The Turks established the Seljuk State of Turkey as the first great empire in Anatolia. Seljuk Turks, who raided Anatolia many times, completely dominated Anatolia with the victory of Malazgirt in 1071 in the 11th century and built the center of the state in Iznik for the first time in 1075. At the end of the 13th century, the state began to disintegrate, between 1250 and 1358, principalities called Tevâif-i Mülûk were established in various parts of Anatolia, and later, Osmanoğulları from these principalities established the Ottoman Empire. While establishing the Seljuk State in Anatolia, the official language of the Seljuks, which consisted of three main cultures - Turkish, Persian and Arab – was Persian, and the language of science and religion was Arabic. Traces of Byzantium were also seen in art and architecture. The Seljuk woman, who was in such a social diversity, was always the deputy and assistant of her husband. In the Seljuks, who had a classless society life, the social structure formed a completely different structure from the Medieval Europe, and all segments of the society, men and women, were considered equal in the face of shar’i provisions. Turan explained the situation by saying “Despite the acceptance of Islam and the Karakhanid and Seljuk rulers being devout Muslims, there was no change in women’s law; women’s political roles, social and legal positions continued for centuries.”
During the nomadic life, the Turkish woman, who rode horses and took part in wars, apart from the duty of motherhood, became known in important works and structures in the society, including state administration, when the settled life began. The oldest of the hospitals, which are still standing in all their glory in Anatolia today and were called Bîmâristân, Dârüşşifa and Dârussıhha at that time, was built in 1205 in Kayseri in the name of Gevher Nesibe Hatun. In its inscription it is written that, “Kılıçarslan’s son, during the reign of the Great Sultan Keyhüsrev, built this hospital in 602 as the testament of Kılıçarslan’s daughter, the name of religion and the world, Melike Gevher Nesibe.”
Women in Social Life
The Seljuk woman, who spent most of her day at home by organizing her house, cooking and taking care of her child. The Seljuk woman, who also had a religious identity, was also busy with her prayers in her home, which was the center of her life. When we look at the religious life, it is seen in the dhikr assemblies of Hodja Ahmed Yesevi (d. 562/1167) that women participated in the rituals together with the men and that this tradition, which revealed the balance between men and women, continued. When we look at the miniatures describing the Turkish Seljuk period, the depiction of men and women in almost the same physiognomy, in equal sizes and facing each other, is an indication that women are considered equal with men and that there is no gender discrimination in society. The woman, who hosted her guests at her home, was engaged in works that would contribute to the home economy in her free time. Traditional Turkish hospitality was well maintained by the Seljuks. Neighbors and women were competing to offer treats to each other. The most beautiful dishes in the world and enough bread for the next day were baked once a week and served to the guests while they were fresh.
