Zainab Tari Explained

Zainab Tari Soomro
Succession:5th Sardarni-regent of Sindh
Reign:1089–1098[1] [2] [3]
Reign-Type:Regency
Regent:Dodo I (1089–1092) and Sanghar (1092–1098)
Reg-Type:Monarch
Predecessor:Dodo I Soomro
Successor:Sanghar Soomro
Full Name:Zainab Tari binte Dodo I Soomro
House:House of Soomar
Dynasty:Soomra dynasty
Religion:Shia Islam
Father:Dodo I bin Bhungar I Soomro

Zainab (Sindhi: زينب, romanized: Zaīnab, lit. 'a fragrant tree'; Sindhi pronunciation: [ze:n'əb], born Zainab Tari binte Dodo I Soomro (Sindhi: زينب تاري بنت دودو اول سومرو) was the 5th Sardarni (Lady or Queen) of Soomra ruled Sindh,[4] who ruled from 1089 till 1098. She succeeded the rule of her father Dodo I, who nominated her before he retired, as his younger son, Sanghar, was still a minor. Zainab is considered to be the second woman in the Islamic world, after Arwa al-Sulayhi, to rule over a kingdom.

Life

She was the daughter of the Soomro King Asamuddin Daula Dodo Soomro of the Soomro dynasty, who ascended the throne of Sindh after the death of his father Asimuddin Bhoongar Soomro with the title Dodo-I. Since no male issue followed her, the King appointed tutors for the Princess who trained her how to rule the Kingdom and defend it from the enemies that had sacked Mansura.

King Dodo-I ruled Sindh. During this period of his rule a son was born to him whom he named Shahabuddin Sanghar. While Sanghar Soomro was still a minor, Dodo-I abdicated the throne to live a retired life. Since the Prince Shahabuddin Sanghar was a minor, the Council of Ministers and Sardars unanimously followed the wishes of their monarch and crowned Sanghar's sister Princess Zainab Tari as the ruler of Sindh.

During the rule of Zainab Tari, no foreign armies invaded Sindh, and the capital city Tharri expanded, and trade with foreign countries increased. After the tenth year of her rule, she handed over the rule to Sanghar, the king of Sindh. Tari retired to lead a family life.

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Book: M. H. Panhwar . Chronological Dictionary of Sindh . 226 . he abdicated in 481 A.H. (1088-89 A.D)., and lived a retired life. His daughter (Zenab) Tari ruled on behalf of her minor brother and handed over the rule to the latter (Sanghar) in 491 A.H. (1098 A.D.)..
  2. Book: M. H. Panhwar . Chronological Dictionary of Sindh . 229 . 1092 A.D.—485 A.H. : Dodo-I, Soomra died and his sister Tari ruled on behalf of her minor brother. She ruled well and handed over to Sanghar when he came of age. Daulat-i-Alviya states that (Zenab) Tari handed over the rule to her brother Sanghar in 491 A.H. (1098 A.D.). It further states that Dodo-I had abdicated in 481 A.H. (1088-1089 A.D.). to live a retired life. She ruled for 10 years and in 491 A.H. handed over to her brother (Shahab-uddin) Sanghar..
  3. Siddiqui . Dr. Habibullah . The Soomras of Sindh: their origin, main characteristics and rule. . Literary Conference on Soomra Period in Sindh.
  4. Book: Mahar Abdul Haq Sumra . The Soomras . Multan, Beacon Books . 1992 . 301088925.