Nafisa al-Bayda facts for kids

Nafisa al-Bayda was a very important woman in Egypt during the late 1700s and early 1800s. She was married to two powerful Mamluk leaders, Ali Bey al-Kabir and Murad Bey. Nafisa was known for being a smart businesswoman and for helping others. She is most famous for her important role as a diplomat. She helped make peace between her husband, Murad Bey, and the French army led by Napoleon Bonaparte when they invaded Egypt between 1798 and 1801.

Life Story of Nafisa al-Bayda

Her Early Life and Background

We don't know exactly where Nafisa al-Bayda was born. She was called a "white slave." This was common for women who became wives or partners of the Mamluk leaders in Egypt. Mamluks were often from places like Circassia or Georgia. They usually preferred to marry women from similar backgrounds.

Nafisa al-Bayda is thought to have come from the Caucasus region. Her parents might have sold her to traders because they were poor. This was a way for some families to survive during that time.

Marriage to Ali Bey al-Kabir

Nafisa al-Bayda was brought to the home of Ali Bey al-Kabir in Cairo. He was a powerful Mamluk leader. She became his favorite partner. Later, he set her free and married her. This was a common path for women who married Mamluk leaders.

In 1768, Ali Bey al-Kabir took control of Egypt from the Ottoman Empire for a short time. He became the ruler. Nafisa al-Bayda became a widow in 1773 after Ali Bey al-Kabir died.

Marriage to Murad Bey and Diplomacy

After Ali Bey al-Kabir died, Nafisa al-Bayda married another Mamluk leader, Murad Bey. It was common for Mamluk leaders to marry the widows of other leaders. This helped them create strong alliances and connections. Murad Bey was a very powerful ruler in Egypt from 1791 to 1798.

In 1798, France invaded Egypt under Napoleon Bonaparte. After a big battle near the pyramids, Murad Bey ran away to organize a fight against the French. Nafisa al-Bayda stayed in Cairo during this time. She became a key person in communicating between her husband and the French. She also helped the French merchants in Cairo.

When Murad Bey died in 1801, Nafisa al-Bayda was a widow again. She used her good relationship with the French to protect her husband's property. She even invited Napoleon Bonaparte to her home to talk. She managed to keep his property, though she had to pay a large amount of money.

Nafisa al-Bayda's Business and Charity Work

Successful Business Investments

In Islamic law, women were allowed to control their own money. Nafisa al-Bayda used this right. Like many other wealthy Mamluk women, she invested in businesses. She could manage these investments from her home. She became a very successful and rich investor.

Charitable Projects

Nafisa al-Bayda also followed the example of other rich Mamluk women by giving to charity. Her most famous project was building a special place in Cairo in 1796. This building was called the Sabil-Kuttub Nafisa al-Bayda. It had a water fountain for people to drink from. It also had a school for children who didn't have parents.