamic environment, Muztal was deeply influenced by Islam. Not surprisingly, she became a Muslim. She had a lot of research on Islamic culture and artistic style, which can be reflected in her later transformation of fashion and art in Baland.

Marriage
In 933, Shawekki, the new emperor of the Hafra dynasty, ascended the throne. At this time, he had just lost his beloved wife, Mindu Pe, who had been pregnant for 7 months. He was not willing to enter into a new marriage in a short time. However, the decline of the dynasty's descendants was a big problem. Shawekki was his grandfather Kanaunt II's only living offspring; he and his wife Mindu Pe, had two sons and a daughter, both of whom died in infancy unfortunately. In 932, Mindu Pe, who was pregnant for 7 months, suddenly died. So Shawekki had no successor at that time. Once he died, the rule of Hafra's collateral family would give way to other collateral families. The nobles didn't want to see such a toss. They wanted the regime to pass on smoothly to go on, not to let the country fall into the shadow of the war for the throne. Under the pressure of the nobles, Shawekki sent privy minister Suriyada to find a new wife for him, which he did not pay attention to. To everyone's surprise, Suriyada finds a Muslim wife for the emperor, naming Muztal Sultan Begum. According to the historical records, Muztal has thick eyebrows and big eyes, looks bright and versatile. After seeing her portraits and poems, the emperor praised her as a beautiful talented woman, and immediately confirmed that she is the future empress. It is said that Muztal looks like Mindu Pe, so Suriyada finds her as the bride for the emperor, and the emperor accepts her. However, this incident causes great controversy in Baland, because Muztal is a heretic. Before that, although there were examples of the combination of heretics among the people, no heretic had ever reached the high position of Empress of Baland. The nobles were afraid that the influence of Islam would take the opportunity to invade, resolutely opposed the marriage, and blamed Suriyada for everything, who was accused of supporting heresy and harboring evil ideas, and wanted the emperor to arrest him. Suriyada, who was attacked by the nobles, did not expect that he would be in such a dangerous situation. In order to defend his own interests, he had to make Muztal the empress, and then he could apply for royal privileges and protection. Suriyada secretly left Baland by the way of Banyan, then sneaked to Bangladesh, came to the country of Muztal, asked her to let her country submit the documents of marriage, and converted to Mahaism. Perhaps because Muztal was not devout in Islam, she immediately agreed to Suriyada's request. She asked her father to send out an official document to make a marriage contract with the emperor of Baland, and then wrote a letter to Suriyada to take it back to Baland secretly. In the letter, she promised that as long as she became the empress, she would convert to Mahaism.

In February 934, Suriyada returned to Nanwa and showed public the letter of credence and the letter written by Muztal. At that time, the emperor almost gave up marrying Muztal and began to send officials to ask for marriage to Sayamati. However, when he saw the letters, he recalled the officials sent to Sayamati. Although they were assured by the letters of credence and the future empress, the nobles still could not accept such a thing. They then said that Suriyada was not an official envoy, but went abroad in his own name. The letters he brought back were invalid. At the same time, he had to be interrogated by contacting foreign country. Shawekki defended his loyal minister. He thought that since the Sultanate had submitted his credentials, it would be too inappropriate to tell them the truth. If he could take this opportunity to make friends with the Sultanate, the Empire's sphere of influence would be a springboard to spread to India. The emperor also asked the imperial Council to draw up a letter of credence, sent a mission to the Sultanate to serve the letter of credence, and welcomed Muztal to Baland.

On 24 June 934, Muztal arrived in Nanwa with a team of 400 followers and Baland's mission. She was immediately taken to Tongtha Khin Temple and vowed to convert to Mahaism. Her followers were also required to do so, but only a few of her close ministers changed their religion, and the rest still insisted on the belief in Islam, so these people did not follow Muztal into the palace. Muztal and her close ministers, including Setkya Sultan and Muz-un-nissa Begum, were settled in Minor Etong Palace, waiting for the imperial wedding and coronation. Muztalal studied Mahaism and court etiquette in Minor Etong Palace with the ladies who came from the court, and they liked her very much. When the emperor asked questions, one of them, the Marquise of Taungnu, replied, "Her Highness is very attentive and very kind. She will be a good empress, and your majesty can rest assured." Muztal stayed in the Minor Etong Palace until September of that year. On 2 September, well-dressed Muztal was welcomed into Nanwa Palace with a grand ceremony. The emperor led his courtiers to welcome his bride at the Sun Gate. Afterwards, the two married in the Silver Lake Garden next to the Great Dome (the palace where the empress lives in Nanwa Palace). According to the officials at that time, the emperor was very happy and satisfied, but the accompanying nobles were not happy, which made the empress a little nervous and embarrassed. On 17 January of the following year, Muztal was crowned in Minor Etong Palace.

Life as empress
At that time, people generally believed that Muztal was a person who was sociable and charismatic. With her company, it seemed that the emperor was out of the shadow of losing his first wife and gradually became cheerful. The nobles who originally opposed her also praised her. Muztal was liked by almost everyone in the palace, and the Emperor's mother, Moshacca of Sayamati, when she came to the court to visit her son, was also very satisfied with her daughter-in-law. On 1 April 936, Muztal gave birth to her eldest daughter, Suma Setnawatti, who died of influenza when she was two years old. On 4 October 937, Ku Kyantalin, the eldest son of her, was born. He was the first son of Shawekki to grow up and later became the crown prince, but he died when he was only 19 years old. On 2 May 942, Alan, the second son, was born and became the crown prince after his brother died, but he did not live long and died two years later. On 29 June 947, Suerkin, the third son, was born. He was Emperor Suerkin IV, and later was honored as the "Suerkin the Great". On 19 March 950, Pinthinah, the last child of Muztal, was born. She married Ang Sum I, King of Jasume, and became Queen consort of Jasume. Her four sons, Bohu II, Heyun, Mansaw and Tychen ascended the throne one after another, but she was exhausted and depressed in her sons' endless struggle, which made her death.

The emperor had several mistresses. It is said that Setkya Sultan and Muz-un-nissa Begum, who were close to Muztal, were also his lovers, but he still gave the empress respect and love. Muztal doesn't care about her husband's love affairs. She likes reading and often reads classic literary works in her spare time. She learns Balish very fast and sometimes teaches the royal nobles some of the language and culture of her motherland. Sometimes when she read poems for ladies-in-waiting, the emperor would come to watch. Shawekki knew the empress's interest in literature, so he hired some scholars and poets to visit the palace and communicate with her. Influenced by his mother, the second son of Muztal, Prince Alan, is a very outstanding poet in the history of Balish literature. His "Collection of Works on Silver Lake" is regarded as the foundation of the cultural prosperity in the middle of the Hafra dynasty. The youngest son, Suerkin the Great, is also talented, but he is better at poetry and dance. In 953, Shawekki broke up with his last mistress and announced that he would be loyal to his wife and family since then. Perhaps the emperor did not love the empress, but their relationship had gone beyond the love between men and women and regarded each other as inseparable relatives.

Muztal was Regent when her husband went to fight with western tribes in 951. She didn't play a very important role in this regency, but her decisive decision to support the war was appreciated. Since she became the empress, she has broken off contact with her motherland. The specific reasons are not recorded. Historians generally speculate from religious reasons, but some people think it is a conflict of political interests. Muztal did not encounter any great crisis in the palaces of Baland, so there should be no interest disputes between her motherland and Baland. There are few records about her motherland, which need to be explored in the future.

Empress dowager
In 968, Shawekki died, and Suerkin IV ascended to the throne, by which Muztal became the empress mother of the empire. She was the first woman of the Hafra dynasty to enjoy "mother of Baland", a title given to a woman who was an empress previously and biological mother of current monarch. Imperial mothers preceded her either never become an empress, or died before their son's accession, so Muztal was considered the most "completed" empress of the Hafra dynasty, and there were only 3 "mother of Baland" during the Hafra dynasty for over 300 years. Suerkin IV and his wife, Galandaph of Inmey, had a bad relationship and separated for a long time after their eldest son, Jakigan, was born. He didn't even want to crown his wife as Empress until she came back from Myubo to defend her position. Under such circumstances, the empress's duties are still performed by Empress dowager Muztal, and she has not moved away from the Great Dome. Suerkin has always wanted to divorce Galandaph, but Muztal resolutely opposed it for the sake of her grandson Jakigan. She had tried many times to reconcile the relationship between her son and daughter-in-law, but Suerkin always hated his wife, and Muztal can only let it be.

As the empress dowager, Muztal played an important role in the empire. Suerkin appointed her to handle diplomatic relations with many countries in India and other western countries, and increased her annuity to 100,000 nelas to appreciate her hard work. She once went to sign the "Taungnu Port Contract" with Maharapura as the representative of the empire. Because Maharapura was represented by Queen dowager Madhri of Salin, this contract is also known as "Royal Mothers' Contract". Phonhinu Sikirachat, mother of King Ang Sum I of Jasume ,adored her very much. In 970, Muztal accompanied her daughter Pinthinah to Jasume to complete her daughter's wedding with Prince Ang Sum I. During her visit to Jasume, the king and queen accompanied her all the way. They were all impressed by Muztal's temperament, so they respected Pinthinah, the newly married princess.



In 969 and 973, Muztal was the regent twice of her son who went to war. She carried out the policy of religious tolerance, hanged several radical religious elements, and reappointed the high priest of Tongtha Khin Temple. Maung Hsyu, her husband's favorite minister, was exiled by her, and all his property was confiscated. They should have been feuding for a long time, which led to the empress dowager's retaliation. The results of her regency were not recognized by Suerkin. The emperor brutally attacked the religious forces outside Mahaism, especially Buddhism, which almost disappeared in Baland. The radicals who were executed by Muztal were also rehabilitated. At that time, there were accusations against the empress dowager domestically, including not being loyal to the empire and tolerating paganism. Suerkin IV refuted these accusations and proposed to the imperial court that the query against Muztal would never be accepted, but the court failed to pass it. Since 973, the emperor no longer listened to his mother's advice, and sent other officials to deal with the foreign affairs with India. Until then, Muztal's influence on politics stopped. Many scholars believe that Suerkin IV himself was a radical Mahaist. For him, his mother, who was originally a pagan, could not be trusted in politics. In 973, the court once again questioned the decree of stopping religious persecution drawn up by the regency of Muztal, and the emperor decided not to let his mother interfere in any political affairs; it was also in the same year that the emperor promulgated the decree on the elimination of Buddhism. Buddhism was defined as a cult in Baland. A large number of Buddhists were persecuted, imprisoned and slaughtered. Buddha and Bodhisattvas became the incarnations of demons, and believers were the messengers of evil. This is contrary to the religious tolerance advocated by Muztal, but there is no historical record of Muztal's comment on this matter.

In April 974, Muztal moved out of the palace and lived in a temple enshrined Devi (goddess) Suma in the northern suburb of Nanwa. She was charitable and followed her husband's mistress Ning Ning to open a poverty school beside the temple. The project was supported by many celebrities, including her son Sushweteti. The empress dowager often went back to the palace to visit her children and grandchildren. In January 976, she visited Jasume again and visited her daughter Queen Pinthinah and her eldest grandson Bohu II. This was her last visit to her daughter. From the autumn of that year, Muztal's health began to deteriorate. She often coughed, flustered and fidgeted all day. She even went out less, because she would gasp after walking a few steps. On 7 March 977, she went to the Nanwa Palace for the last time to visit her son.

On 16 May 977, Muztal Sultan Begum died of illness at the age of 60. When Suerkin learned of this, he was very sad. He immediately sent a messenger to inform his sister. Pinthinah immediately rushed back to Baland to attend her mother's funeral, her husband with her. The funeral was held in June. Muztal's body was sent to the Minor Etong Palace, where she was waiting for her coronation, and where she is now holding her funeral. The funeral lasted for 5 days, and chanting all night lasted for 12 days. Her body was entombed in the Hepan Valley, where her husband Shawekki was also buried. After the funeral, Suerkin gave three pearl necklaces, two jewel necklaces, one ring and three crowns left by Muztal to her sister Pinthinah--two of them were buried with Pinthinah, and the remaining one was transformed and passed down to queens of Jasume from generation to generation.

Art and culture
The most remarkable influence of Muztal Sultan Begum is that she brought the culture and art of Bangladesh to Baland. At the same time, because she came from Islamic countries, part of the culture of the Islamic world was integrated into Balish culture. She may not be a writer, but her support is an important reason why Islamic culture can enter Baland; at the same time, because of the deep-rooted influence of Islamic culture on her, it is inevitable that Islamic culture will follow her to Baland. The most direct influence is reflected in architecture. During Muztal's reign as the empress, the Great Dome was expanded and decorated in about 940. Under her guidance, four dome towers were built around the palace, which is a typical Islamic architectural style. At the same time, some windows and carvings of the dome were decorated with various patterns, including birds, animals, flowers and so on like. The front gate of the Great Dome was transformed into a magnificent arch, and a pool was dug in the middle of the front courtyard. After decoration, the Great Dome became more charming and beautiful, which attracted the pursuit of the nobles at that time. The buildings with Islamic style also became popular, becoming the representative architectural style in the middle and late Hafra dynasty. Later, the unique style developed, forming the "Emir school" in the architecture of Baland.



Muztal herself did not have classic literary works, but many Balish poets were influenced by her, and Balish poems began to take on new forms. Her son, crown prince Alan, was one of the representatives. About seven chapters of Alan's "Collection of Works on Silver Lake" were written or modified after communicating with his mother. This kind of poetry was called "new school poetry" at that time, The new school poetry is not mature, and later did not become a separate school in Balish literature, but many forms derived from the new school poetry become an important part of later Balish poetry. Muztal has also talked with many bards, but the bards' works are only oral, difficult to preserve, and not limited to form. Therefore, Muztal's literary influence on bards is hard to calculate, but certainly far less than that of her daughter-in-law, Elanche de Dongulas. Muztal's arrival can be said to have brought new air into the Hafra empire. Perhaps her role is limited, but the chain reaction is huge. Therefore, many historians regard Muztal as one of the founders of the middle-term cultural prosperity and the "Gilded Words Period" during the Hafra dynasty.

Politics and diplomacy
Muztal had served as the regent for 3 times, but her three regencies did not produce great influence. The first regency was for her husband in 951. This time, her power was limited, and she basically did not decide anything except to reinforce the army; The last two were for her son Suerkin IV, and she was endowed with great power. She carried out the policy of religious tolerance and killed some opponents and radicals. However, all these were overthrown by her son, and she was also questioned by nobles, courts and even the emperor, which made her political ideas unable to be implemented. From 973, she was forbidden by her son to interfere in political affairs. In one way, it was the emperor's intention to protect her mother from being sued by the court again. But it also showed that it's very hard for Muztal, as a foreign heretic, even if she was an empress and imperial mother, to interfere in government affairs, especially in religious affairs.

But by dealing with diplomatic affairs, Muztal had proved her political talents. When Muztal was queen, she already had a certain diplomatic influence. The most talked about is her relationship with Madhri of Salin, Queen of Maharapura, a woman who was also influential at that time. As the first lady, Muztal and Madhri were good friends at first. Although they had never met each other, they often kept correspondence with each other. Due to the age, only three letters were kept between them, all of which were kept in the Imperial Museum of Nanwa. One of them was written by Madhri in 957 after the death of Muztal's eldest son Ku Kyantalin:

''"To my sister, Muztal Sultan Begum, Empress of Baland. Your sister, Madhri, Queen of Maharapura, is here to wish you all the best and your husband the best. This morning, I received a letter from your excellency U Khin Daw Min (then Ambassador of Maharapura to Baland). I was shocked to hear that your eldest son, his Royal Highness the promising young crown prince of Baland, had passed away. I'm so shocked. I'd like to ask you to pay your respects. His Royal Highness the crown prince is a good child. Although I have never met him before, I have heard of his good name in Maharapura. Whenever I hear people praise him who is handsome and wise, I will outline his appearance in my mind, and I will envy you involuntarily. Dear sister, you must be very proud to have such a child. Now, the pride of the past must turn into grief. The premature death of the prince not only makes you sad, but also makes me fall into pain. I am also a mother. I watched my son grow up with my own eyes. I can't imagine how I would feel when my son left me one day. But, dear sister, please don't be too sad. I will always pray for the prince. He is a good child and will be blessed by the God. You also have Alan and Suerkin. They are as good as the deceased crown prince. They will accompany you. I hope you will cheer up soon. I will also pray for you. And the prince's widow, Her royal highness Sumanee, please be kind to her. She has lost her husband and needs the comfort of people around her just like you. Please take good care of her later life. That's your blessing and it will be the prince's blessing."''

The first and only time they met was in 969, as representatives of their respective countries, to negotiate and sign the "Taungnu Port Contract". At that time, Madhri had the first-hand information and first learned the news of the defeat of Maharapura. Therefore, she tried to use this time difference to gain the best interests for her kingdom. However, Muztal was acutely aware that something was wrong. She thought that when Maharapura withdrew from Taungnu, their army did not destroy the land and Madhri was eager to sign the contract, which was obviously not the gesture of the dominant party. So she postponed the signing of the contract until she received the news of Baland's victory, and then continued the negotiation, which made Madhri fail. Perhaps it was because of the deterioration of the relationship between Baland and Maharapura that the correspondence between Muztal and Madhri became less and less until there was almost no communication. Later, Madhri did not say anything in private when she learned of the news of Muztal's death. However, there are also many people who think that from the very beginning, they are just fake friends, no real relationship or friendship between them because they communicated with each other representing their countries.

Muztal is also considered to be the main supporter of the Kingdom of Jasume. As early as Shawekki was in power, she strongly supported Jasume's independence from Maharapura. After Jasume's independence, she established a friendship with Bohu I, 1st King of Jasume, and married her daughter Pinthinah to Ang Sum I, son of Bohu I, which was a great help to the newly independent and weak Jasume. In 972, Bohu I took in Buddhists who had fled from Maharapura and other countries in the northern part of Jasume. The news spread quickly. Pharaja Dhamma VI who heard of this was furious and asked Jasume to arrest the Buddhists immediately. In order to put pressure on Jasume, Dhamma VI pointed the spearhead at the Balish Empire, believing that it was because of Baland's great help that Jasume was able to become independent and committed the crime of protecting the heretics. In his anger, Suerkin also learned that there were many kinds of customs that violated the teachings of Mahaism in Jasume, such as polygamy, and his sister Pinthinah was actually the third wife of Prince Ang Sum. Suerkin immediately issued a statement accusing Jasume, and suggested that if Maharapura sent troops to recover Jasume, he might stand by and even give support. He also said he demanded that the marriage between Ang Sum I and Pinthinah be abolished and Pinthinah return home immediately. Muztal persuaded the emperor to let her communicate with Jasume. Finally, under her mediation, Jasume expelled most of Buddhists, sent envoys to pay homage to the Pharaja, and sent many gifts to him to get his issuing a forgiveness order for Jasume. Pinthinah was only the third wife, but she was identified as the chief consort of Ang Sum, and the future chief queen, ranking higher than the rest of Ang Sum's wives, and the harmony between Pinthinah and Ang Sum I, which calmed Suerkin's anger.

Chandra Pubo, a 19th-century Balish historian, commented on Muztal: "this lady from an Islamic country, with her different vision from the Hafra people, different attitude from men, and different mind from religious fanatics, forged the most successful diplomatic relations at that time."