Information about Berkuk

Al-Malik Az-Zahir Sayf ad-Din Barquq (Arabic: المالك الظاهر سيف الدين برقوق) (ruled 1382–1389 and 1390 –1399, also spelled Barkuk, Berkuk) was the first sultan of the Mamluk Burji dynasty.

Early life

Barquq was of Circassian origin, and was acquired as a slave and became a mamluk in the household of Yalbogha al-`Umari in approximately 1363-64 (or 764 on the Islamic calendar).^[1]

Rise to power

Since 1341 the Mamluk empire had been ruled by the descendants of al-Nasir Muhammad, but none of them were strong enough to exert effective control. In fact, many of them were minors at the time of their accession, and would act as puppets for one or another competing Mamluk faction. This happened in 1377, when the sultan al-Ashraf Sha`ban, who had ruled in his own stead since 1366, was overthrown and killed. The rebelling Mamluks replaced him on the throne with his seven-year-old son. When that puppet sultan died, he was replaced by the younger brother. Barquq was a member of the faction behind the throne, serving in various powerful capacities in the court of the boy sultans. He consolidated his power until in November 1382 he was able to depose sultan al-Salih Hajji and claim the sultanate for himself. He took the reign name al-Zahir, perhaps in imitation of the sultan al-Zahir Baybars.^[2]

First reign (1382-1389)

Barquq placed many of his own family in positions of power to the detriment of fellow Mamluks, attempting to solidify his position. He sponsored the construction of the Madrasa-Khanqa of Sultan Barquq in the center of Cairo. Completed in 1386, it was a pious foundation designed to serve as both a khanqah and a madrasa. It is one of the three dominant Islamic monuments clustered on the street Bayn al-Qasrayn in Fatimid Cairo. Although often called the Mausoleum of Barquq, only his daughter is buried there.^[3]

The central caravanserai of the famous Cairo souk Khan El-Khalili was founded in the first year of his first reign, though it was founded by his emir, Djaharks el-Khalili.

Revolt

The year 1389 saw the revolt of two Mamluk governors from the northern end of the empire, Mintash, governor of Malatya, and Yalbogha al-Nasiri, governor of Aleppo (not to be confused with Yalbogha al-`Umari). After securing Syria they marched toward Cairo. Barquq attempted to escape, but was captured and sent to al-Karak. Meanwhile, the two governors restored Hajji to the throne, who now took the reign name al-Mansur. Fighting developed among the Mamluk factions in Cairo, and Barquq's supporters overcame the rebels. Barquq returned to Cairo in February 1390.^[4]

Second reign (1390-1399)

During Barquq's second reign he succeeded in replacing almost all governors and senior officials with members of his own household.

Berkuk became an enemy of Timur after Timur's invasion of Baghdad, and his intension to invade Syria. He prepared a large army to fight Timur, but Timur fled when he knew about Berkuk's army, while Berkuk expelled the remaining Mongol-Tatar armies.

Barquq died in June 1399 and was buried in Cairo's Northern Cemetery. He was succeeded by his son Faraj, who became known as al-Nasir Faraj.

Notes

References

• Holt, P. M. (1986). The Age of the Crusades: the Near East from the Eleventh Century to 1517. Longman. ISBN 0-582-49302-1.Longman&rft.isbn=0-582-49302-1"> 
• Williams, Caroline (2002). Islamic Monuments in Cairo: the Practical Guide. American University in Cairo Press. ISBN 977-424-695-0.