Gawhar Al-Siqilli

Gawhar the Sicilian (born c. 928-930, died 992) (Arabic: جوهر الصقلي) also called al-Rumi (the Greek) [History of the Arabs, Philip Khôri Hitti, 1949 Macmillan - University of Michigan, p. 619] [The Isma'ilis: Their History and Doctrines, Farhad Daftary, Cambridge University Press – Publisher, p.169 ] [Archiv orientální, Orientální ústav, Stanford University, Ceskoslovenské akademie, p. 563] [The Egyptians, Barbara Watterson, Blackwell Publishing – Publisher, p.257 ] [Arabic Historians refer to Western Byzantine Greeks as Rumis] ["Great Ismaili Heroes, p. 23] main transliteration: Gawhar as-Siqilli al-Rumi was the most important military leader in the Fatimid history. He founded the city of Cairo and the great al-Azhar mosque.

Biography

Gawhar was a Sicilian Mamluk of Greek origin. [S. H. Prince Aly,S. Khan Colony, Religious Night School, The Great Ismaili Heroes: Contains the Life Sketches and the Works of Thirty Great Ismaili Figures, University of Michigan, p.23] [Syrian Ismailism: The Ever Living Line of the Imamate, A.D.1100-1260, Nasseh Ahmad Mirza, Routledge, p. 110] [The Egyptians, Barbara Watterson, Blackwell Publishing – Publisher, p.257 ] [ [http://www.amaana.org/heroes/note010.htm Ismaili Heroes - Jawhar As- Siqilli - note010 ] ] His family originated from the Emirate of Sicily (hence the epithet الصقلي = "the Sicilian"), and came as a slave to North Africa. He was sent to the Caliph Ismail al-Mansur on account of his intelligence and cunning. Under his son al-Muizz (953-975) he gained his freedom and became his personal secretary. Soon he was Vizir and the highest-ranking military commander of the Fatimids. In this role he resumed the expansion of the Fatimids and, together with the Zirids, conquered Fez in Northern Morocco, and pushed towards the Atlantic. Only the strongholds of Ceuta and Tangier could be retained by the Umayyads of Córdoba.

after a siege at Giza. The conquest was prepared by a treaty with the Vizir of the Ikhshidids (by which Sunnis would be guaranteed freedom of religion), so the Fatimids encountered little resistance. Afterwards Gawhar ruled Egypt until 972 as viceroy.

In this capacity he founded the city of Cairo on 969 at Fostat, to serve as the new residence of the Fatimid Caliphs, [cite web|url=http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/196905/cairo-a.millennial.htm|title=Cairo, a Millennial|accessdate=2007-08-09|author=Irene Beeson|pages= 24, 26-30 |date=September/October 1969|publisher=Saudi Aramco World] and the al-Azhar mosque on 970. Although Palestine was occupied after the conquest of Egypt, Syria could not be overcome, following a defeat at the hands of the Carmathians at Damascus. However, when the Carmatians overran Egypt, Gawhar was able to defeat them north of Cairo on the 22 December 970, although the struggle continued until 974. To secure the southern border of Egypt a legation was sent to the Christian land of Nubia.

After the establishment of the residence at Cairo, Gawhar fell into disfavour with al-Muizz. Under his successor al-Aziz (975-996) however, in whose accession to the throne Gawhar played an important role, he was rehabilitated. He was regent again until 979, but was finally stripped of power after a campaign against Syria was once again defeated near Damascus.

Gawhar died on 1 February 992.

Notes

References

*S. H. Prince Aly, S. Khan Colony, Religious Night School, "The Great Ismaili Heroes: Contains the Life Sketches and the Works of Thirty Great Ismaili Figures", University of Michigan

External links

* [http://www.amaana.org/heroes/note010.htm Complete biography of Gawhar as-Siqilli] .