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Aïcha al-Horra, generally known under her Spanish name Aixa (fl. 1493), was the spouse of Muhammed XI and of Abu l-Hasan Ali, and the mother of Muhammad XII. She was politically active and excerted influence upon the policy of state during the last years of the Emirate of Granada. Aixa is one of the best known women of the history of the Emirate of Granada.

Aixa was born a member of the ruling Nasrid dynasty of Granada, likely the daughter of Muhammed IX. She personally owned several palaces and properties. Aixa was first married to Muhammed XI; after his death in 1455, she was married by his successor Said to his heir, Abu l-Hasan Ali. Her second marriage was likely an attempt to make peace between the rival factions of the dynasty. Aixa was exiled to another palace with her sons after her spouse fell in love with his Christian slave Isabel de Solís and married her. In 1482, Aixa allied herself with the opposition party Abencerrages and had her husband deposed in favour of her son. Aixa was politically active dring the reign of her son Muhammed XII, also known as Boabdil. She is said to have prevented harassment of the Christians in Granada. In 1483, she handled the negotiations for the release of her son, who had been taken captive by the Castile. After the fall of Granada in 1492, she followed her son into exile—first to Alpujarras, and in 1493 to Fes.

A famous lagend says that when her deposed son Muhammad XII left Granada after its fall, he turned around and looked back upon it sadly. Aixa then replied:

"Thou dost weep like a woman for what thou couldst not defend as a man."

ابك اليوم بكاء النساء على ملك لم تحفظه حفظ الرجال

Ibka l-yawma bikā'a n-nisā'i ʿalā mulkin lam taḥfuẓhu ḥifẓa r-rijāl

Sources [link]

• This page is a translation of its French equivalent Aïcha al-Horra.
• This page is a translation of its Spanish equivalent Aixa.