Melike Mama Hatun

Melike Mama Hatun, or simply Mama Hatun, was a female ruler of the Saltukid dynasty, 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.

Her tomb - build by masters from Ahlat - is also in Tercan. The town itself was called Mamahatun until recently, and is still referred to as such locally.

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