Sultanate of Harar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sultanate of Harar
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| Early 16th century – 1577 | |||||||||
 Flag
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| Status | Sultanate | ||||||||
| Capital | Harar | ||||||||
| Common languages | Harari, Somali, Afar, Oromo | ||||||||
| Religion | Islam | ||||||||
| Demonym(s) | Harari, Afar, Somali | ||||||||
| Government | Sultanate | ||||||||
| Sultan | |||||||||
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• 1550-1567
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Nur ibn Mujahid | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
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• Established
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Early 16th century | ||||||||
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• Battle of Fatagar
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1559 | ||||||||
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• Disestablished
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1577 | ||||||||
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| Today part of | Ethiopia | ||||||||
The Sultanate of Harar was a Muslim state located in what is now Harar, Ethiopia. It took over from the Adal Sultanate. During this time, the Harar Sultanate was led by Amīr Nūr. He continued the fight against the Ethiopian Empire, a struggle started by the Adal leader Imām Aḥmed Gurēy.
The Sultanate of Harar did not last very long, only about 18 years. This was because the Oromo people were moving in from the south. Also, threats from the Somali people in the northeast blocked Harar's access to the coast. The capital city was later moved east to a place called Aussa. This new capital was founded by Imām Maḥamed "Jāsa" Ibrahim, who started the Imamate of Awsa.
Contents
History of Harar
Starting the Sultanate
After the death of Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, his nephew Nur ibn Mujahid became the new Amir, or Sultan, of Harar. The kingdom was in a difficult state. So, Nur spent most of his time making Harar's defenses stronger. He even built the famous great wall around the city.
Nur ibn Mujahid also inherited a war. He married Bati del Wambara, who was the widow of Ahmed Gragn. She helped him become a confident leader. She also guided him in his battles against the Ethiopian Empire.
Battles with Ethiopia
After a leader named Garad Abbas died, the Ethiopian king Gelawdewos took over many Muslim areas. Only Harar remained independent. The Ethiopian king focused on the southwestern part of Ethiopia. This gave Nur ibn Mujahid a chance to fight back.
Nur invaded areas called Bale and Dawaro to weaken the Ethiopian emperor. He then planned to invade Fetegar. But in 1550, the Ethiopian Governor Fanu’el stopped him. The war continued, and Governor Fanu’el pushed the Harari army back.
Nur's first campaign was tough, and it took him nine years to recover. In 1559, he gathered a large army. It included 1800 horsemen and 500 riflemen, plus many fighters with swords and bows. This time, he successfully invaded Fetegar.
King Gelawdewos saw Nur as a big threat. He sent his governors to destroy Harar. But Nur was away fighting in Kaffa. The two governors attacked and looted Harar. When Gelawdewos found out Nur was in Fetegar, he decided to lead his own army.
The two armies met on March 23, 1559, at the Battle of Fatagar. It is said that a Harari rifleman shot the Ethiopian king. The king was then attacked by Harari cavalry and killed. Nur sent the king's head to the land of Sa'ad ad-Din II.
Nur's Challenges
After Nur's victory in Fatagar, the Oromo people attacked his army. Nur suffered a big defeat. Oromo tribes then raided Harar, and the city became very crowded. This led to a disease called typhus, which caused Nur's death.
After Nur, a former slave named Isman al-Habashi became Sultan (1567–1569). He spent most of his rule fighting with other powerful families.
The Fall of Harar
In 1572, the Sultan of Harar was executed by the Ethiopian emperor. At the same time, the Oromo people raided Harar. This left Harar without a leader and close to falling apart.
Rulers of Harar
| Bāti Dēlōmbira Mahfuz | 1543–1559 | She was the daughter of Emir Mahfuz and the widow of Imām Aḥmed Gurēy. She was the main ruler after his death and married Amīr Nūr. | |
| 1 | Amīr Nūr "Dhuhi-Suha" ʿAli | 1559–1567 | He was the Amir of Harar. He built the walls around Harar. He also helped the people of Harar unite as one nation. |
| 2 | Amīr ʿIsmān "AlḤabashi" | 1567–1569 | He was a former slave who became Sultan. He was killed soon after, leading to fights over who would rule Harar next. |
| 3 | Sulṭān Ṭalḥa ʿAbbās | 1569–1571 | He was the son of Wazir ʿAbbās Abūn. |
| 4 | Sulṭān Nāssir ʿIsmān | 1571–1572 | He was the son of Amīr ʿIsmān AlḤabashi. |
| 5 | Sulṭān Maḥamed Nāssir | 1572–1573 | He was the son of Sulṭān Nāssir ʿIsmān. He was executed by Emperor Sarsa Dengel. The Harari army was greatly weakened after his failed invasion of Ethiopia. |
| 6 | Amir Mansūr Maḥamed | 1573–1577 | He was the son of Sulṭān Maḥamed Nāssir. He defeated Oromo, Somali, and Afar tribes. He also took back areas like Zeila and Aussa for the Emirate. |
See also
In Spanish: Sultanato de Adel para niños
