Al-Zahir Baybars and His Reforms

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Questions and Answers

What was one of al-Zahir Baybars' actions to benefit the common people after settling in the sultanate?

Increased taxes to fund military campaigns

Closed all shops that didn't pay taxes

Introduced fines for those who didn't support the military

Abolished money confiscated under the pretext of fighting the Mongols (correct)

Which title did the sultan take after settling in the sultanate?

al-Zahir Baybars (correct)

al-Rashid

al-Mansur

al-Nasir

What did al-Zahir Baybars do regarding the taxation of the common people?

Increased taxes for landowners

Reduced taxes for them (correct)

Established new taxes for trade

Eliminated taxes entirely

What pretext was used for the confiscation of money that al-Zahir Baybars abolished?

Fighting the Mongols Signup and view all the answers

In what way did al-Zahir Baybars connect with the common people?

By reducing taxes and offering financial relief Signup and view all the answers

Who were the great princes that planned with Bīdrāa?

Hussam al-Din Lajin, Shams al-Din Qarasunqur, and Saif al-Din Bahadur Signup and view all the answers

What action did Bīdrāa take against al-Ashraf Khalil during the hunting expedition?

He struck him with a sword Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome after Bīdrāa struck al-Ashraf Khalil?

The princes killed al-Ashraf Khalil Signup and view all the answers

In which year did the event involving Bīdrāa and al-Ashraf Khalil occur?

1293 Signup and view all the answers

What was al-Ashraf Khalil engaged in at the time of the attack?

Hunting Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did Salah al-Din take regarding Cairo's defenses?

He restored the city walls. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Salah al-Din's restoration of the walls of Cairo limited?

He had conflicting roles as a minister and military leader. Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Salah al-Din restore the walls of al-Qāhira?

1171 Signup and view all the answers

What was the status of Cairo's walls before Salah al-Din's restoration?

They were demolished. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the primary military leader Salah al-Din served under?

Nūr al-Din Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason the Crusaders chose the road to Damietta?

It was the closest Egyptian port to them. Signup and view all the answers

What natural obstacles did the Crusaders overlook when invading Egypt?

Dams, canals, and flood waters. Signup and view all the answers

What mistake did the Crusaders make regarding their landing on the Nile?

They chose the wrong bank of the Nile facing Damietta. Signup and view all the answers

What consequence did the Crusaders face due to their landing strategy?

They lost valuable time and opportunity for a surprise attack. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a problem faced by the Crusaders?

Incurring heavy casualties from the Egyptian army. Signup and view all the answers

What motivated Baibars to summon a new emir from Bani Abbas?

To restore the Abbasid Caliphate. Signup and view all the answers

What was Baibars' attitude towards the new caliphate he established?

He wished to limit the new caliph's influence. Signup and view all the answers

Which lineage did Baibars seek to represent when pledging allegiance to a new caliph?

Bani Abbas. Signup and view all the answers

What event primarily drove Baibars to take action regarding the caliphate?

The death of the Caliph. Signup and view all the answers

What specific structure did he repair to protect it from Bedouin attacks?

The Damanhūr wall Signup and view all the answers

How did Baibars view the role of the new emir in relation to the caliphate?

As someone to be dominated. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of renewing the canal mentioned?

To channel Nile water to the mountain Signup and view all the answers

Who is likely targeted by the defenses of the Damanhūr wall?

Nomadic tribes Signup and view all the answers

What action was taken to support agricultural activities mentioned in the content?

Renew the canal for water flow Signup and view all the answers

What geographical feature is directly mentioned in relation to the canal?

The mountain Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Ayyubid Period in Egypt (567-648/1171-1250)

A short period of 80 years, the Ayyubid sultans faced internal conflict with the Fatimids and external conflict with Crusaders who established kingdoms in the Levant (Antioch, Edessa, Tripoli, Jerusalem).
The Late 5th/11th century witnessed a violent period in the Arab world due to the arrival of the First Crusade (490/1097).
The Crusaders' success wasn't due to strength but the weakening of the Muslims' caliphates (Abassid Sunni caliphate in Baghdad and Fatimid Shiite caliphate in Cairo).
Fatimid caliphate was initially tricked by Crusaders but later realised their goal and expansiveness within the Levant.
Fatimid armies were defeated enabling Baldwin I (Crusader king of Jerusalem) to penetrate to Egypt until Tennis (south of al-Manzala Lake) where he died in 512/1118.
There were competition between ministers in Egypt who used external forces to support their positions against opponents marking a new stage in Egypt´s history.
Salah al-Din united the Islamic forces and was appointed as a minister of his Fatimid caliph and the leader of the forces of the Nūr al-dīn.
Salah al-Din restored the walls of Cairo, built additional fortifications, and expanded defence to defend the country against external attacks after defeating Crusaders and other Islamic separatist forces.
Salah al-Din fought the Crusaders, and his actions led to the victory at the Battle of Hattin (583/1187).
The Treaty of al-Ramalah was concluded by Salah al-Din (588/1192).
The coastal area from Tyre (Southern Lebanon) to Jaffa in Palestine belonged to the Crusaders.
Jerusalem remained with the Muslims.
He died in Damascus in 589/1193.

The Ayyubid State After Salah Al-Din

Salah al-Din divided his kingdom among his children, establishing Damascus to the one son Nur al-dīn and Egypt to another.
Al-Malik al-'Aziz 'Uthman took over, as representative for his father, in the Egyptian lands during his father's absence.

The Fourth Crusade

The Fourth Crusade (599-601/1202-1204) aimed to regain Jerusalem, but they failed to attack Egypt, with the failure to attack Egypt
The Crusaders chose Damietta, instead of the Nile bank, which caused problems and great loss of time for them.
The Fatimid Caliphate fell after the insistence of the Nūr al-dīn on Salah al-Din, with the removal of the Fatimid caliph in 567/1171.

The Battle of Hattin (583/1187)

A decisive battle between the Crusaders and the Muslims that occurred in the village of Hittin in Palestine.
The Crusaders were defeated by Salah al-Din, which eliminated the entire crusader army at the Battle of Hattin.

The Sixth Crusade

Emperor Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire led a crusade, intended to be a peaceful negotiation with Salah al-Din, to secure Jerusalem.
Frederick came to the Levant with a small force of knights
A deal was made between the Sultanate and Frederick that enabled the Crusaders to take Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Sidon with the stipulation that Jerusalem stays as is, and Muslims retain control over the Haram and Aqsa mosque.

The Fifth Crusade (615/1218)

Another major crusade aimed at Egypt, with a march on Damietta.
Significant delay in the Crusaders' attack and inability to face the Nile obstacles
The campaign was unsuccessful

The Seventh Crusade (647/1249)

Led by Louis IX of France, it aimed to conquer Egypt and ultimately Jerusalem.
Louis IX and his army faced multiple obstacles including a well-fortified Damietta, which led to a significant delay in their attack, and loss of time.
Eventually the Crusaders were defeated, largely due to the death of Sultan al-Salih Najm al-Din

The Battle of al-Manṣūrah (647/1249)

The campaign led by Louis IX ended in failure, after the death of the Sultan al-Salih Najm al-Din.

Battle of Ain Jalut (702/1302)

The final defeat of the Mongols by the Mamluks in Palestine
Significant strategic importance as this saved the Near East from Mongol conquest.

The Circassian Mamluk State

Barquq seized power as the new Sultanate of the Circassians Mamluks.
Took control of several regions and successfully defended against Crusades and Mongols.

The Fall of the Mamluk State

The Mamluk state was ultimately overtaken by the Ottoman Turks.
The reasons for the demise of the Mamluk state was due to political and economic factors that weakened it over time.

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Description

Explore the significant actions of al-Zahir Baybars during his rule and how he connected with the common people. This quiz covers his reforms in taxation, his relationship with the princes, and key events involving Bīdrāa and al-Ashraf Khalil. Test your knowledge on the historical impacts of his leadership.