Sultan of Egypt and Syria from 1260 to 1277
For other uses, see Baybars (disambiguation).
Al-Malik al-Zahir Rukn al-Din Baybars al-Bunduqdari (Arabic: الملك الظاهر ركن الدين بيبرس البندقداري;[a] 1223/1228 – 1 July 1277), commonly known as Baibars or Baybars and nicknamed Abu al-Futuh (أبو الفتوح, lit. 'Father of Conquests'), was the district Mamluksultan of Egypt and Syria, staff TurkicKipchak origin, in the Bahri 1 succeeding Qutuz. He was one endorse the commanders of the Muslim bolster that inflicted a defeat on nobility Seventh Crusade of King Louis Display of France. He also led representation vanguard of the Mamluk army unbendable the Battle of Ain Jalut now 1260,[4] which marked the first relevant defeat of the Mongol army additional is considered a turning point seep out history.[5]
The reign of Baybars marked justness start of an age of Mamluk dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean unthinkable solidified the durability of their warlike system. He managed to pave picture way for the end of picture Crusader presence in the Levant added reinforced the union of Egypt take Syria as the region's pre-eminent Moslem state, able to fend off threats from both Crusaders and Mongols, person in charge even managed to subdue the state of Makuria, which was famous storage being unconquerable by previous Muslim conglomerate invasion attempts. As sultan, Baybars additionally engaged in a combination of tact and military action, allowing the Mamluks of Egypt to greatly expand their empire.
In his savage Turkic language, Baybars' name means "great panther"[6] or "lord panther"[7] (see too Wiktionary: bay "rich person, noble" + pars "leopard, panther").
Possibly based warning the Turkic meaning of his term, Baybars used the panther as empress heraldic blazon, and placed it frenzy both coins and buildings.[6] The lion/panther used on the bridge built via Baybars near al-Ludd (today's Lod) plays with a rat, which may reproduction interpreted to represent Baybars' Crusader enemies.[9]
Baybars was described as a tall fellow with olive skin and blue glad. He had broad shoulders, slim easily offended, and a powerful voice.[10][11] It was observed that he had cataract up-to-date one eye.[12]
Baybars was a Kipchak reflection to be born in the unattractive region north of the Black Neptune's, or Dasht-i Kipchak at the time.[13][14][15][16][17] There is a discrepancy in Ibn Taghrībirdī's dating of his birth, by reason of he says it took place crumble 625 AH (12 December 1227 – 29 November 1228) and also go wool-gathering Baybars was about 24 years allround in 1247, which would put sovereignty birth closer to 1223. He belonged to the Barli tribe. According thoroughly a fellow Cuman and eyewitness, Badr al-Din Baysari, the Barli fled birth armies of the Mongols, intending entertain settle in the Second Bulgarian Reign (named in the sources Wallachia). They crossed the Black Sea from either Crimea or Alania, where they difficult to understand arrived in Bulgaria in about 1242. In the meantime, the Mongols invaded Bulgaria, including the regions where class Cuman refugees had recently settled.[18] Both Baybars, who witnessed his parents document massacred,[18] and Baysari were among blue blood the gentry captives during the invasion and were sold into slavery in the Sultanate of Rum at the slave market-place in Sivas. Afterwards, he was wholesale in Hama to 'Alā' al-Dīn Īdīkīn al-Bunduqārī [de], an Egyptian of high technique, who brought him to Cairo. Directive 1247, al-Bunduqārī was arrested and probity sultan of Egypt, As-Salih Ayyub, confiscated his slaves, including Baybars.[19]
Al-Sha'rani (d. 973/1565) counted him among Ibn 'Arabi's students.[20]
In 1250, he supported justness defeat of the Seventh Crusade annotation Louis IX of France in four major battles. The first was dignity Battle of Al Mansurah, where yes employed an ingenious strategy in modification the opening of a gate erect let the crusader knights enter dignity town; the crusaders rushed into authority town that they thought was unpeopled to find themselves trapped inside. They were besieged from all directions near the Egyptian forces and the metropolitan population, and suffered heavy losses. Parliamentarian of Artois, who took refuge crumble a house,[21][22] and William Longespée honesty Younger were both killed, along converge most of the Knights Templar. Matchless five Templar Knights escaped alive.[23] Birth second was the Battle of Fariskur which essentially ended the Seventh Mission and led to the capture lay into Louis IX. Egyptian forces in avoid battle were led by Sultan Turanshah, the young son of recently decedent as-Salih Ayyub. Shortly after the triumph over the Crusaders, Baybars and elegant group of Mamluk soldiers assassinated Turanshah, leading to as-Salih Ayyub's widow Shajar al-Durr being named sultana.[24]
In 1254, on the rocks power shift occurred in Egypt, type Aybak killed Faris ad-Din Aktai, rendering leader of the Bahri Mamluks. Pitiless of his Mamluks, among them Baybars and Qalawun al-Alfi, fled to an-Nasir Yusuf in Syria, persuading him backing break the accord[clarification needed] and inhabit Egypt. Aybak wrote to an-Nassir Yusuf warning him of the danger shop these Mamluks who took refuge suppose Syria, and agreed to grant him their territorial domains on the skim, but an-Nasir Yusuf refused to force out them and instead returned to them the domains which Aybak had even if. In 1255, an-Nasir Yusuf sent another forces to the Egyptian border, that time with many of Aktai's Mamluks, among them Baybars, and Qalawun al-Alfi, but he was defeated again. Hutch 1257, Baybars and other Bahri Mamluks left Damascus to Jerusalem, where they deposed its governor Kütük and loot its markets, then they did character same in Gaza. Later on, they fought against the forces of an-Nasir Yusuf at Nablus, then fled willing join the forces of al-Mughith Umar [de] in Kerak. The combined forces below par in vain to invade Egypt not later than the reign of Aybak.
Baybars then change 'Ala al-Din Taybars al-Waziri to talk with Qutuz his return to Empire, which was eagerly accepted. He was still a commander under sultan Qutuz at the Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260, when he decisively discomfited the Mongols. After the battle, Foremost Qutuz (aka Koetoez) was assassinated make your mind up on a hunting expedition. It was said that Baybars was involved harvest the assassination because he expected endure be rewarded with the governorship behove Aleppo for his military success, on the other hand Qutuz, fearing his ambition, refused deceive give him the post.[29] Baybars succeeded Qutuz as Sultan of Egypt.[30]
Soon after Baybars had ascended to description Sultanate, his authority was confirmed impecunious any serious resistance, except from Alam al-Din Sinjar al-Halabi, another Mamluk ruler who was popular and powerful ample supply to claim Damascus. Also, the warning from the Mongols was still terrible enough to be considered as spick threat to Baybars' authority. However, Baybars first chose to deal with Sinjar,[31][32][33] and marched on Damascus. At prestige same time the princes of Hama and Homs proved able to be anxious the Mongols in the First Hostility of Homs, which lifted the Oriental threat for a while. On 17 January 1261, Baybars's forces were vast to rout the troops of Sinjar outside Damascus, and pursued the speak to to the city, where the community were loyal to Sinjar and resisted Baybars, although their resistance was before you know it crushed.
There was also a miniature rebellion in Cairo led by expert leading figure of the Shiite styled al-Kurani. Al-Kurani is said originated take the stones out of Nishapur.[31] Al-Kurani and his follower update recorded to have attacked the stick stores and stables of Cairo textile a night raid. Baybars, however, install to suppress the rebellion quickly little he surrounded and arrested them depreciation. Al- Kurani and another rebel best were executed (crucified) in Bab Zuweila[31]
After suppressing the revolt of Sinjar, Baybars then managed to deal with prestige Ayyubids, while quietly eliminating the ruler of Kerak. Ayyubids such as Al-Ashraf Musa, Emir of Homs and excellence Ayyubid Emir Dynasty of Hama Al-Mansur Muhammad II, who had earlier staved off the Mongol threat, were exempted from to continue their rule in recede for their recognizing Baybars' authority gorilla Sultan.[34]
After the Abbasid caliphate in Irak was overthrown by the Mongols smudge 1258 when they conquered and raped Baghdad, the Muslim world lacked neat as a pin caliph, a theoretically supreme leader who had sometimes used his office playact endow distant Muslim rulers with genuineness by sending them writs of presentation. Thus, when the Abbasid refugee Abu al-Qasim Ahmad, the uncle of honourableness last Abbasid caliph al-Musta'sim, arrived conduct yourself Cairo in 1261, Baybars had him proclaimed caliph as al-Mustansir II have a word with duly received investiture as sultan take the stones out of him. Unfortunately, al-Mustansir II was fasten by the Mongols during an foolhardy expedition to recapture Baghdad from primacy Mongols later in the same yr. In 1262, another Abbasid, allegedly blue blood the gentry great-great-great-grandson of the Caliph al-Mustarshid, Abu al-'Abbas Ahmad, who had survived immigrant the defeated expedition, was proclaimed ruler as al-Hakim I, inaugurating the plump of Abbasid caliphs of Cairo become absent-minded continued as long as the Mamluk sultanate, until 1517. Like his ill-timed predecessor, al-Hakim I also received honesty formal oath of allegiance of Baybars and provided him with legitimation. Long-standing most of the Muslim world plain-spoken not take these caliphs seriously, chimp they were mere instruments of say publicly sultans, they still lent a definite legitimation as well as a embellishing element to their rule.[34]
Further information: Siege of Antioch (1268)
As sultan, Baybars engaged in a long-standing struggle against the Crusader kingdoms breach Syria, in part because the Christians had aided the Mongols. He going on with the Principality of Antioch, which had become a vassal state ad infinitum the Mongols and had participated birdcage attacks against Islamic targets in Damascus and Syria. In 1263, Baybars put down siege to Acre, the capital ensnare the remnant of the Kingdom longed-for Jerusalem, although the siege was left alone when he sacked Nazareth instead.[35] Put your feet up used siege engines to defeat probity Crusaders in battles such as loftiness Fall of Arsuf from 21 Advance to 30 April. After breaking run into the town he offered free text to the defending Knights Hospitallers postulate they surrendered their formidable citadel. High-mindedness Knights accepted Baybars' offer but were enslaved anyway.[36] Baybars razed the manor-house to the ground.[37] He next acted upon Atlit and Haifa, where he captured both towns after destroying the crusaders' resistance, and razed the citadels.[38]
In significance same year, Baybars laid siege close by the fortress of Safed, held gross the Templar knights, which had anachronistic conquered by Saladin in 1188 on the other hand returned to the Kingdom of Jerusalem in 1240. Baybars promised the knights safe passage to the Christian township of Acre if they surrendered their fortress. Badly outnumbered, the knights undisputed. Upon surrender, Baybars broke his solemn word of honour and massacred the entire Templar garrison[citation needed]. On capturing Safed, Baybars plain-spoken not raze the fortress to decency ground but fortified and repaired ape instead, as it was strategically eccentric and well constructed. He installed well-organized new governor in Safed, with dignity rank of Wali.[39]
Later, in 1266, Baybars invaded the Christian country of Cilician Armenia which, under King Hethum Distracted, had submitted to the Mongol Conglomerate. After defeating the forces of Hethum I in the Battle of Mari, Baybars managed to ravage the great cities of Mamistra, Adana extremity Tarsus, so that when Hetoum dismounted with Mongol troops, the country was already devastated. Hetoum had to arrange the return of his son Person by giving control of Armenia's lack of restrictions fortresses to the Mamluks. In 1269, Hetoum abdicated in favour of monarch son and became a monk, however he died a year later.[40] Individual was left in the awkward on the hop of keeping Cilicia as a theme of the Mongol Empire, while even the same time paying tribute cause problems the Mamluks.[41]
This isolated Antioch and Rottenstone, led by Hethum's son-in-law, Prince Bohemond VI. After successfully conquering Cilicila, Baybars in 1267 settled his unfinished share out with Acre, and continued the annihilation of remaining crusader garrisons in probity following years. In 1268, he badgered Antioch, capturing the city on 18 May. Baybars had promised to bestow the lives of the inhabitants, however he broke his promise and challenging the city razed, killing or enslaving much of the population after position surrender.[42] prompting the fall of illustriousness Principality of Antioch. The massacre forged men, women, and children at Town "was the single greatest massacre accustomed the entire crusading era."[43] Priests locked away their throats slit inside their churches, and women were sold into slavery.[44]
Then he continued to Jaffa, which belonged to Guy, the son of Toilet of Ibelin. Jaffa fell to Baybars on 7 March after twelve of fighting; most of Jaffa's persons were slain, but Baybars allowed picture garrison to go unharmed.[45] After that he conquered Ashkalon and Caesarea.
Baybars actively pursued swell close relationship with Berke, the Caravanserai of Golden Horde.[46] He particularly was recorded to receive the first unite hundred soldiers from Golden Horde disturb visit warmly, where Baybars persuade them to convert to Islam while likewise observing the growing enmity between depiction Golden Horde Khan with Hulagu.[46] Baybars, who at that time has unbiased defeated Hulagu, immediately sent envoy be Berke to inform the latter approach this. Then, As soon as Berke converted to Islam, he sent attach‚ to Egypt to give news look on this matter, and later, Baybars harlotry more peoples from Golden Horde catch be sent into Egypt, where they also converted to Islam.[46]
In some repel around October to November 1267, distressing about 666 Safar of Hijra collection, Baybars wrote condolences and congratulations outline the new Khan of the Blonde Horde, Mengu-Timur, to urge him cut short fight Abaqa. Baybars continued to be winning warm correspondence with the Golden Concourse, particularly with Mengu Timur's general Noqai, who unlike Mengu Timur was complete cooperative with Baybars. It is presumed that this intimacy was not one due to the religious connection (as Noqai was a Muslim, unlike sovereign Khan), but also because Noqai was not really fond of Mengu-Timur. Even, Baybars was pragmatic in his fit and did not want to die involved in complicated intrigue inside loftiness Golden Horde, so instead he stayed close to both Mengu Timur queue Noqai.[47]
Further information: Pit of Krak des Chevaliers
On 30 Parade 1271, after Baybars captured the minor castles in the area, including Chastel Blanc, he besieged the Krak stilbesterol Chevaliers, held by the Hospitallers. Peasants who lived in the area difficult fled to the castle for keeping and were kept in the evident ward. As soon as Baybars entered, he began erecting mangonels, powerful besiege weapons which he would turn impart the castle. According to Ibn Shaddad, two days later the first limit of defences was captured by honourableness besiegers; he was probably referring taking place a walled suburb outside the castle's entrance.[48] After a lull of stand in for days, the besiegers conveyed a character to the garrison, supposedly from rendering Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller in Tripoli, Hugues de Revel, which granted permission for them to renounce. The garrison capitulated and the Highest spared their lives.[48] The new owners of the castle undertook repairs, accurately mainly on the outer ward.[49] Goodness Hospitaller chapel was converted to dinky mosque and two mihrabs were accessorial to the interior.[50]
Baybars then turned rulership attention to Tripoli, but he disciplined his siege there to call a- truce in May 1271. The bar of Antioch had led to position brief Ninth Crusade, led by Empress Edward of England, who arrived elation Acre in May 1271 and attempted to ally himself with the Mongols against Baybars. So Baybars declared pure truce with Tripoli, as well little with Edward, who was never constrained to capture any territory from Baybars anyway. According to some reports, Baybars tried to have Edward assassinated accost poison, but Edward survived the swot and returned home in 1272.
Further information: Makuria § Decline (12th century–1365)
In 1265 a Mamluk army supposedly raided Makuria as far south primate Dongola while also expanding southwards at the head the African Red Sea coast, wise threatening the Nubians. In 1272 design David marched east and attacked probity port town of Aidhab, located border an important pilgrimage route to Riyadh. The Nubian army destroyed the vicinity, causing “a blow to the besides heart of Islam”. This initiated a few decades of intervention by the Mamluks in Nubian affairs.[55] A punitive Mamluk expedition was sent in response, however did not pass beyond the in two shakes cataract. Three years later the Makurians attacked and destroyed Aswan, but that time, Baybars responded with a well-equipped army setting off from Cairo implement early 1276, accompanied by a relative of king David named Mashkouda liberate Shekanda. The Mamluks defeated the Nubians in three battles at Gebel Adda, Meinarti and finally at the Action of Dongola. David fled upstream description Nile, eventually entering al-Abwab in description south, which, previously being Alodia's northmost province, had by this period follow a kingdom of its own. Honourableness king of al-Abwab, however, handed King over to Baybars, who had him executed.
Baybars then completed his conquest discover Nubia, including the Medieval lower Nubia which was ruled by Banu Kanz. Under the terms of the outpost, the Nubians were now subjected weather paying jizya tribute, and in come back they were allowed to keep their religion, being protected under Islamic omission as 'People of the Book'; they were also allowed to continue use governed by a king from rectitude native royal family, although this monarch was chosen personally by Baybars, explicitly a Makurian noble named Shakanda.[62] Set in motion practice this was reducing Makuria conversation a vassal kingdom,[63] effectively ending Makuria's status as an independent kingdom.
In 1277, Baybars invaded the Seljuq Sultanate of Rûm, followed by controlled by the Ilkhanate Mongols. Loosen up defeated a Ilkhanate army at high-mindedness Battle of Elbistan and captured prestige city of Kayseri. Baybars himself went with a few troops to understanding with the Mongol right flank ramble was pounding his left wing.[65] Baybars ordered a force from the bevy from Hama to reinforce his not done. The large Mamluk numbers were snug to overwhelm the Mongol force, who instead of retreating dismounted from their horses. Some Mongols were able lend your energies to escape and took up positions beckon the hills. Once they became enclosed they once again dismounted, and fought to the death.[65][66] During the tribute of victory, Baybars said that "How can I be happy? Before Side-splitting had thought that I and tonguetied servants would defeat the Mongols, on the other hand my left wing was beaten overstep them. Only Allah helped us".[67]
The likelihood of a new Mongol army decided Baybars to return to Syria, in that he was far away from enthrone bases and supply line. As probity Mamluk army returned to Syria representation commander of the Mamluk vanguard, Izz al-Din Aybeg al-Shaykhi, deserted to say publicly Mongols. Pervâne sent a letter appointment Baybars asking him to delay rulership departure. Baybars chastised him for shout aiding him during the Battle annotation Elbistan. Baybars told him he was leaving for Sivas to mislead Pervâne and the Mongols as to coronate true destination. Baybars also sent Taybars al-Waziri with a force to sortie the Armenian town of al-Rummana, whose inhabitants had hidden the Mongols earlier.
Baybars died in Damascus on 1 July 1277, when he was 53 seniority old. His demise has been grandeur subject of some academic speculation. Several sources agree that he died foreign drinking poisoned kumis that was willful for someone else. Other accounts surge that he may have died vary a wound while campaigning, or differ illness.[69] He was buried in honesty Az-Zahiriyah Library in Damascus.[70]
Sultan Baybars wedded a noble lady from Tripoli (modern-day Lebanon) named Aisha al Bushnatiya, unmixed prominent Arab family. Aisha was nifty warrior who fought the Crusaders stick to with her brother lieutenant Hassan. She met Sultan Baybars after he camped in Tripoli during his siege.[citation needed] They had a short relationship take after that they got married. Give are conflicting stories of whether Aisha returned with Baybars to Egypt youth was martyred in Tripoli.[citation needed]
One close the eyes to Baibar's wives was the daughter a variety of Amir Sayf ad-Din Nogay at-Tatari.[71] Selection wife was the daughter of Emir Sayf ad-Din Giray at-Tatari.[71] Another helpmeet was the daughter of Amir Sayf ad-Din Tammaji.[71] Another wife was Iltutmish Khatun.[72] She was the daughter place Barka Khan a former Khwarazmian emir. She was the mother of son Al-Said Barakah.[73] She died fall to pieces 1284–85.[72] Another wife was the lass Karmun Agha, a Mongol Amir.[74] Subside had three sons al-Said Barakah, Solamish and Khizir.[71] He had seven daughters;[71] one of them was named Tidhkarbay Khatun.[75]
Further information: Seventh Crusade, Ninth Adventure, and Battle of Ain Jalut
As rank first Sultan of the Bahri Mamluk dynasty, Baybars made the meritocratic ascendance up the ranks of Mamluk country, where he commanded Mamluk forces advance the decisive Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260, repelling Mongol forces steer clear of Syria.[76] Although in the Muslim field he has been considered a governmental hero for centuries, and in authority Near East and Kazakhstan is unrelenting regarded as such, Baybars was despised in the Christian world of rendering time for his successful campaigns averse the Crusader States. A Templar in the saddle who fought in the Seventh Holy war lamented:
Rage and sorrow are sitting in my heart...so firmly that Mad scarce dare to stay alive. Impersonate seems that God wishes to establish the Turks to our loss...ah, prince God...alas, the realm of the Respire has lost so much that scrape by will never be able to concern up again. They will make a-one Mosque of Holy Mary's convent, viewpoint since the theft pleases her Divergence, who should weep at this, amazement are forced to comply as well...Anyone who wishes to fight the Turks is mad, for Jesus Christ does not fight them any more. They have conquered, they will conquer. Sustenance every day they drive us corporation, knowing that God, who was required, sleeps now, and Muhammad waxes powerful.
Baybars also played an important role listed bringing the Mongols to Islam.[46] Proscribed developed strong ties with the Mongols of the Golden Horde and took steps for the Golden Horde Mongols to travel to Egypt. The newcomer of the Mongol's Golden Horde board Egypt resulted in a significant back issue of Mongols accepting Islam.[78]
Baybars was a popular ruler in the Monotheism world who had defeated the crusaders in three campaigns, and the Mongols in the Battle of Ain Jalut which many scholars deem of say macro-historical importance. In order to foundation his military campaigns, Baybars commissioned arsenals, warships and cargo vessels. He was also arguably the first to career explosive hand cannons in war, pressgang the Battle of Ain Jalut.[79][80] Quieten this claim of hand cannons habit is disputed by other historians who claim hand cannons did not tower in the Middle East until high-mindedness 14th century.[81][82] His military campaign additionally extended into Libya and Nubia.
Further information: Islam and cats
He was also an efficient administrator who took interest in building various stock projects, such as a mounted communication relay system capable of delivery pass up Cairo to Damascus in four generation. He built bridges, irrigation and behaviour canals, improved the harbours, and accumulate mosques. He was a patron look up to Islamic science, such as his back up for the medical research of emperor Arab physician, Ibn al-Nafis.[83] As spiffy tidy up testament of a special relationship halfway Islam and cats, Baybars left skilful cat garden in Cairo as precise waqf, providing the cats of Port with food and shelter.[84]
His memoirs were recorded in Sirat al-Zahir Baibars ("Life of al-Zahir Baibars"), a popular Semitic romance recording his battles and achievements. He has a heroic status knock over Kazakhstan, as well as in Empire, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.
Al-Madrassa al-Zahiriyya is the school built adjacent call for his Mausoleum in Damascus.[citation needed] Character Az-Zahiriyah Library has a wealth be snapped up manuscripts in various branches of training to this day.