The Central Asian Ties of a Tenth-Century Muslim Ruler in Egypt
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THE CENTRAL ASIAN TIES OF A TENTH-CENTURY MUSLIM RULER IN EGYPT Jere L. Bacharach University of Washington (Seattle) he sultans who ruled Egypt and Syria between 648 Al-Ikhshid, whose full name was Abu Bakr T AH/1250 CE and 792/1390 were born in Central Muhammad ibn Tughj ibn Juff, was the third Asia or were direct descendants of Central Asians. generation of his family to serve the ‘Abbasid The earlier Tulunid dynasty (254–92/868–905) was caliphate.1 His grandfather, Juff, was among the founded by the son of a Central Asian named Tulun mamluks imported from non-Islamic Central Asia, who had been brought into the Islamic world to serve probably the Ferghana region. His father, Tughj, in the ‘Abbasid caliph’s military as a mamluk (slave began his career in Iraq where Muhammad b. Tughj soldier). There is very little evidence that in either was born on 15 Rajab 268/8 February 882. Tughj went period these military rulers highlighted their Central on to serve the Tulunid dynasty of Egypt and Syria. Asian origins through titles or the use of symbols He held the governorships of Damascus, Tiberias, and specifically tied to their family origins (Treadwell 2017, Aleppo and was one of the most important Tulunid p. 37). An exception is the policies of one Muhammad generals.2 Muhammad b. Tughj gained his first ibn Tughj ibn Juff (323–34/935–46), the grandson of administrative and military experience during this a Central Asian-born mamluk, who established rule period, serving as governor of Tiberias for his father over Egypt and Palestine of the dynasty known as the (Ibn Saʻīd 1899, p. 5). Ikhshidids (323–58/935–69). In 292/905 the ‘Abbasid general Muhammad Evidence to demonstrate Ibn Tughj’s memory of ibn Sulayman ended the Tulunid dynasty. Tughj his family’s Central Asian origin can be found in successfully transferred his allegiance to Muhammad two types of historical data. The medieval narrative ibn Sulayman and was rewarded the governorship sources record how Ibn Tughj sought from the ruling of Aleppo. This momentary change in fortune ‘Abbasid caliph in Baghdad an honorific title (laqab) came to naught as Tughj’s new patron was arrested at a time when holding a caliphal granted laqab was and charged with withholding tribute from the considered prestigious. What made his request unique caliphal court. The general, Tughj, and his two sons was that he wanted the title, al-Ikhshid, a Central Muhammad and ‘Ubayd Allah were all imprisoned Asian pre-Islamic title. The first half of this article will (Ibn al-ʻAdīm 1951, p. 91; Ibn Taghrī Birdī 1943/3, p. analyze that story. 135). Tughj died in prison in 294/906, while his sons The second historical source is numismatic, that were released shortly thereafter. is, a coin struck by Muhammad ibn Tughj in Egypt. As the second part of this article will show, the coin Political intrigues in Baghdad in 296/908 forced includes a design which is uniquely Central Asian Muhammad ibn Tughj to flee to Syria, where he 3 and is evidence that memory of symbols from a pre- found a new patron. Within a year Ibn Tughj was in Islamic Central Asian world survived in that of 4th/10th Egypt continuing in the service of the same man and century Egypt. In analyzing this coin, we will first later his son. His career took another step forward consider how one can (and cannot) use numismatic when another governor of Egypt made him governor evidence. of Amman and the region east of the Jordan River. Career opportunities continued to improve for him as Political Background he built up marriage alliances and political ties with In 358/969, Sunni ‘Abbasid Egypt was conquered by key figures in Baghdad. He established a stronger the Fatimids, an Isma‘ili Shi’ite dynasty. During the administrative and military record with another stint preceding 35 years Egypt, Palestine and occasionally in Egypt and then the governorship of Damascus. This other parts of Greater Syria was governed by one line of progress culminated with his appointment as family (or its leading military figure) known as the the governor of Egypt with a letter reaching Fustat Ikhshidids. (part of modern Cairo) on 7 Ramadan 321/31 August Copyright © 2017 Jere L. Bacharach The Silk Road 15 (2017): 59 – 64 59 Copyright © 2017 The Silkroad Foundation 933 to that effect. Muhammad ibn Tughj was in overlord, the Caliph al-Radi in Baghdad. In 326/938 Damascus at the time and sent an agent to Egypt as his Ibn Tughj asked the caliph for an honorary title (laqab), representative.4 Thirty-two days later, the ‘Abbasid specifically for the laqab al-Ikhshid. The granting of a caliph named someone else as governor of Egypt and laqab was not unusual, but it was normally associated Muhammad ibn Tughj’s first governorship ended with a particular military or political event. For without his ever entering the country. example, slightly earlier a eunuch and military leader In Baghdad, the ‘Abbasid Caliph al-Qahir (320– in Baghdad received a laqab for his victory over the 22/932–34) was blinded and removed from office Fatimids. Another very important military family in on 6 Jumada I, 322/29 April 934 and al-Radi (322 Iraq, the Hamdanids, received their laqabs for their –29/934–40) was proclaimed the new caliph. By military actions on behalf of the ‘Abbasid caliph, and 323/935 political and economic conditions in Egypt the Buyids, another extended family but this time had reached an almost anarchical state. The troops of with Shi’ite tendencies, when controlling Baghdad the appointed governor were rioting over their lack forced the Sunni ‘Abbasid caliph to award them their of pay; the homes of the financial minister were being laqabs. Muhammad ibn Tughj did not receive his laqab looted; the son of a former governor was attempting to al-Ikhshid for a specific military action, nor was he in establish his own governorship; the populace of Fustat a position in Iraq to force the caliph to award it. He was suffering economic tribulations; and bedouin acquired it through bribery, gifts, court connections, raids on agricultural settlements had increased. In and possible threats to support the Shi’ite Fatimids the middle of the crisis, news of the appointment (or in North Africa. Not only was the method by which technically, reappointment) of Muhammad b. Tughj Muhammad ibn Tughj acquired his laqab unusual, but as governor reached Egypt. The promotion of the also so was the title. governor of Damascus was the result of his connections The most common laqab for powerful figures in in Baghdad including important marriage ties (for the ‘Abbasid world were formed by an appropriate details, see Bacharach 1975, pp. 592–94). The situation descriptive noun, e.g. Sayf or sword, combined with al- in Egypt deteriorated further before his arrival with Dawla (implying the State or, in this case, the caliph’s a rebellion of pro-Fatimid military forces in Egypt government). Buyids, Hamdanids and even an earlier calling upon the Shi’ite Caliph-Imam in North Africa ‘Abbasid wazir had laqabs in which the second part for military aid.5 This time Muhammad b. Tughj went was al-Dawla, but Muhammad ibn Tughj did not. to Egypt with a contingent of his own troops. It is possible that the acquisition of a laqab, which al-Dawla Upon his arrival, Ibn Tughj quickly set about included implied a relationship in which the establishing his control. By the end of 324/November individual was, theoretically, a defender of the caliph 936 Ikhshidid forces had effectively defeated the pro- and the ‘Abbasid caliphate. While Muhammad ibn Fatimid forces. Due to their own internal problems Tughj fit the latter definition in his role as defender and the leadership in Egypt of Muhammad ibn Tughj of Sunni lands against the Isma‘ili Shi’ite Fatimids, he and his effective successor, the African eunuch, Kafur, was not in Baghdad protecting the reigning caliph. laqab the Fatimids would not attack Egypt again until Muhammad b. Tughj specifically requested the the country found itself facing serious political and al-Ikhshid that is, a title held by pre-Islamic Central economic problems in 358/969 (for an overview, see Asian rulers. Lev 1988). To ensure continuity and stability within When Ibn Tughj’s request for this title reached the Egypt, Ibn Tughj accepted the former governor and reigning ‘Abbasid caliph al-Radi, the caliph asked his treasurer into his administration and moved against chamberlain what the term meant. He was informed raiding tribal groups and looters, making looting that it referred to the “King of the Farghanians,” just a capital crime. He then used the revenues coming as other titles were applied to kings of other peoples into his hands to build up his own military forces. (Ibn Saʻīd 1899, p. 23; Ibn Taghrī Birdī 1944/4, p. 237). Arguing from silence is always dangerous but the lack The caliph then replied that as Muhammad ibn Tughj of references to internal economic problems in Egypt was descended from a Farghanian, that is from his during Muhammad b. Tughj’s years as governor grandfather Juff, ”we will not be stingy with him on creates the impression that he was successful in this account” (Ibn Saʻīd 1899, p. 23). The wording in establishing relative peace and prosperity.6 the chronicles suggests that it may have been a put- down by the caliph and his court (Bates 2001, p. 284). The title al-Ikhshid Muhammad b.