The forgotten queen of Egypt
1,089,556 views | Abdallah Ewis • TED-Ed
The year is 1249 CE. King Louis IX is sailing the Nile, threatening to overthrow the sultan and capture Egypt. Egypt's commanders ask the sultan's wife, Shajar Al-Durr, to report this news to the injured sultan. But they don't know the truth: the sultan is dead, and she is secretly ruling in his stead. Who was this impressive woman? Abdallah Ewis details the reign of the Sultana of Egypt. [Directed by Elahe Baloochi, narrated by Safia Elhillo, music by Stephen LaRosa].