Mama Hatun

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Kervansarai of Mama Hatun, Tercan

Tomb of Mama Hatun, in Tercan

Gate of the enclosure for the tomb of Mama Hatun, with Muqarnas decoration, 1190-1200 CE, Tercan. This design is similar to that of the zhamatun at the Church of the Holy Apostoles in Ani.^[1]

Melike Mama Hatun, or simply Mama Hatun or Mamakhatun, was a female ruler of the Saltukids, with its capital in Erzurum, for an estimated nine years between 1191 and 1200.

During her reign she had a caravanserai, a mosque, a bridge, and a hammam built in the town of Tercan, located midway between Erzincan and Erzurum, which are still standing and are named after her.^[2]

Her tomb, built by masters from Ahlat, is also in Tercan,^[3] although the attribution to Mama Hatun is only the result of a strong oral tradition.^[1] One of the secondary tombs is dated 1203, which tends to corroborate the general date of the building.^[1] An inscription mentions the builder of the structure:^[1]

The work of Abu’l Muna bin Mufaddal al-Awhal ... al-Khilati, the builder, may God pardon him, as well as his father and his mother.^[1]

The town itself was called Mamahatun until recently, and is still referred to as such locally. During her reign she built mosques, a medrese, several mekteps, shadirvans, caravanserais, and other types of Islamic architecture. She also built many hammams throughout her rule.

Mama Hatun also remains a vivacious figure in Turkish folk literature to this day.