Al-Salih Ismail, Sultan of Egypt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isma'il |
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| Al-Malik as-Salih | |||||
| Sultan of Egypt and Syria | |||||
| Reign | June 1342 – August 1345 | ||||
| Predecessor | An-Nasir Ahmad | ||||
| Successor | Al-Kamil Sha'ban | ||||
| Born | 1326 Cairo, Mamluk Sultanate |
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| Died | 4 August 1345 (aged 20) Cairo, Mamluk Sultanate |
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| Spouse | Ittifaq Bint Baktamur as-Saqi Bint Tuquzdamur al-Hamawi |
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| Issue | None | ||||
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| House | Qalawuni | ||||
| Dynasty | Bahri | ||||
| Father | An-Nasir Muhammad | ||||
| Religion | Islam | ||||
As-Salih Isma'il (born 1326, died 4 August 1345) was a Mamluk sultan who ruled Egypt and Syria. He was part of the Bahri dynasty. Isma'il became sultan in June 1342 and ruled until August 1345. He was the fourth son of Sultan an-Nasir Muhammad to become sultan. During his time as ruler, the country became more stable. He was followed by his brother, al-Kamil Sha'ban.
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Early Life and Family
Isma'il was born around 1324 or 1325. He was probably named after Abu'l Fida Isma'il, an important leader from Hama. This leader was a favorite of Isma'il's father, Sultan an-Nasir Muhammad. Isma'il's mother was one of his father's wives, but her name is not known from old records.
Isma'il's Marriages
In 1342, Isma'il married a woman named Ittifaq. They had a son that same year, whose name is not recorded. In July 1343, he married the daughter of a leader named Emir Baktamur as-Saqi. They had a daughter together. The next year, in January 1344, he married another woman. She was the daughter of Emir Tuquzdamur al-Hamawi.
Becoming Sultan
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After Isma'il's father, Sultan an-Nasir Muhammad, died in 1341, three of his sons became sultan one after another. However, the first two, al-Mansur Abu Bakr and al-Ashraf Kujuk, did not have much real power. Important Mamluk leaders were actually in charge.
The Rule of An-Nasir Ahmad
The third son, an-Nasir Ahmad, became sultan in January 1342. But he preferred to stay hidden away in a desert castle called al-Karak. He did not want to return to Cairo, the capital city. Because of this, the leaders in Egypt decided to remove him from power in June.
Isma'il Takes the Throne
The main Mamluk leaders then chose Isma'il to be the new sultan. He was known as "as-Salih Isma'il." He was 17 years old when he became sultan in June 1342. Isma'il was known for being a very religious person. He also made a promise to the Mamluk leaders. He said he would not harm any Mamluk unless they did something wrong. In return, the leaders promised to be loyal to him.
Securing His Rule
An-Nasir Ahmad, who was still in al-Karak, did not want to give up being sultan. So, Isma'il sent several armies to capture him. Finally, in July 1344, An-Nasir Ahmad was captured. He later passed away.
Another of Isma'il's brothers, al-Ashraf Kujuk, had been a very young sultan before Isma'il. He also passed away during this time.
End of Reign
In July 1345, Isma'il became very ill. He passed away in August of that year. His stepfather, Arghun al-Ala'i, helped Isma'il's full brother, al-Kamil Sha'ban, become the next sultan.
Sultan Isma'il's Legacy
Historians have different views on Sultan Isma'il. A Mamluk historian named Ibn Taghribirdi thought Isma'il was the best of his father's sons. However, another historian, Peter Malcolm Holt, felt that Isma'il did not make a huge impact during his short time as sultan.
Still, a Mamluk historian named Ibrahim al-Qaysarani praised Isma'il. He called him a "renewer" of the Islamic faith. This was because Isma'il ruled near the end of the first 100 years of Mamluk rule.
